BCI's November Grindhouse Releases!

At the Grindhouse, action is an equal-opportunity employer. Why should the guys have all the fun shooting, blowing up things and bringing the villains to justice? On November 13^th, BCI, a Navarre Corporation Company, under their cult label Deimos, continues the critically acclaimed “Welcome to the Grindhouse” double feature DVD series with a double-feature double-threat of female action spectaculars! Boasting all-new anamorphic widescreen transfers, original theatrical trailers and theater ads, these Grindhouse releases are gentle reminders that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! SRP is $12.98 for each and pre-book date is October 5, 2007

Welcome to the Grindhouse: Superchick and Hustler Squad

A super charged girl! Always ready for action…any kind!

Boasting a cast including future TV astrologer Joyce Jillson, Uschi Digard (Russ Meyer’s Supervixens) and film legend John Carradine, Superchick (1974) spins the sexy tale of Tara B. True (Jillson), a brunette airline stewardess who, at every stop, transforms herself into a blonde buxom dynamo -- ready to party with a different lover in each lay-over! Don’t miss the cameo from future 1980s porn legend Candy Samples!

You pay for the pleasure…the killing is free!

In Hustler Squad (1976), an unlikely group of freedom fighters – professional prostitutes – are recruited by the U.S. Army to perform a dangerous and quite unorthodox military mission. Starring John Ericson (7 Faces of Dr. Lao) and Karen Ericson (Night of the Demons).

Welcome to the Grindhouse: Policewomen and Las Vegas Lady

Cold steel on the outside…all woman on the inside!

Policewomen (1974) stars Sondra Currie as a beautiful but tough policewoman who gets a dangerous assignment to break up a mob of women criminals – by infiltrating the gang!

If you can’t beat the system…rob it!

With a stellar cast including Stella Stevens (The Poseidon Adventure), Stuart Whitman (Night of the Lepus), George DiCenzo (Back to the Future), Lynne Moody (“Roots”), and Tony Bill (Pee Wee’s Big Adventure), Las Vegas Lady (1975) is a suspense-filled comedy about a female gang that plans a daring caper in the gambling capital of the world – Las Vegas ! Gambling, heists, love and intrigue – Las Vegas Lady is Ocean’s Eleven with a sexy, retro twist!

Welcome to the Grindhouse: Superchick / Hustler Squad

Street Date: November 13, 2007
Catalog #: 47995-9
Running Time: 192 Minutes
Rating: R
Retail Price: $12.98

Welcome to the Grindhouse: Policewomen / Las Vegas Lady

Street Date: November 13, 2007
Catalog #: 47996-9
Running Time: 186 Minutes
Rating: R
Retail Price: $12.98

The Latest in Euro-Horror from BCI: A Terrifying Two-fer!

PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

WITH A FEAST OF EURO-HORROR FROM BCI!

“THE LORELEY’S GRASP”AND

“HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB”

Available For the First Time, Remastered in High Definition;

Serving on DVD November 13th

Los Angeles , CA – What better way to usher in the holidays than with a heaping helping of Euro-horror? BCI Eclipse, a Navarre Corporation Company, under their Deimos label, unveils the latest additions to their ever-growing Euro-horror library with the November 13^th DVD release of Amando de Ossorio’s The Loreley’s Grasp (Las Garras de Lorelei) and Horror Rises from the Tomb (El Espanto Surge de la Tumba), starring and written by Spanish horror film icon Paul Naschy. Continuing its dedication to preserving and presenting classic Euro-horror films on DVD , Deimos presents these two classic horror films for the first time in their most complete, uncut original versions, remastered from the original negative in high definition. For side dishes, each film boasts a tasty selection of bonus features, including the original Castilian and English-dubbed audio tracks, theatrical trailers, photo galleries and alternate scenes. SRP is a paltry $19.98 for each title. Order date is October 5^th.

Written and directed by Amando de Ossorio, The Loreley’s Grasp reaches out from the depths. In a university town by the Rhine river, young women are turning up dead…savagely torn to pieces and their hearts ripped out of their bodies. With casualties mounting and local authorities at a loss, helpless to find who – or what – is causing these horrible murders, a nearby school for young women hires an experienced hunter to find and kill the murderer. The hunter will soon find out that horror is only skin deep and that his target is an alluring and mysterious being – the Loreley – who is already searching for another victim to use in a gruesome ancient ritual.

Written by Jacinto Molina (aka Paul Naschy) and directed by Carlos Aured, Horror Rises from the Tomb is another terrifying chapter in the Euro-horror legacy of Paul Naschy. In 15^th century France, the warlock Alaric de Marnac is beheaded for crimes against humanity and his equally guilty mistress also viciously killed, but not before the pair put a curse upon the descendents of their executioners. Featuring midnight séances, the undead rising from marshes, generous doses of nudity, blood-drenching heart-ripping and eerie atmosphere, Horror Rises from the Tomb rightfully deserves its place of a hallmark of Euro-horror.

The Loreley’s Grasp hands out these gripping special features:

o Complete, uncut version
o Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
o Liner notes by author Mirek Lipinski (www.naschy.com) with rare photos and stills
o Two audio tracks: In Castilian with English subtitles and English dubbed track
o U.S. Theatrical trailer
o Spanish credit sequence
o Still gallery

Bonus features emerging from Horror Rises from the Tomb include:

o Complete, uncut version
o Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)
o Two Audio Tracks: In Castilian with English Subtitles and English Dubbed Track
o Introduction by star Paul Naschy
o Liner notes by author Mirek Lipinski (www.naschy.com) with rare photos and stills
o Audio Commentary with Writer/Star Paul Naschy and Director Carlos Aured, moderated by Angel Gomez Rivera
o Still gallery of photos from the film & posters and other advertising materials from around the world
o U.S. Theatrical Trailer
o Spanish Credit Sequence

The Loreley’s Grasp (Las Garras De Lorelei)

Street Date: November 13, 2007
Catalog #: 47162-9
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Rating: NR
Retail Price: $19.98

Horror Rises from the Tomb (El Espanto Surge De La Tumba)

Street Date: November 13, 2007
Catalog #: 47163-9
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Rating: NR
Retail Price: $19.98

The Lastest Specis for BCI's Welcome to the Grindhouse!

The month of October finds the leaves turning, daylight hours getting shorter and the weather cooling down. But at the Grindhouse the action is just starting to heat up…with the sexiest and toughest ladies! BCI, a Navarre Corporation Company, presents the latest additions to the “Welcome to the Grindhouse” series with two all-new double feature DVDs premiering on October 2nd. Each double feature DVD features anamorphic widescreen transfers, original theatrical trailers and theater ads. Girls, Girls, Girls! is the marquee theme for October. SRP is $12.98 each.

Welcome to the Grindhouse: Coach and The Beach Girls

In Coach (1978), a young blonde, beautiful woman is hired to coach a team of underachieving basketball players and, against all odds, leads them to victory. Starring Cathy Lee Crosby (“That’s Incredible”), Michael Biehn (Terminator, Grindhouse) and Keenan Wynn (Dr. Strangelove).

The Beach Girls (1982) is a coming-of-age story about a studious young woman who changes during her summer vacation from a bespectacled bookworm into a femme fatale. Starring Debra Blee, Playboy playmate Jeana Tomasina, James Daughton (National Lampoon’s Animal House) and Adam Roarke (Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry).

Welcome to the Grindhouse: The Hellcats and Chain Gang Women

The Hellcats (1974) was perhaps the first film of its kind. Viciousness, brutality, drug-dealing, even honesty and love are all part of this fast-paced, action-packed film about female motorcycle gangs.

Chained like animals…treated like trash! Chain Gang Women (1971) tells the shocking, brutal story of two female convicts, whose daring escape starts a trail of violence, rape and murder, forever feeling the touch of their unleashed, primitive cravings! Stars Michael Stearns (Battle for the Planet of the Apes), Barbara Mills (The Stewardesses), Linda York and Wes Bishop (Race with the Devil).

Coach / The Beach Girls

Street Date: October 2, 2007
Catalog #: 47967-9
Running Time: 191 Minutes
Rating: R
Retail Price: $12.98

The Hellcats / Chain Gang Women

Street Date: October 2, 2007
Catalog #: 47968-9
Running Time: 175 Minutes
Rating: R
Retail Price: $12.98

Food of the Gods Screencaps

Review to follow (really)

Duel at the Supreme Gate Screencaps Rarescope

Sorry about the past week.

Understanding supplemental jurisdiction and contracts can take a lot of time. Don't worry we have a ton of screencaps for you today and tomorrow along with a lot of reviews. We are planning full screencaps for the new Universal Horror set coming out this Tuesday.

The Lost World 1925 and 1960 Screencaps

Review to follow in the next few days.

Commando Screencaps

The review will follow later this afternoon. Suffice to say, this disc is awesome.

Todays Queue

Hey,

Sorry for the slow weekend, but its going to be a fast paced week.

Today:
1. Commando DVD Review and Screencaps
2. Food of the Gods DVD Review and Screencaps.
3. The Lost World 1960 and 1925 DVD Review and Screencaps.

We hope you're going to enjoy this fact paced week of great content!


Ian

EXILED Review

It's not hard for me to invest some emotion into a movie. I just have a problem when the movie doesn't go out of its way to tell me I should be feeling something. In Johnnie To's latest film EXILED, things happen but they're presented in a way such that I'm not sure I should care.

The film opens up with assassins played by various famous HK actors converging on the home of a friend who had been exiled from Macao for trying to kill Boss Fay. He has come back to settle things so that his wife and newborn baby may live a good life, but Fay wants his revenge. When Wo, the exiled one, returns, a gun battle breaks out, and in a reoccurring problem, the battle is so shrouded in darkness, it was difficult to tell exactly what was happening. They're in an apartment, and it's a bright, clear day. How fucking hard would it have been to open a window and save on candles? Anyway, when the baby starts crying after 100 bullets have been fired (I guess he could sleep through 99), everyone stops and starts moving furniture into the apartment! Then the cook dinner and eat by candle light! Qué romántico! At about the 20 minute mark, the movie finally clues us in as to the extent of their bond. They were friends from school. And it tells us with a single picture shown for 2 seconds. Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words, but it takes 20 mintutes just for that. The guys aren't the most emotional people, either. It's a very reserved 20-minute sequence, set in darkness to the tune of a minimalist score. It's somnolent, is what I'm trying to tell you.

Exiled is playing in limited release now.

The rest of the film concerns the group of friends trying to pull off a last couple jobs to get the money Wo's family will need to sustain themselves even in the event of his death. As I said, things happen in this movie. And some of these things should be more evocative and exciting than they are. There are some pretty cool ideas in this movie, but they're presented with such little emotion that I found myself hard pressed to feel anything. Even when the wife goes batshit insane after finding out her husband is dead, she's actually pretty quiet and reserved. It wasnt a problem of hiring the living dead to perform. It was a problem of hiring Vulcans. Even the final gun battle, in which you see the outcome coming a mile away given the rest of the film's bleakness, doesn't work as well as it should given the circumstances.

Maybe you'll have a better experience than I did. Maybe the picture will be clearer, and you can tell who's shooting at whom. Maybe you'll be able to get past the emotional reserve of the characters and lack of a musical score. You might find this to be a very good and exciting movie. I just couldn't do that.

HKCFN's D-Wars Podcast!

Derek and I tackle some of the great issues surrounding D-War's including:

1. The progressive casting of the living dead.
2. Ham Ham Ham
3. So much other INSANE stuff for about 81 minutes!

Enjoy

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=1091GG2J

FLK Rare of the Day: The Challanger

Some amazing rares from the Godfathers of the rare kung fu movie: Flashlegs Rare!

Starring David Chiang, Tsui Tsui Keung, Phillip Kao Fei

UFC Fight Night 11 Preview and Predictions: By Keith Shillan

UFC Fight Night 11 Preview and Predictions: By Keith Shillan

9 crazy days of MMA continues this Wednesday when the UFC Fight Night 11 airs on Spike TV followed by the season premier of The Ultimate Fighter Season 6. Thursday has the finals of the Internation Fight League. Pat Miletich’s Quad City Silverbacks tries to three peat when they meet Renzo Gracie’s New York Pitbulls( No Michael Vick jokes). Then on Saturday the UFC returns on PPV with UFC 76. It has 3 blockbuster fights as Chuck “the Iceman” Liddell starts his comeback trail for the UFC Light Heavyweight title when he takes on the very tough “Dean of Mean” Keith Jardine. The top Light Heavyweight fighter in the world Maurico “Shogun” Rua enters the octagon for the first time, when he fight the fan favorite Forrest Griffin. There is also a Welterweight showdown when Diego “the Nightmare” Sanchez takes on Jon Fitch. The nine days ends on Sunday, with UK’s fight organization Cage Rage. Yet, before I get to those fights, we should take a look at the fights that are going to be aired this Wednesday.

Nate “the Rock” Quarry vs Pete “Drago” Sell

It has been nearly two years since we last seen TUF 1 alumni Nate Quarry. Nate started his UFC career with a bash. He won his first 3 fights all by KO/TKO. He looked to have been on a steady road to the UFC Middleweight title. At that time, the UFC Middleweight picture was a mess. The then champion, Rich Franklin had no real contender to face. So the UFC decided to throw the very new Nate Quarry at him. Franklin proved that Quarry was not yet a top fighter, as Franklin annihilated him. He landed big left crosses at will, and then finished the fight with a KO that is just scary. The last image we have a Quarry is an unconscious body laying in the octagon canvas. Quarry would then suffer an very serious neck/back injury that threatened his fighting career. Many believed that Quarry would not be able to return.

Quarry’s last win in the UFC was a very quick TKO over Pete Sell. In the first, round of their matchup, Quarry landed a shot that dropped Sell and referee Cecil Peoples jumped in to stop the fight. It seemed though that Sell had recovered from the shot and was able to continue. This fight was a very controversial fight, which many fans (myself included) thought was stopped immaturely. Quarry will try to answer three questions with this fight. First, he can return from his past injury and be effective. Second, that he deserved the TKO win over Sell in the first fight. Third, that he deserved his title shot, and is a top fighter.

Pete Sell has redemption on his mind. He wants to show that he could have beaten Quarry the first time, if the fight wasn’t stopped early. He also wants to show that he belongs in the UFC. He has not been to impressive lately. First, he lost a unanimous decision to Travis Lutter on TUF 4. He would then get KO’d by Scott Smith. Finally he would then get smoked by Thales Leites, losing by unanimous decision.

The key to this fight for Quarry is to keep this fight standing and use his better striking. He may also want to use the clinch. Sell is a student under UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra, so he has a very good submission game. Sell does have heavy hands, but Quarry is the better striker. Look for Sell to try to take this fight to the ground. Though Quarry will probable have a lot of ring rust, I expect him to win a very close standup war. Quarry by unanimous decision.

Nate Diaz vs Junior Assuncao

Nate Diaz is very similar to his older brother Nick. They are charismatic, cocky, and tough. Nate became a big star during his run on TUF 5. His mouth talked a lot, and his fighting backed it up. During the show, he first won a tough fight over Rob Emerson, winning by decision. He then would go on to submit both Corey Hill and Gray Maynard. He would take on Manny Gamburyan for the season title. It seemed like Nate was having a tough time with Manny until Manny suffered a freak injury, that caused Nate to win the fight.

Nate has an awesome submission game. He is constantly looking for submissions while on his back. His striking is similar to his brother’s. It is very unorthodox. He uses small pitter pat shots that slowly adds up and damages his opponent. Assuncao is a BJJ expert with a UFC record of 1-1. He will be looking to take this fight to the ground and will be looking for a ground and pound submission or a submission. A win over Diaz would really help Assuncao propel his career in the UFC Lightweight rankings. However, I see Diaz damaging Assuncao on the feet and winning by decision.

Chris “ the Crippler” Leben vs Terry Martin

Leben started his UFC career with a bang. After his stint on the original season of TUF, he went on a 5 fight winning streak. He stopped three of those opponents by either TKO or submission. He would then hit a road block named Anderson Silva. Silva gave Leben a lesson in Muay Thai by knocking Leben out in only 49 seconds. Leben would then rebound with a KO over Jorge Santiago. He would then lose his last two fights. First being submitted Jason MacDonald and losing a unanimous decision to Kalib Starnes.

Leben has a very solid chin and loves to slug it out. He has very heavy hands and a very underrated submission game. He is in a desperate need for a win. A loss here would probable send Leben to the WEC.

Terry Martin career has been on the total opposite road then Leben. Martin started as a Light Heavyweight and lost his first two UFC fights. He would then move down to Middleweight and it has been all success since. He would first knockout out Jorge Rivera in only 14 seconds and then would knockout out Ivan Salaverry in the first round of their matchup, by a big slam. Martin has made himself a serious contender in the UFC. Martin has very heavy hands and a good wrestling. Look for this fight to be an absolute slugfest. Leben might have an advantage in the later rounds because Martin has gassed in the past. I however don’t expect this fight to go long. I see Martin winning by TKO in round one. I also expect him to call out the winner of Anderson Silva vs Rich Franklin.

Kenny “KenFlo” Florian vs Din “Dinyero” Thomas

I am very excited about the main event. It puts to top Lightweight contender against each other. Both fighters are very similar. Both are very well rounded fight games and really bad nicknames. However the winner here could possible be fighting BJ Penn for the UFC Lightweight title (If Sean Sherk is stripped for steroid use).

Kenny has really changed people’s opinions about him since his time on the Ultimate Fighter. Kenny was fighting at Middleweight on the show. He would be the smallest fighter in the house and it showed during the finals. Diego Sanchez overpowered the smaller Florian and ground and pounded Florian to a TKO win. Florian would then move to Lightweight and would achieve great success. Kenny would win his first three UFC lightweight fight, stopping all by either TKO or submissions. Kenny would be matched up against Sean Sherk for the vacant UFC Lightweight belt. Many (Myself included) didn’t think Kenny deserved the title shot and expect Sherk to easily beat Florian in the first round. Though Sherk won the fight failry easily, the fight went the entire 25 minutes. Kenny showed a great heart, strong cardio, and that he can take a beaten. Kenny would rebound from this lost with 2 submission victories, first over Dokonjonsuke Mishima and then Alvin Robinson.

Din Thomas has been a UFC Lightweight journey man for a while. He has many ups and downs over the years. Din would enter the UFC in June 2001. He lost by strikes to BJ Penn. He would bounce back from that lost with a win over Fabiano Iha. Din would then lose a decision to Caol Uno but win a decision over current UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra. Din would leave the UFC and fight in smaller organizations. Din seemed unfocused and struggled only going 3-3 in that span. Din would return to the UFC as a part of TUF 4. He would get a win over Mikey Burnett but would lose a close decision to Chris Lytle. Since the show, Din seemed like a top Lightweight contender again. He would enter this fight on a three straight UFC wins. He would beat Rich Clementi, Clay Guida, and Jeremy Stephens.

This fight is a extremely hard fight to pick. Both fighters seem to be on a roll right now. Both have awesome BJJ but I think the striking is what will make the difference. Din has faster hands and is better technically. Kenny has the better Muay Thai style. He uses great leg kicks and uses his razor elbows greatly. I have changed my mind many times on this fight. It could be an absolute war. I am taking Din in a razor close split decision.

Prelims:

Thiago Alves vs Kuniyoshi Hironake: Alves by split decision

Luke Cummo vs Edilberto Crocota: Cummo by 3^rd KO

Leonard Garcia vs Cole Miller: Garcia by decision

Gray Maynard vs JoeVeres: Maynard by 1rd TKO

Dustin Hazelett vs Jonathan Goulet: Goulet by decision

Triad Election Screenshots

Triad Election DVD Review

Triad Election (aka Election 2) DVD Review


Video: The DVD transfer of Triad Election by Tartan seems to be an excellent port of the transfer used by the Panorama DVD released in Hong Kong. The title card still says Election 2. Triad Election simply appears as a soft sub. The colors are vibrant and picture is excellent with no defects on the image at all. Triad Election is the correct aspect ratio of 2:35:1 and anamorhpically enhanced.

Audio: The DVD comes with three tracks Cantonese. DTS, 5.1, and 2.0 are available, but we only sampled the 5.1 as our system does not support DTS. The 5.1 mix is excellent with great bass and surround sound. Its free of any hiss or defects. This is the same with the 2.0 track. The soundtrack by Robert Ellis-Geiger sounds wonderful in this mix and greatly helps to add to the film.

Extras: Tartan’s port offers most of the extras from the Panorama Hong Kong disc with the exception of TV spots. The disc features some very interesting interviews. One with Lam Suet who reveals he was actually the inspiration for the spoon eating scene in Election. It runs about 17 minutes. There is also an interview with Lam Ka Tung and runs 14 minutes. There is also a making of feature included on the disc, its short and runs around 7 minutes. Rounding out the disc is the original trailer for Triad Election and promos for Tartan.

Overall: If you don’t already have the Election 2 DVD from Hong Kong this is an excellent edition to pickup and comes highly recommend and makes a great gift to get friends and family into the works of Johnnie To.

Link to buy:
Triad Election

Dragon Heat from Dragon Dynasty Specs!

No, its not the Eric Kot film!

Dragon Heat

Synopsis:

When a notorious Triad crime lord disappears shortly before trial, a team of elite Interpol agents must wage an all-out war through the streets of Hong Kong against a mysterious and heavily armed foe to recapture him.

DVD Special Features:

• Feature Commentary With Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan
• The Making Of Dragon Heat
• Deleted Scenes
• Interview With Actor Michael Beihn
• Interview With Lawrence Chow

BASICS

Price: $19.95

Street Date: September 18, 2007

MPAA Rating: NR

Languages: English and Cantonese

Subtitles: English and Spanish

Screen Format: Widescreen

Running time: 110 minutes

Catalog Number: 80264

Closed Captioned

Now how is this for a rare! Duel For Gold English Dubbed.

Enjoy this rare clip of the English Dub for Duel For Gold synced to the Celestial remaster courtesy of Flashlegsrare.

Reviews a go-go!

Starting today where going to start reviewing 16 (yep, you read that right) titles that we received yesterday. The last couple of days of no content was due to an ass load of law school reading. Rest assured, its back to reviews and screencaps.

The titles include
Triad Election aka Election 2
The Lost World Special Edition (1960 and 1925 version)
The Burning
Scarecrows
Sometimes They Come Back
Manhunter
Food of the Gods
The Roger Corman Collection (8 films)

We hope you enjoy the new couple of weeks of reviews! Also you're going to find out Who Framed Boris Karloff!

Throw Some D's on that Bitch: Dragon Wars opens today!

I'm seeing this and I know Derek is also this weekend so you'll have to wait for our formal reviews to appear during the first HKCFN podcast. However, if you like crap and I mean really like crap, this film should be a great time based on everything I've read. Can it surpass A Sound of Thunder and Bloodrayne? Only time will tell. In all fairness Jess and I were the ONLY people to see ASOT in a large King of Prussia multiplex theater, so its going to be tough for Dragon Wars to beat that experience. Still only time will!


http://www.dreadcentral.com/index.php?name=Reviews&req=showcontent&id=1619

Wow, Damn, Nice Job Mei Ah!

From the asiandvdguide.com front page. Its great to see Mei Ah back, and damn talk about a great opening slate!

Mei Ah September 18 Releases
My Heart Is That Eternal Rose (1989) Director: Patrick Tam Cast: Tony Leung, Joey Wang, Kenny Bee Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles DVD-5
People's Hero (1987) Director: Derek Yee Cast: Tony Leung, Ti Lung Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles DVD-5
Angel (1987) aka Iron Angels Director: Teresa Woo Cast: Hideki Saijo, Moon Lee, Alex Fong, Elaine Lui, Yukari Oshima Letterboxed and 16x9 enhanced Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese (Traditional), English, and Chinese (Simplified) subtitles DVD-5

Fridays DVD Deals From Amazon!

Some great deals on DVDs I noticed when going through Amazon today. There all about 50% the normal price.

The Classic Sci-Fi Ultimate Collection Volume 2: Screencaps Disc 1

Sorry, these pictures are a bit out of order thanks to the joy of Photobucket, but I think you can tell which is which. :)

We had 500 hit's in one day!

Wow, thank to everyone for visiting this site yesterday and help us set an all time record for most views in a day! Of course thanks to Mike for his awesome interview which got so many people clicking on links to the site.

An HKCFN Exclusive Interview: Sony's Mike Schlesinger on Sony Genre DVDs (HORROR,SCI-FI and MORE)!

We were very lucky to get this exclusive interview with Sony consultant Mike Schlesinger about Sony's new focus on its classic and genre properties and how it's going to be a great time to be a fan of classic cinema!

1. Mike, a lot of people know you as the man who created the US version of Godzilla 2000 (and the champion of a certain Lost Skeleton from the Bronson Caves), but can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got into the film industry? What is you exact role with Sony right now?

I've been in the biz since I graduated from college in 1973, and been workng the repertory mines since '86, first at MGM/UA, then Paramount, and at Sony since '94. At the beginning of the year, I stepped down from my Veepdom and am now working as a consultant to the company in general, but with an emphasis on getting our library titles out on DVD.

2. What are your own favorite genres and preferences?

Not big on tearjerkers, slasher films and fart comedies, but I like pretty much everything else. I think 1967 was the last truly great year for Hollywood; there certainly have been remarkable films since then, but not as consistently, and there's been an ever-increasing amount of crap. Let the hate mail commence!

3. Sony Home Video has not been well known for its classic releases; in fact, it's been derided for the treatment of its catalog titles. What is responsible for the change of heart and what seems like a new focus on catalog films?

Change in leadership. David Bishop, the new President of SPHE, is very committed to catalog titles. His predecessor--not so much.

4. What led to the release of the Boris Karloff Collection from last year? It caught many fans by surprise. Did it sell well?

My idea, and amazingly, they went for it, though they did not go for any added value. And I really wanted to do a commentary on BOOGIE MAN WILL GET YOU! But hey, at least it did get out. Don't really know how it sold.

5. While people were quite happy with the visual quality of the DVDs, some people were taken aback by the low-tech menus and chapters. Is this something that will be changed for the Sam Katzman boxset?

Well, the menus won't be higher tech, but I think they're much more attractive. And I did the chapter stops myself.

6. Speaking of such, how did the idea of a Sam Katzman boxset come up? The concept of Sony releasing The Giant Claw is just mind-blowing and a wonderful development.

Thank you. Again, my suggestion. Their original selection for an Icons of Horror release had to be postponed due to production problems; I gave them a list of possible replacements, and miracle of miracles, they chose that one.

7. What are the final specs for the films to appear on the DVD and extras?

All are digitally mastered and presented in 1.85:1 and glorious black-and-white. The extras are Chapter 2 of Sam's serial version of MYSTERIOUS ISLAND; a cartoon, TERROR FACES MAGOO; a truly rare comedy short, MIDNIGHT BLUNDERS, and a big bunch of trailers, including the ones for all four features.

8. Deciding the aspect ratio of 1950 films has been a source of controversy recently among film fans. What is the aspect ratio and how did you decide on it for the Sam Katzman boxset?

See above. Nothing to decide, really; by the mid-50s, 1.85:1 was the accepted standard.

9. What are some of the possible future Icons of Horror sets (assuming the Sam Katzman set sells well)?

There'll be a Cushing/Lee set and a Peter Lorre set; hopefully a Toho set, too, but that's really more sci-fi.

10. Does Sony have any plan to release classic properties on Blu-ray yet?

Yes. I believe CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, GHOSTBUSTERS and ON THE WATERFRONT are on the way. I wouldn't hold my breath for THE GIANT CLAW, however!

11. What are the possibilities regarding releases of Sony's Hammer and Toho films?

See above. There'll also be a box of Christopher Lee pirate/adventure films.

12. The Three Stooges have always been a perennial favorite for video releases. What separates this new release from previous ones (in terms of ordering of the set, i.e. years instead of themes)?

Really just the chronological ordering, plus a more reasonable price. There's been some remastering, and hopefully some extras down the line.

13. I assume that the colorization of the Stooges have stopped and will not be resuming?

Yes. That ship has sailed and sunk.

14. What is the possibility of Sony releasing other non-Stooge shorts made by Columbia (i.e. Jules White)?

Well, we've already put out the Buster Keaton shorts, and I'm including shorts with features. I'm hoping for a Charley Chase box set somewhere down the line.

15. Non-genre related is the upcoming release of Golden Boy. What can you tell us about this release and its specs?

First time on DVD, timed to the Barbara Stanwyck centennial. Extras include a cartoon parody, THE KANGAROO KID; a "Glove Slingers" two-reeler, PLEASED TO MITT YOU, with Shemp Howard; a 1930 Screen Snapshot with a 23-year-old Stanwyck learning how to play golf, and--I'm really proud of this--a 1956 episode of "Ford Theatre" that was her first dramatic TV appearance. Nobody's seen it for 50 years!

16. Are the classic titles owned by Sony being remastered in terms of damage cleanup?

Absolutely. Our restoration czar, Grover Crisp, is a real bear about this.

17. Is Sony gearing up to treat its catalog titles on par with their more recent properties in terms of releases and features?

Well, they won't receive the same treatment as, say, SPIDER-MAN; the returns just aren't there. But they're definitely being handled with greater respect than they were before.

18. Are new HD masters being made of genre titles for TV broadcast (such as MonstersHD)?

Don't know. But I would imagine so.

19. Is there anything else you would like to add to this interview?

Go buy THE LOST SKELETON OF CADAVRA. The cult needs to keep growing!

The George Eastman House Restoration of the Lost World is Coming to DVD

As a feature paired along with the Irwin Allen remake! Yes, the mythical restoration only seen at screenings is finally hitting DVDs as confirmed on CHFB.

http://p075.ezboard.com/fmonsterkidclassichorrorforumfrm45.showMessageRange?topicID=1144.topic&start=21&stop=30


Here is a link to Amazon to purchase the DVD (and helps support the website :))

The Lost World Special Edition with George Eastman House Restoration

Get the new Midnite Movies for 8.49!

Thanks to luisj40 at CHFB.

Don't worry if you couldn't find a MM in stores today, because you going to save in the long run!

Amazon is selling 6 of these new MM titles (see below) for $8.49 and if you buy 3 or more they qualify for Free Shipping.

Here's the 6 selling for $8.49

Blueprint for Murder/Man in the Attic

Earth Dies Screaming/Chosen Survivors

Devils Of Darkness / Witchcraft

Gorilla at Large/Mystery on Monster Island

The House on Skull Mountain / The Mephisto Waltz

Tales From the Crypt / Vault of Horror

Searching Tips

Thanks to Capndunsel at CHFB for some extra searching tips.

If you use the Bestbuy search engine for all Scifi released this week, they show most titles discusssed recently (MGM, etc) but not their own release of CLASSIC SCI-FI ULTIMATE COLLECTION.
They show the Vincent Price collection as called "Vincent Price Gift Set 1."
Amazon shows that listed as: "Vincent Price: MGM Scream Legends Collection" (The Abominable Dr. Phibes / Tales of Terror / Theater of Blood / Madhouse / Witchfinder General / Dr. Phibes Rises Again / Twice Told Tales) (1972)
www.amazon.com/Vincent-Pr...B000SK5ZFM

Bulk up on older Midnite Movies from MGM!

Thanks to Jameson281 at Classic Horror Film Board for this tip:

Amazon has several old Midnite Movie releases on sale for about $9 each:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_5408382_1/103-8370860-4541441?ie=UTF8&docId=1000128951&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=right-2&pf_rd_r=0TCJ66Z8393CD5M619VB&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=306869701&pf_rd_i=130

Happy Shopping!

Best of luck in getting all your genre films today by mail or retail. We would love to see any pictures of peoples hauls today. Show it off like you just went on a celebrity spree. Also we want to hear any shopping tips or hell stores that emerge today. We would love to post them. Send all email and pictures to gfanikf@yahoo.com

Another FILM CREW DVD Contest!

This time we are giving away 2 DVDs: KILLERS FROM SPACE (already out, so second prize) and WILD WOMEN OF WONGO (out tomorrow so first prize). Here's what you do: e-mail me your favorite bizarre/stupid line from a MST3K movie (except MANOS). Here's how we'll judge your entry: brevity of quote, awkwardness of delivery in movie, the random and bizarre nature of the line. The deadline is September 20th 11:59 PM EDT.

NOTE: I do not mean a riff from a MST3K episode. I mean a line of dialogue from the movie itself.

Celebrate Halloween with Fox and MGM DVDs. Specs and other info!

Thanks to Derek for giving us the info on these upcoming DVDs.

FOX AND MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENT THE WORKS OF THE ORIGINAL MASTER OF HORROR,

VINCENT PRICE

THE FLY COLLECTION

MGM MOVIE SCREAM LEGENDS: VINCENT PRICE COLLECTION

WITCHFINDER GENERAL

A Gruesome Collection of Horror Classics Arrive on DVD
September 11, Just In Time For Halloween

DVD Debuts of Curse of the Fly and Witchfinder General

CENTURY CITY, Calif. – The silver screen legend whose distinctive voice and unique look propelled him to the forefront of the horror genre, Vincent Price is recognized as a true Hollywood treasure whose villainous roles inspired filmmakers, musicians and other actors for generations to come. Now, just in time for Halloween, Fox and MGM Home Entertainment celebrate his storied career with nearly a dozen creepy classics including THE FLY COLLECTION, MGM MOVIE SCREAM LEGENDS: VINCENT PRICE COLLECTION and WITCHFINDER GENERAL, arriving on DVD September 11, 2007.

A science-fiction classic that spawned a trilogy of terror, THE FLY COLLECTION features the original 1958 film THE FLY, its sequel RETURN OF THE FLY and the DVD debut of THE CURSE OF THE FLY, including all new documentaries and featurettes in a collectible boxed set.

The terror continues with MGM MOVIE SCREAM LEGENDS: VINCENT PRICE COLLECTION; a seven-movie set that immortalizes the iconic screen legend with THE ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES, DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN, THEATER OF BLOOD, MADHOUSE, TALES OF TERROR, TWICE TOLD TALES and the long-awaited DVD debut of WITCHFINDER GENERAL. The collection also features an exclusive BONUS DISC OF HORROR including rare interviews with the Merchant of Menace himself!

Finally, one of the most requested titles in the MGM catalog; WITCHFINDER GENERAL finally crawls its way onto DVD. Originally released theatrically as The Conqueror Worm, WITCHFINDER GENERAL is a frightening tale of a brutal witch-hunt in war torn England. The DVD also features audio commentary by the producer and star of the film and a documentary about the film’s importance to the genre. THE FLY COLLECTION is available for a suggested retail price of $39.98 U.S. / $54.98 Canada, with MGM MOVIE SCREAM LEGENDS: VINCENT PRICE available for $39.98 U.S. / $54.98 Canada and WITCHFINDER GENERAL available for $14.98 U.S. / $15.98. Prebook is August 18, 2007.

Marketing Support:

Fox and MGM Home Entertainment have a comprehensive consumer marketing and strategic publicity campaign in place for the Vincent Price titles, leveraging targeted public relations focusing on radio, print, broadcast and online outreach that specifically targets fans of the films and classic horror while capitalizing on the timeliness of the Halloween holiday season.

The Fly Collection Special Features

• Disc One – The Fly (1958)
• Disc Two – The Return Of The Fly (1959)
• Disc Three – The Curse Of The Fly (1965)
• Disc Four – Bonus Disc
• Vincent Price biography
• “Fly Trap: Catching A Classic” featurette
• The Fly bonus features
• Trailer
• Playboy article and gallery
• Photo gallery
• Lobby cards and posters
• The Return Of The Fly bonus features
• Trailer and TV spots
• Lobby cards and posters
• Photo gallery
• The Curse Of The Fly bonus features
• Trailer
• Pressbook gallery
• Lobby cards and posters
• Photo gallery

MGM Scream Legends Collection: Vincent Price Collection Special Features

• Disc One – ABOMINABLE DR. PHIBES/DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN Double Feature
• Disc Two - THEATER OF BLOOD/MADHOUSE Double Feature
• Disc Three - TALES OF TERROR/TWICE TOLD TALES Double Feature
• Disc Four – Witchfinder General
• Witchfinder General: Michael Reeve’s Horror Classic Featurette
• Audio commentary with producer Philip Waddilove and actor Ian Ogilvy

• Disc Five – Bonus Disc of Horror
• “Vincent Price: Renaissance Man” documentary
• “The Art Of Fear” featurette
• “Working With Vincent Price” featurette

WITCHFINDER GENERAL Special Features

• Witchfinder General: Michael Reeve’s Horror Classic Featurette
• Audio commentary with producer Philip Waddilove and actor Ian Ogilvy

The Fly Synopsis

Experimental scientist Andre Delambre (David Hedison) attempts to transfer matter through a space, using himself as the test subject. But things go horrifically wrong when a house fly buzzes into the machine, resulting in two grotesque man-fly hybrids…one of them being Andre! Now with the head of a fly and a wing in place of one of his arms, Andre, desperately hopes that he, his wife Helene (Patricia Owens) and his brother Francois (Vincent Price) can capture the other mutant – the human-headed, one-armed fly – in hopes of reversing the experiment!

The Return Of The Fly Synopsis

Despite warnings from his uncle Francois (Vincent Price), the young scientist Philippe Delambre (Brett Halsey) is determined to reattempt his late father’s teleportation experiments with the help of his assistant Ronald (David Frankham). But Ronald schemes against Philippe and turns him into the same horrifying man-fly creature that his father had become…and with the same disastrous fate! Once again, it is up to Francois to try and make things right!

The Curse Of The Fly Synopsis

The Delambre family curse continues in the terrifying third and final chapter, The Curse of the Fly! Filled with “disorienting suspense” (Scarlet Street) and gruesome special effects, it’s a horrific tale of science gone mad!

After escaping from a mental institution, Patricia Stanley (Carole Gray) is rescued by scientist Martin Delambre (George Baker), the grandson of the doomed teleportation experimenter Andre Delambre. The two fall in love and marry, but Patricia quickly realizes her new husband’s science experiments are as horrific as his family’s past. As she investigates further, Patricia learns the unnerving secrets of the Delambre family and has to find a way to escape them before she becomes the next human-insect hybrid!

The Abominable Dr. Phibes Synopsis

Meet Doctor Phibes: a one-time concert musician who’s now an all-time crazed murderer. In this clever, crypt-kicking classic, horrormeister Vincent Price plays a diabolical doc seeking the ultimate in revenge with precision creepiness and surgical wit. Watch Dr. Phibes live up to his promise: “Nine killed her, nine shall die, nine eternities in doom!”

After a team of surgeons botch his beloved wife’s surgery, leaving her for dead, the emotionally distraught Dr. Phibes creatively concocts a fatal prescription for revenge. Using the Good Book as his guide, Phibes unleashes a score of old testament atrocities – from a plague of locusts to an attack of rats -- on his enemies that climax in what may be one of “the eeriest endings on screen record” (Syracuse Herald-Journal)!

Dr. Phibes Rises Again Synopsis

The eminent Dr. Phibes awakens from a decade of suspended animation and heads to Egypt with his mute aide-de-camp Vulnavia and the corpse of his dead wife. To resurrect his spouse, Phibes gets up to his usual, diabolical tricks: cleverly murdering people in strange and heinous ways to invoke a magical incantation. But once he is in the tomb of the dead Pharaohs, the good doctor uncovers that his pursuit of an after-life may be foiled by his nemesis who wants to end the reign of this sadistic surgeon of gore.

Theater Of Blood Synopsis

Vincent Price delivers a thrilling “tour-de-force” performance (Variety) as a small-time actor plotting big-time revenge! Boasting a top notch supporting cast, this dramatically “delicious concoction” (New York Magazine) is an “equal mixture of horror, comedy and Shakespeare [that’ll] please just about everyone -- critics included” (Boxoffice)!

After years of suffering deadly reviews, hammy Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart (Price) decides it’s curtains for his critics! Bumping off his detractors with executions inspired by the Bard, Lionheart stages a beheading after the manner of “Cymbeline,” a stabbing inspired by “Julius Caesar,” and even an untimely removal of a pound of flesh improvised from “The Merchant of Venice” -- proving once and for all, that all the world really is a stage…for MURDER!

Madhouse Synopsis

Madhouse Masters of macabre Vincent Price, Peter Cushing and Robert Quarry give performances to die for in this “diverting little chiller” (Boxoffice)! When horror star Paul Toombes’ fiancée is brutally killed, he loses more than this job he loses his mind. But twelve years later, when he returns to TV – only to discover a fresh batch of corpses – Paul finally begins to understand that melodrama can be murder on your career!

Tales Of Terror /Twice Told Tale Synopsis

This triple treat of terror is a three-episode treat dripping with murder, necrophilia, dementia, live burials, zombies and the terrifying performances of some of horror’s greatest spooks – Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Basil Rathbone – resulting in nothing less than “juicy entertainment” and “spine-chilling cinema” (Cue)!

Witchfinder General Synopsis

“Vincent Price proves once again that he is still the greatest ghoul going” (Motion Picture Herald) in this Edgar Allen Poe thriller about a witch hunter who finds career satisfaction touring the English countryside torturing hapless victims and putting innocent people to death in the name of purifying souls. It’s a tale of “love, villainy and retribution” (Film Daily) and a “sadist’s delight” (Los Angeles Times) for those who love historical bloodfests.

As superstition and spells sweep the middle ages, an educated rogue named Hopkins (Price) wanders from town to town proclaiming to be an official witch finder. Town leaders pay him to accuse and then execute – usually innocent – suspects. But when a brave soldier returns home to find his sweetheart on the rack, ready to burn, Hopkins realizes he may have whacked his last witch.

THE FLY COLLECTION

Street Date: September 11, 2007

Prebook Date: August 15, 2007

DVD Price: $39.98 U.S. / $54.98Canada

Total Running Time: 252 minutes

Catalog Number: 2246202U.S.

Rating: N/A

Canadian Rating: N/A

Audio: English Mono

Subtitles: English/French/Spanish

Format: Wide Screen

Closed Captioned: Yes

MGM MOVIE SCREAM LEGENDS: VINCENT PRICE COLLECTION

Street Date: September 11, 2007

Prebook Date: August 15, 2007

DVD Price: $39.98 U.S. / $49.98 Canada

Total Running Time: 674 minutes

Catalog Number: M108780

U.S. Rating: N/A

Canadian Rating: N/A

Audio: English Mono

Format: Wide Screen

Closed Captioned: Yes

WITCHFINDER GENERAL

Street Date: September 11, 2007

Prebook Date: August 15, 2007

DVD Price: $14.98 U.S. / $15.98 Canada

Total Running Time: 86 minutes

Catalog Number: M108765

U.S. Rating: N/A

Canadian Rating: N/A

Audio: English Mono

Subtitles: English/French/Spanish

Format: Wide Screen

Closed Captioned: Yes

MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS A TERRIFYING COLLECTION FROM
THE MASTER OF B-MOVIES

THE ROGER CORMAN COLLECTION

Eight Films From One Of The Most Influential Directors In Modern American Cinema Arrive In A Collectible Box Set September 18

LOS ANGELES, CA – Before “Grindhouse” theaters opened their doors, Roger Corman was making movies. A filmmaker who is responsible for giving many of Hollywood’s top directors their first big break including Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), Martin Scorsese (The Departed),
Ron Howard (The DaVinci Code), James Cameron (Titanic), Peter Bogdanovich
(The Last Picture Show) and Joe Dante (Gremlins); Corman’s prolific career of making low-budget, yet wildly entertaining exploitation films cemented his place in film history.
MGM Home Entertainment celebrates his legendary career with an anthology of his very best work with The Roger Corman Collection, coming to DVD September 18.

Featuring eight films on four discs, the box set includes Peter Fonda (Ghost Rider, Easy Rider) and Bruce Dern (The Astronaut Farmer, Diggstown) in the motorcycle thriller The Wild Angels, the artsy horror story A Bucket Of Blood, the apocalyptic Gas-s-s-s, the Edgar Allan Poe tale Premature Burial, the science-fiction classic X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes and the acid-fueled tale written by Jack Nicholson (The Departed, As Good As It Gets); The Trip. Additionally, the collection offers two Corman classics never before available on DVD – Shelly Winters (The Poseidon Adventure, The Diary of Anne Frank) and Robert DeNiro (Raging Bull) in the psychological gangster film Bloody Mama and the grand prix action spectacular The Young Racers. The Roger Corman Collection is available for the suggested retail price of $39.98 U.S. / $45.98 Canada. Prebook is August 15, 2007.

Synopses:

Bloody Mama

Shelley Winters, Robert DeNiro and Bruce Dern take on the Great Depression the only way they know how in this explosive saga based on the lives of the Ma Barker Gang!

A Bucket of Blood

In a jumpin' java joint, filled to the brim with kooky beatniks, poets and hipsters, an artist wannabe discovers he has a talent for modern art...and murder. Dripping with blood, social satire and "sick, sick comedy," this film, according to critic Leonard Maltin, "nicely captures the spirit of the beatnik era" and zips along with vibes of counterculture creepiness. Walter (Dick Miller) is a busboy overly impressed with the cool cats who hang out at The Yellow Door coffee house, and he wonders how to become "hip." When he accidentally kills his landlady's pet cat, Walter panics and covers it with clay. His prayers are answered, and before he knows it, he's the "cat's meow" of the art world. His talent develops and - surprise! - he can sculpt humans the same way too. Like so many artists, his real talent won't be discovered - until he's dead.

Gas-s-s

Anarchy goes airborne when a deadly gas kills everyone over 25 and the world devolves into a chaotic – and zany – struggle for power.

The Trip

Written by Jack Nicholson, The Trip takes you to a whole new world of extreme beauty and sheer terror…on a passport the size of a stamp!

The Premature Burial

The obsessive fear of being buried alive compels a medical student to build himself a tomb with a view, equipped with everything he can think of to escape death.

X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes

A “fantastic” (Los Angeles Times) tale of heart-pounding suspense, this “harrowing [and] terrifying” (Boxoffice) sci-fi shocker “will fascinate horror film fans” (The Hollywood Reporter).

The Young Racers

An ex-racing champion gets back in the driver’s seat to take on the current champ in a match with a climax so explosive, it has to be seen to be believed.

The Wild Angeles

Grab your chick, hop on your Harley and fly with this “sociological shocker [from the] cut-rate master of the macabre” (Time) starring Peter Fonda, Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd.

The Roger Corman Collection

Price: $39.98U.S. / $45.98 Canada

Street Date: September 18, 2007

Prebook Date: August 22, 2007

Catalog Number: M108589

Bloody Mama (Disc One A)

Total Running Time: 90 minutes

U.S Rating R

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Captioned: N/A

A Bucket of Blood (Disc One B)

Total Running Time: 66 minutes

U.S Rating Not Rated

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Caption N/A

Gas-s-s (Disc Two A)

Total Running Time: 78 minutes

U.S Rating R

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Caption N/A

The Trip (Disc Two B)

Total Running Time: 79 minutes

U.S Rating Not Rated

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Caption N/A

The Premature Burial (Disc Three A)

Total Running Time: 81 minutes

U.S Rating Not Rated

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Caption N/A

X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes (Disc Three B)

Total Running Time: 79 minutes

U.S Rating Not Rated

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Caption N/A

The Young Racers (Disc Four A)

Total Running Time: 84 minutes

U.S Rating Not Rated

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Caption N/A

The Wild Angeles (Disc Four B)

Total Running Time: 86 minutes

U.S Rating Not Rated

Canadian Rating N/A

Closed Caption N/A

THIS HALLOWEEN

FOX AND MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT DOUBLE THE CREATURE AND DOUBLE THE FEATURE WITH

Creepy Camp Classics

Come Back To Life

On DVD September 11

A Vast Collection Of Midnite Movies Make Their DVD Debut Including Bat People, The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues,

Food Of The Gods, House On Skull Mountain and More

Street Date: September 11, 2007

Pre-book Date: August 15, 2007

Launch Highlights:

· Back by popular demand after an online petition gathered nearly 5,000 signatures to save the line, MGM Home Entertainment’s Midnite Movies return with new titles, never-before-on-DVD, including Bat People, Beast with a Million Eyes, Yongary; Monster From The Deep, The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues, Return Of Dracula, The Vampire and Curse of the Faceless Man!

· Fox Home Entertainment joins the Midnite Movies madness by unleashing six new two-disc double features of their own, including Blueprint For Murder, Man In The Attic, Chosen Survivors, Earth Dies Screaming, Devils Of Darkness, Witchcraft, Gorilla At Large, Mystery At Monster Island, House On Skull Mountain, Mephisto Waltz, Tales From The Crypt and Vault Of Horror!

· Based on the novel by H. G. Wells, Food Of The Gods crawls onto DVD for the first time ever as MGM Home Entertainment’s Midnite Movie single feature!

· Get ready for some campy and macabre fun with Midnite Movies from MGM Home Entertainment and Fox Home Entertainment as new titles are released in time for Halloween for the suggested retail price of $14.98 U.S. and $15.98 Canada.

New MGM Midnite Movie Double Features Priced At $14.98 U.S./$15.98 Canada

Title: Length:

The Beast Within/Bat People 98 min./95 min.

The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues/The Beast With A Million Eyes 80 min./75 min.

Pharoh’s Curse/Curse of the Faceless Man 66 min./67 min.

Return Of Dracula/The Vampire 77 min./95 min.

Yongary, Monster From The Deep/Konga 79 min./90 min.

New MGM Midnite Movie Singles Priced At $14.98 U.S./$15.98 Canada

Title: Length:

Food Of The Gods 88 min.

New Fox Midnite Movie Double Features Priced At $14.98 U.S./$15.98 Canada

Title: Length:

Blueprint For Murder/Man In The Attic 82 min./77 min.

Chosen Survivors/Earth Dies Screaming 130 min./62 min.

Devils Of Darkness/Witchcraft 88 min./79 min.

Gorilla At Large/Mystery At Monster Island 84 min./83 min.

House On Skull Mountain/Mephisto Waltz 115 min./89 min.

Tales From The Crypt/Vault Of Horror 83 min./92 min.

FIVE NEW MGM MIDNITE MOVIES DOUBLE FEATURES:

The Beast Within/Bat People Catalog #: M108631

The Beast With (1982) – He was on the verge of becoming a Man…Eater! A Teenage boy is coming face to face with his true past as it keeps on coming back to haunt him. Will he learn who his true father is? Will he accept his fate and it’s consequences?

Bat People (1974) – After being bitten by a bat in a cave, a doctor undergoes an accelerating transformation into a man-bat creature, which ruins his vacation and causes considerable distress for his wife.

The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues/ Beast With A Million Eyes Catalog #: M108637

The Phantom From 10,000 Leagues (1955) – An unusual radioactive rock on the sea bottom mutates the ocean life into a horrible monster.

Beast With A Million Eyes (1955) – After landing a space craft in the desert, an alien takes over the minds of some of the local humans and animals. As the animals attack, the terror begins.

Pharoh’s Curse/Cure Of The Faceless Man Catalog #: M108640

Pharoh’s Curse (1957) – Archaeologists in Egypt find one of their crew has been turned into a blood-sucking mummy after they have unleashed a three thousand year curse by entering a Pharaoh's tomb.

Cure Of The Faceless Man (1958) - When scientists uncover the body of a gladiator from the ruins of Pompeii, they discover he is still alive and set on finding his ancient lost love, but people left alone with the seemingly petrified “faceless man” keep dying of crushed skulls

Return Of Dracula/The Vampire Catalog #: M108643

Return Of Dracula (1958) – After killing a passenger on a train in Transylvania and stealing his identity, Count Dracula comes to a small community in California where the Mayberry’s are expecting their cousin from Europe.

The Vampire (1957) – A man mistakenly takes vampire pills created by a mad doctor and goes on a killing spree in this by prescription camp classic.

Yongary, Monster From The Deep/Konga Catalog #: M108634

Yongary, Monster From The Deep (1967) – A nuclear test in China releases a giant dinosaur from hibernation. The monster rampages through Korea until a young inventor kills it with a special chemical.

Konga (1961) – A chimp is transformed into a giant gorilla and terrorizes London!

A NEW MGM MIDNITE MOVIE SINGLE:

Food Of The Gods (1976) Catalog #: M108762

Based on a novel by H. G. Wells, a group of bloodthirsty, oversized creatures (including rates, chickens, wasps and worms) have taken over a remote island after ingesting a mysterious growth known as “Food of the Gods.” It is up to an unusual group of people to put an end to this animal threat, directed by B-Movie Icon, Bert I. Gordon.

SIX NEW FOX MIDNITE MOVIES 2-DISC DOUBLE FEATURES:

Blueprint For Murder/Man In The Attic Catalog #: 2245978

Blueprint For Murder (1953) – When one of two orphans, who live with their stepmother, collapses with the same mysterious symptoms that killed her father, the visiting uncle is warned that the symptoms match strychnine poisoning… When no case can be made against the obvious suspect, what can the uncle do to save the next victim?

Man In The Attic (1953) – On the night of the third Jack the Ripper killing in 1888, London, a research pathologist takes lodgings in a gloomy attic room for “experiments.” The Mrs. of the house is increasingly suspect and expects the worst: her niece to become attracted to the man. Is she in danger or are the aunt’s suspicions merely a red herring?

Chosen Survivors/Earth Dies Screaming Catalog #: 2245968

Chosen Survivors (1974) – A group of diverse individuals are suddenly taken from their homes and flown to a futuristic bomb shelter in the desert. Their shelter was designed to hold them comfortable until they are faced with an unexpected threat.

Earth Dies Screaming (1964) – A crack space pilot returns to earth to find the planet has been devastated by some unknown forces. There are a few survivors, so he organizes them in a plan to ward off control by a group of killer robots!

Devils Of Darkness/Witchcraft Catalog #: 2245976

Devils Of Darkness (1965) – A secret vampire cult, which has its headquarters beneath the town cemetery, searches for victims of human sacrifice rituals.

Witchcraft (1964) – Three hundred years after the Lanier family buried Vanessa Whitlock alive, a woman suspected to be a witch, Amy Whitlock and Bill Lanier are to be married. When the Lanier family decides to bulldoze the old Whitlock Estate, graves are overturned and Vanessa rises from the grave to take revenge on the Lanier family one-by-one.

Gorilla At Large/Mystery At Monster Island Catalog #: 2245974

Gorilla At Large (1954) – At the sinister carnival, The Garden of Evil, the main attraction is Goliath, Barker Joey Matthews is about to enter the gorilla act when a man is found bead of a broken neck. Was is Goliath or someone wearing Joey’s gorilla suit?

Mystery At Monster Island (1981) – A young man about to marry his long-term girlfriend wants to travel around the world. His wealthy uncle sends him on an expedition, but when en route, the travelers are shipwrecked on a remote island.

House On Skull Mountain/Mephisto Waltz Catalog #: 2245970

House On Skull Mountain (1974) – The heirs to a rich man’s fortune are called together for the reading of the will at a creepy mansion outside of Atlanta. Soon they are being killed off one-by-one. The survivors try to find the killer before he finishes them all off.

Mephisto Waltz (1971) – A classical piano player on the rise befriends a famous player himself who’s at death’s door. Unknown to him, the player is a Satanist who arranges to have their souls switch places at his death so that he can be young again and continue to play piano.

Tales From The Crypt/Vault Of Horror Catalog #: 2245972

Tales From The Crypt (1972) – Five people are trapped in a crypt and are shown their futures by the evil crypt keeper. They’re given the option of avoiding their fates – by avoiding living out the rest of their lives.

Vault Of Horror (1973) – Five men trapped in the basement vault of an office building share visions with each other of their demise. Stories revolve around vampires, bodily dismemberment, East Indian mysticism, an insurance scam and an artist who kills by paining his victim’s deaths.

THIS HALLOWEEN...VOTE FOR GORE!

FOX AND MGM JOIN FORCES AS

THE HOME FOR HORROR

Spine-Tingling Tales Turn Loose September 11

Bloodcurdling Films New To DVD Include

The Burning, Scarecrows, The Lost World Special Edition And More

Street Date: September 11, 2007

Pre-book Date: August 15, 2007

Launch Highlights:

· Debuting on DVD in an all-new Special Edition from Fox Home Entertainment, The Lost World explores a land that lives today exactly as it did at the dawn of time. Based on the 1912 Novel, this remake of the 1925 film by the “original master of Disaster” Irwin Allen, was a critically acclaimed film of the 60’s. Digitally restored and re-mastered, this two-disc set features film historian commentary, making of documentaries, rare still images, press book galleries and the 1925 Willis O’Brien stop-motion special-effects film.

· MGM Home Entertainment unleashes four creepy tales jumping out on DVD for the first time ever. The Burning (1981), featuring film debuts from Holly Hunter, Jason Alexander and Fisher Stevens, tells the gruesome tale of a severely burned summer camp janitor returning to camp hell-bent on vengeance on a new batch of hormone-driven campers. Witness the birth of evil with Manhunter (1986), the eerie and intense film debut of Hannibal Lecter, staring Brian Cox. Thieves on the run find themselves trapped in a cornfield haunted by dark, lurid figures in Scarecrows (1988); and the television movie based on a short story by Stephen King, Sometimes They Come Back (1991) makes its mark on DVD starring
Tim Matheson and Brooke Adams.

· Psycho killers, zombies, sci-fi creatures and evil children are set loose when Fox Home Entertainment promotes dozens of horror filled treats flicks and collections ranging from $9.98 to $39.98 in time Halloween 2007, including The Hills Have Eyes, The Omen Collection, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 28 Days Later and the all-new 4-Disc Fly Classic Collection!

· Beware of vampires, tormented souls, madmen and madwomen as
MGM Home Entertainment’s catalog of ghoulish titles is re-priced in time for Halloween ranging from $9.98 to $39.98, The Amityville Horror Collection,
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Invasion of the Body Snatchers,
The Hannibal Lector Collection, The Howling, Child’s Play, among many others!

New To Special Edition DVD From Fox Priced At $19.98 U.S. and $25.98 Canada

Title: Length:

The Lost World (Special Edition) 97 min.

New To DVD Titles From MGM Priced At $14.98 U.S. and $15.98 Canada

Title: Length:

The Burning 91 min.

Manhunter 124 min.

Scarecrows 83 min.

Sometimes They Come Back 97 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $39.98 U.S

Title: Length:

The Complete Omen Collection 533 min.

The Fly Classic Collection (4-Disc) 252 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $39.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

Stephen King DVD Collector Set 447 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $29.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

The Hannibal Lector Collection 369 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $26.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

AVP – Alien vs. Predator (Collector’s Edition) 108 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $26.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

The Silence of the Lambs (Collector’s Edition) 118 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $22.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

Hannibal (Special Edition) 131 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $19.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show / Shock Treatment 192 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $19.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

The Fly (Collector's Edition) 95 min.

Fly II (Collector's Edition) 104 min.

From Hell (2-disc) 121 min.

Hide & Seek (Widescreen & Full Screen) 101 min.

The Hills Have Eyes (Rated) 107 min.

The Hills Have Eyes (Unrated) 108 min.

Night Watch 114 min.

The Omen (Collector's Edition) 111 min.

Predator (Collector's Edition) (Widescreen & Full Screen) 106 min.

Predator 2 (Collector's Edition) 108 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $19.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Collector’s Edition) 157 min.

Bubba Ho-Tep (Collector’s Edition) 95 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $14.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

28 Days Later (Widescreen & Full Screen) 113 min.

Alien 116 min.

Aliens 154 min.

Alien 3 115 min.

Alien Resurrection 108 min.

Alien vs. Predator (Widescreen & Full Screen) 108 min.

The Cabinet of Caligari 105 min.

Club Dread (Rated) 104 min.

Club Dread (Unrated) 119 min.

The Day the Earth Stood Still 92 min.

Doctor and the Devils 92 min.

Don't Say A Word 113 min.

Dressed To Kill ('41) 74 min.

Frankenstein Unbound 85 min.

From Hell (single disc) 121 min.

The Fury 95 min.

High Crimes 115 min.

House of the Dammed ('63) 63 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $14.98 U.S. (cont’d)

Title: Length:

Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte 132 min.

The Innocents 100 min.

Lifeboat (Special Edition) 96 min.

Night Train to Paris ('64) 65 min.

One Hour Photo (Widescreen & Full Screen) 96 min.

The Other ('72) 100 min.

Phone Booth 81 min.

Pretty Poison ('68) 89 min.

Rocky Horror Picture Show (single disc) 100 min.

Runaway Jury (Widescreen & Full Screen) 127 min.

Sexy Beast 89 min.

Shock Treatment 92 min.

Unfaithful (Widescreen & Full Screen) 124 min.

Wrong Turn 84 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $14.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

After Midnight 93 min.

The Amityville Horror 119 min.

The Amityville Horror (’05) 89 min.

Amityville II: The Possession 104 min.

Amityville III: The Demon 93 min.

Audrey Rose 113 min.

The Believers 115 min.

Blacula 93 min.

Breeders 77 min.

The Brood 92 min.

Burnt Offerings 114 min.

Candyman 2: Farewell to the Flesh 91 min.

Carrie (Special Edition) 98 min.

Child’s Play 87 min.

Christina’s House 97 min.

Dark Half 121 min.

Dolls 78 min.

Dressed To Kill (’80) 105 min.

Edge of Sanity 91 min.

The First Power 98 min.

The Fog (Special Edition) 90 min.

Frogs 90 min.

From a Whisper to a Scream 100 min.

The Ghoul 80 min.

Ghoulies / Ghoulies II 171 min.

Hannibal 131 min.

The House Where Evil Dwells 88 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $14.98 U.S. (cont’d)

Title: Length:

The Howling (Special Edition) 91 min.

The Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf 91 min.

I, Madman 89 min.

Jeepers Creepers 90 min.

Jeepers Creepers 2 (Special Edition) 104 min.

Killer Clowns from Outer Space 86 min.

The Lady in White 118 min.

The Last House on the Left 84 min.

Leviathan 98 min.

Lifeforce 116 min.

The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane 92 min.

Lord of Illusions 121 min.

Night of the Comet 95 min.

The Night of the Hunter 93 min.

The Night Stalker / The Night Strangler 164 min.

Night Visitor 94 min.

Nomads 93 min.

The Phantom of the Opera (’89) 93 min.

Poltergeist II / Poltergeist III 189 min.

The Rage: Carrie 2 105 min.

Rampage: the Hillside Strangler Murders 85 min.

Scream, Blacula, Scream 96 min.

Shredder 86 min.

The Silence of the Lambs 118 min.

Stigmata 102 min.

Swamp Thing 91 min.

Teen Wolf / Teen Wolf Too 186 min.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (Special Edition) 101 min.

Troll / Troll 2 178 min.

What Ever Happened To Aunt Alice? 101 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $9.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

The Alligator People 74 min.

Best Laid Plans 92 min.

Black Widow 101 min.

The Boston Strangler 116 min.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Movie) 86 min.

The Clearing 94 min.

Damien: The Omen II 107 min.

Darkwolf 94 min.

The Deep End 101 min.

The Edge 120 min.

The Good Son 86 min.

Fox DVDs Priced At $9.98 U.S. (cont’d)

Title: Length:

Hear No Evil 97 min.

Joy Ride 96 min.

Killer Tomatoes Eat France 93 min.

Killer Tomatoes Strike Back 87 min.

Lake Placid (Widescreen & Full Screen) 82 min.

Legend of Hell House 95 min.

Omen III: The Final Conflict 108 min.

The Omen ('06) (Widescreen & Full Screen) 110 min.

The Order 102 min.

Phantom of the Paradise 92 min.

Ravenous 100 min.

Sleeping with the Enemy 99 min.

Swimfan 85 min.

Terror Train 97 min.

The Vanishing 109 min.

MGM DVDs Priced At $9.98 U.S.

Title: Length:

Squirm 93 min.

Carrie (’02) 132 min.

Synopses:

The Burning Catalog #: M108553

A legend of terror isn’t a campfire story anymore! Cropsy (Lou David), a summer camp caretaker, is horribly disfigured by fire after a teenage prank goes awry. Years later, he emerges from the burn ward hell-bent on vengeance on a new batch of hormone-driven campers with an oversized pair of garden shears. One of the first producing and writing credits for both Harvey Weinstein (Shakespeare In Love, Scream, Kill Bill) and Brad Grey (The Sopranos, The Larry Sanders Show), The Burning (1981) also includes film debuts by Holly Hunter (The Piano, Copycat, Thirteen), Jason Alexander (“Seinfeld”, “Listen Up”), Fisher Stevens (Short Circuit, Reversal Of Fortune, Hackers) and Brian Backer (Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Moving Violations) with gruesome special effects by the talented Tom Savini (Friday The 13^th, Dawn Of The Dead).

The Lost World Special Edition Catalog #: 2245965

Prepare yourself to fall off the brink of time and enter The Lost World – A word that lives today exactly as it did at the dawn of time. Professor Challenger and his team of scientists embark on an expedition to a remote plateau deep within the Amazonian jungle to investigate reports that dinosaurs are still alive there. Suddenly, they are exposed to the death-battle of the Jurassic dinosaurs, a wild 70 lb. brontosaurus, a Tyrannosaurus hatching a baby monster, a sea-serpent of a lava lake appearing from the depths, spiders that stalk humans and more! Finally reliving on DVD, this 2-disc special edition will also feature the following bonus features:

· Film Historian Commentary

· Making-of Documentaries

· Rare Still Images

· Press Book Galleries

· The 1925 Willis O’Brien Special Effect Masterpiece

Manhunter Catalog #: M108559

Enter the mind of a serial killer… you may never come back. Based on Thomas Harris’s novel Red Dragon, Manhunter introduces the notorious serial killer Hannibal
“The Cannibal” Lecter to film in this prequel to The Silence Of The Lambs. Nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best Motion Picture in 1987, Manhunter stars William Petersen (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” The Contender) as ex-FBI agent
Will Graham, who seeks counsel with Lecter (Brian Cox, Adaptation, X2, “Deadwood”) to track down a vicious killer who has thwarted authorities at every turn.

Scarecrows Catalog #: M108562

When it comes to terror, trespassers are in a field of their own. Centering around a group of thieves who, after stealing millions the Camp Pendleton payroll, kidnap a pilot and his daughter in attempt to escape to Mexico. While en route, one of the thieves gets greedy and double-crosses the others by parachuting out of the aircraft with the loot into a dark cornfield maze with more than it’s share of creepy scarecrows. As the others delve into the field after the stolen cash, they begin to realize that these scarecrows aren’t just hanging around. They’re out for blood!

Sometimes They Come Back Catalog #: M108565

Based on the story by Stephen King, Tim Matheson (“The West Wing,” “The Quest”) stars as troubled high school teacher Jim Norman who returns to his hometown with his family where he must confront some painful and haunting memories. Some 27 years earlier, Tim’s brother was murdered by a group of high school thugs, who were killed themselves by an oncoming train. As some of Tim’s students begin to die one by one, the ghostly apparitions of the bullies from his past begin to appear. It’s up to Tim to protect his wife and son and cast off the shackles of his past to stop these supernatural killers.

HORROR CAMP CLASSICS ARE BACK…

THEY’RE HUNGRY…

AND THEY’RE NOT VEGETARIAN

FROM BEYOND UNRATED

THE RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD
COLLECTOR’S EDITION

Two Gory Horror Masterpieces Arrive On DVD

September 11 From MGM Home Entertainment

LOS ANGELES, CA – Two iconic splatter classics that were pioneers in the horror genre make their way to DVD when From Beyond Unrated and The Return Of The Living Dead Collector’s Edition arrive on September 11 from MGM Home Entertainment. Just in time for Halloween, these 80s cult classics represent some of the most dark and original content created and started a new trend in black comedy. Based on the short story of the same name by legendary writer H.P. Lovecraft, comes a science-fiction experiment gone horribly wrong in From Beyond. Starring horror legend Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator, The Frighteners) and shot by cult director Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator, Dolls), From Beyond Unrated is available for the first time on DVD and includes all new featurettes, a photomontage and the original Director’s Unrated Cut.

Writer/director Dan O’Bannon (Alien, Lifeforce) puts a hilarious spin on the zombie movie with The Return Of The Living Dead. Considered one of the most bizarre yet incredibly funny horror films in its time, The Return Of The Living Dead helped launch the career of scream queen Linnea Quigley (Sorority Babes In The Slime Ball Bowl-O-Rama, Vice Academy) and is a true punk rock zombie comedy. The Collector’s Edition DVD comes in collectible glow in the dark packaging and features audio commentary from cast, crew and the undead, behind-the-scenes featurettes, an 80s horror film retrospective hosted by the mistress of the night herself, Elvira and of course, zombie subtitles.

Both From Beyond Unrated and The Return Of The Living Dead Collector’s Edition are available for the suggested retail price of $19.98 U.S. / $25.98 Canada. Prebook is August 15, 2007.

Synopses:

From Beyond Unrated

H.P. Lovecraft’s classic tale of suspense became “a grisly amalgam of sex, shock and satire” (Newsweek) in the hands of the creators of Re-animator. And now, armed with shocking never-before-seen footage and special features and on DVD for the first time, this “bloody good entertainment” (Time) has evolved into one of the most gruesomely riveting film experiences of all time! The Resonator, a powerful machine that can control the sixth sense, has killed its creator and sent his associate into an insane asylum. But when a beautiful psychiatrist becomes determined to continue the experiment, she unwittingly opens the door to a hostile parallel universe…and to the deviant behavior within the human psyche. With its victims becoming creatures who feed on – and become aroused by – human brains, the Resonator is the ultimate man-made monster. And now something’s gone horribly wrong and no one can turn it off!

From Beyond Unrated Special Features:

Ø “The Director’s Perspective” featurette

Ø “The Editing Room: Lost and Found” featurette

Ø Interview with composer

Ø Photo montage

Ø Storyboard to Film Comparisons w/ introduction

Ø Deleted scenes:

o Appearance of Dr. Pretorus

o Death of Bubba

o Hospital Escape

o Katherine Frees Herself

The Return Of The Living Dead Collector’s Edition

Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the cemetery, those brain-eating zombies are back and hungry for more tasty mortals. A fiendish mix of outrageous humor and heart-stopping terror, The Return of the Living Dead is a veritable smorgasbord of fun (LA Herald-Examiner) filled with skin-crawling jolts, eye-popping visuals and relentless surprise! On his first day on the job at an army surplus store, poor Freddy unwittingly releases nerve gas from a secret U.S. military canister, unleashing an unbelievable terror. The gas re-animates a corps of corpses, who arise from their graves with a ravenous hunger for human brains! And luckily for those carnivorous cadavers, there is a group of partying teens nearby, just waiting to be eaten!

The Return Of The Living Dead: Collector’s Edition Special Features

Ø Cast, crew and undead commentary

Ø “Remembering The Dead: Cast Recollections” featurette

Ø “From The Underground: The Rise of Horror in the 80s” featurette

Ø Zombie subtitle stream

If you were ever interested in K-1 Hero's, well now is the time to start watching.

The Return of Kid Yamamoto this September 17th.


Full Card From K-1's official language English page. (Click the image for a larger view)

Lo Meng Expo Photos

Review of THE FILM CREW - KILLERS FROM SPACE and WILD WOMEN OF WONGO

Before I watched the Film Crew discs, I had a lot of doubts about how good they were going to be. As a lifelong fan of MST3K, I've been disappointed with the RiffTrax commentarie enough to not buy them up with any regularity. It seems that they had traded some of their sangfroid for smarm. There was too much straight-up complaining about how stupid the movie was without any clever jokes to make it interesting. And as picayunish as it may sound, "Soo.... "Manos"..." is more clever and entertaining than listening to complaints about how action scenes in a Bond film are unrealistic (especially when there were actual stuntmen doing these things). That was the baggage I brought to the table, and that was the concern I had about the Film Crew discs. Would it be more like MST3K or more like RiffTrax?

I am quite happy to say that the Film Crew commentaries are much closer to the spirit of MST3K, quite possibly because of the movie selections. Keep in mind that there are only 3 writers as opposed to the 6 or 7 for MST3K, so the jokes maybe aren't quite as rapid fire or sharp as in the glory days. Overall, though, both discs were very enjoyable.

KILLERS FROM SPACE (available now) is a crappy 50s sci-fi film starring Peter Graves that I've had the displeasure of watching several years ago. Very little happens in this 70-minute movie, following that rule of 50s scifi films to write a story that fits into an hour timeslot on TV and then add 30 minutes of padding. As the Crew so astutely point out and parody in one of the host segments, the padding consists largely of extreme closeups of bland, emotionless faces. That was one of the things that really stuck out for me about the Film Crew "episodes." The host segments centered around certain unusual aspects of the movie the way the best ones of MST3K did. Granted the writing's not as sharp, but I know that was a complaint about the Sci-fi Channel episodes. The opening segment where the Crew gets their assignment from Bob Honcho is off-color and weird, but it's amusing. The lunch break is redolent of the great "Manos" episode, in which Kevin shows sketches of alternative designs for the movie's aliens. Getting back to the meat of the disc, the riffing is very good, too, if hindered by the movie's gray blandness. The pop culture references seem to be fewer in number, but if you know MST3K, you'll know there are lots of Biography jokes. And yes, they do complain about how boring the movie is, but at least they put it in joke form. As a bonus feature, there's an extra host segment that's not part of the main feature about how the alien's language was just English played backwards. Pretty funny stuff, though, perhaps lacking a real punchline.

WILD WOMEN OF WONGO (available Sept. 11th) is a much more colorful movie, literally and figuratively, and the Film Crew material benefits greatly from it. The story is a meandering tale of two tribes, one of ugly men and beautiful women and another of ugly women and beautiful men. Eventually, as Hitler might want, the beautiful ones end up together, but falling short of Hitler's plan, the ugly ones end up together as well, instead of being killed by the beautiful people. Along the way, however, there are plenty of bizarre moments, including another classic line that I'm sure the Film Crew are currently yelling at each other. Add this one to the pantheon of "STAY!" and "This is where the fish lives." I dare not spoil it for you, but it is spun off into a pretty good bonus host segment. I spotted a few more pop culture references this time around, and it felt like there were more jokes with less repetition overall. They're also a lot racier this time around with a good deal of sexual humor, which is appropriate given the film. The guys never really cross the line, though, and the riffs are really funny. This would have made a great MST3K episode, but a lot of the potential is fulfilled by the Film Crew.

The video and audio quality for both discs is fine for what it is. On par with MST3K, the quality of the film prints leaves a lot to be desired, but you can still tell what's going on. Not that any of these had the visual sense of CITIZEN KANE, mind you. The Film Crew segments are fine but the picture lacks detail and feels soft. I suppose they were shot on fairly cheap video. The audio is clear once you turn the volume way up. At 70-75 minutes plus an extra few minutes of bonus features, you're not getting as much material as a normal MST3K episode either. Perhaps they could at least include the unriffed versions of the movies on future discs.

The Film Crew DVDs carry on the spirit of MST3K, if not quite the same level of sharp writing. With time, however, they can only improve, and KILLERS FROM SPACE and WILD WOMEN OF WONGO are both very funny. I highly recommend these discs to any MST3K fan and look forward to seeing future discs.

UFC 75 Champion vs Champion Picks from Keith

UFC 75 Preview and Predictions : By Keith Shillan

UFC vs. Pride is finally here! The hardcore fans have been calling for the unification bout for years. Finally, we will all know who the best 205 pound fighter in the world is. Well, maybe not. This fight isn’t what the hardcore fans expected. Fans expected the super hyped fight that never took place when Dana White announced a fight between the then UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck Liddell and the then Pride FC Middleweight Champion Wanderlei Silva. Dan “Hollywood” Henderson and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson had other plans. First, Dan Henderson knocked out Wanderlei Silva to take the Pride title and then Quinton Jackson ended Liddell’s impressive run as champ quickly with a left hook in the first round of the match in May. Quinton, who spent most of his career fighting for Pride, really doesn’t represent the UFC. It almost feels like a Pride vs. Pride fight. Also is the winner of this fight the undisputed best 205 pound fighter? Most hardcore fans would choose Maurico “Shogun” Rua, who has a quick TKO win over Quinton Jackson in the 2005 Grand Prix. Anyways, this fight might not be the UFC vs. Pride fight or the best 2 fighters in the light heavyweight division locking horns, but it is a great main event. Both fighters are top 5 fighters and it should be a great war.

The card also has the return of Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Cheick Kongo, and the TUF 3 grudge match between Michael Bisping and Matt Hamill. Let’s take a look at the main fight cards and get to my predictions. Being that this fight will be on Spike TV and be full of commercials, I will only break down the four fights, which are promised to be shown.

Houston Alexander vs. Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara

Houston Alexander became an instant star when he surprised everybody with his spectacular KO over the highly favored Keith Jardine. Most people (myself included) had never heard of Alexander before his fight with Jardine, and took it as a cakewalk for Jardine. Alexander landed some extremely powerful blows on Jardine and made a highlight reel KO that would be shown in UFC Unleashed for years. Jardine seems to have instantly gained a huge fan base, and have been marked as a top contender in the UFC division.

Alessio Sakara is also known for his punches. He first hit the UFC scene at UFC 55 by smashing Ron Faircloth but the fight was ruled a no-contest when Faircloth hit Sakara with a low blow that Sakara couldn’t continue. Sakara then made a horror movie, with his pin-point striking over for three rounds over Elvis Sinosic, in which he hit Elvis with everything but the kitchen sink. Sakara then showed his weak ground game, when submission master Dean Lister triangle choked him in less than 3 minutes into the fight. He then took another step back when Drew McFedries outlasted Sakara in a slugfest eventually getting a TKO in the first round. He would then return with a first rd TKO over Victor Valimaki at UFC 70.

This fight is going to an absolute war on the feet. Both have shown KO power and great ability in their hands. Alexander will not have the element of surprise this time. I truly believe that Jardine toke Alexander lightly, and paid the price for them. Alexander seems to have the more striking power, but Sakara is probable the more technical striker. I see Sakara outlasting the early flurry by Alexander and Sakara eventually unloading a barrage of punches winning by TKO late in the first period.

Michael “the Count” Bisping vs. Matt “the Hammer” Hamill

I really loved season 3 of the Ultimate Fighter. I watched it when it first aired and then recently bought the season when it came out on DVD and watched it again. Yes, I need a life. These two fighters were training partners on the show and seemed to get under each others skin. It seemed like many times they were going to throw down. Many believe this would have been the finals of the show if Hamill didn’t get hurt. Bisping went on to win the contract and Hamill has kept reminding everybody that Bisping never beat him. With all due respect to finalist Josh Haynes, this was the fight everybody wanted to see.

Bisping has a huge following of fans, especially in England (where this fight is being held). Bisping is known for his standup. He has crisp hand striking but also has great high kicks and knees. His ground game is underrated and his wrestling has probable improved with training with Rampage. Since winning the contract, he has 2 TKO wins over Eric Schafer and Elvis Sinosic (though he was almost KO’d himself)

Matt Hamill is an amazing wrestler. He has won many gold medals during the deaf Olympics in wrestling. He is a little green, but is always trying to learn more. He is known for having a great work ethic, which made TUF coach Tito Ortiz really take an interest in him. Hamill’s striking is not good, though his striking from the clinch has shown signs of brilliance. Since the show, Hamill has looked impressive taking out Jesse Forbes, Seth Petruzelli and Rex Holman.

Both these fighters have undefeated records. Bisping has a lot more experience then Hamill has. A lot of so called experts have been taking Bisping, saying that the crowd will help Bisping. I do believe the crowd might influence the referee to stand the fight up, if Hamill takes down Bisping and is just holding him down, but I don’t take this to be a home town match for Bisping. The reason why: Hamill is deaf. He won’t even know that the crowd is booing him.

I expect Bisping to have some flurries on his feet that will hurt Hamill and many submission attempts, but I believe Hamill will take Bisping down easily and control him to a unanimous decision. If you remember on the show, Hamill was taking Bisping down, using no hands, imagine what he can do with both hands. Hamill in upset of the night.

Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Cheick Kongo

Before I get to this fight, I need to get a pet peeve off my chest. Attention UFC! His last name is not Cro Cop, its Filipovic. You don’t call Randy Couture, Randy the Natural; please call him Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic. Ok back to the article.

This was a hand picked fight for Cro Cop. The UFC wanted a fighter to stand up right in front of Cro Cop and just throw down. They might have found that guy in French Muay Thai fighter Cheick Kongo. Kongo is an athletic specimen. He is tall, ripped, and very explosive. He has precise striking. He has crisp hands, lightning fast kicks, and unloaded a barrage of knees when he has is opponent hurt. Kongo has TKO wins in the UFC over Gilbert Aldana (RIP), and Christian Wellisch. He would lose a decision to Carmelo Marrero in which Marrero wrestled Kongo to the ground and simply held him until it was over. Kongo would then rebound with a decision win over Assuerio Silva.

When Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic signed with the UFC, hardcore fans assumed he would steamroll all the Heavyweights in the division and would quickly become UFC Champion. Mirko’s resume is unbelievable. He has beaten a who’s who list of MMA fighters, with wins over the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Kazushi Sakuraba, Mark Coleman, Kevin Randleman, Josh Barnett, Igor Vovchanchyn, and many more top MMA fighters. Cro Cop is a K-1 level striker. He has smooth feet work, a string stiff left straight. His kicks to the legs and body is better then anybody in the business. Yet, it is his left high kick that gets all the talk. If you have never seen a Cro Cop left high kick KO, stop reading this right now and go on youtube and look up one of his many highlight videos. His high kick is probable the most feared strike in all combat sports. He usually peppers the body with his left leg, until his opponent drops his hands to defend it, and in an instant he snaps it up to their face. Next thing his opponent knows he is waking up with about a dozen doctors around his lifeless body. Yet Mirko is not just a striker. He is one of the toughest guys to take down in all of MMA and even has a submission victory over Kevin Randleman. Mirko made his presence in the UFC by beating Eddie Sanchez by TKO but was amazingly stopped by Gabriel Gonzaga. Gonzaga toke Cro Cop down and landed some devastating elbows. When the fight got back to the feet, Gonzaga did the unthinkable by knocking out Cro Cop by his own weapon, a high kick.

Kongo is a strong striker but he is not on Mirko’s level. I expect Kongo to want to get into a clinch and use his knees and strikes to try to stop Cro Cop. Cro Cop seems focused and ready to take his frustration out on Kongo. I expect Cro Cop to create the distance he needs to strike. Look for his straight left hand, and kicks to the legs and body to setup his left high kick to head for a first round KO.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs Dan “Hollywood” Henderson

Though this fight isn’t the unification fight that many wanted, it is still a great fight. Quinton Jackson instantly became the celebrity in America by knocking out the UFC cover boy Chuck “the Iceman” Liddell to become the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Though Rampage is now known, Dan Henderson is not known to the casual American fan. Many casual fans think Pride is a second rate organization, which means Henderson must be a second rate champion. Hardcore fans know that both these fighters are as good as they come.

Not to long ago Rampage looked like a fighter heading to the close of his career. In a short time he was knocked out by Wanderlei Silva, looked sluggish against Murilo “Ninja” Rua and lost by TKO to Maurico “Shogun” Rua. He has then seemed to have did an absolute 180 degree turn. He became a student of Juanito Ibarra. He seems focused and disciplined which he has been accused of not being in the past. He won a very close decision over Matt Lindland (which I thought Lindland won) in the main event of the WEC. He then signed a contract with the UFC. He first avenged his first loss of his career against Marvin Eastman. Rampage looked crisp in the striking. He landed a nice uppercut that led to a flurry of punches that caused the referee to stop the fight. Rampage then faced his rival Chuck “the Iceman” Liddell for the UFC Light Heavyweight title. The fight was super hyped but didn’t live up to it. In less than two minutes into the fight, Rampage landed a huge right hook that sent Liddell to the canvas. Rampage followed with some ground and pound and forced referee John McCarthy to step in and stop the fight. Rampage would instantly become a MMA superstar.

Dan Henderson has been around the sport for quite some time. He has fought just about everywhere including the UFC before. He has been a top 10 fighter for many years now but never quite made it to the top. He was always an undersized fighter for the 205 pound weight class and eventually moved down to 183 pounds. Henderson would enter and win the Pride Welterweight Grand Prix to crown to become their first welterweight champion. While being champion, he would move back up to 205 pounds and challenge Wanderlei Silva for the Pride Middleweight Belt. Henderson would shock the world by knocking out Wanderlei Silva to become the first ever two weight class champion.

This is going to be a war. Rampage is known for his amazing strength, breathtaking double leg takdown slams, and vicious ground and pound. He also has very good striking. He stays in tight, and doesn’t really leave himself open. Henderson is an Olympic caliber Greco Roman Wrestler. He has one of the best clinch games. He can take you down from the clinch, or use it to dirty box. He also has a great overhand straight left and a looping left. Henderson has been able to take a beating and dish one right back.

Both their resumes are awesome. Rampage has wins over the likes of: Chuck Liddell, Matt Lindland, Kevin Randleman, Murilo Bustamante, Ricardo Arona, Igor Vovchanchyn, and Murilo Rua. While Henderson has wins over the likes of: Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort, Murlio Rua, Murilo Bustamante, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria, Kazuhiro Nakamura, and Renzo Gracie. A win for either of these would just further strength their resume

The key for Rampage in this fight is to use his size and strength advantage over Henderson. The key for Henderson is to use the clinch and keep Rampage guessing if he is going to use dirty boxing or take Rampage to the ground. It is really tough to pick a winner here. I do believe that Henderson training with Matt Lindland, who had some success against Rampage in the past will help him create a better game plan then Rampage and will win a razor close split decision.

Prelims:

Marcus Davis vs Paul Taylor: Davis by 2rd TKO

Gleison Tibai vs Terry Etim: Tibau by UD

Tomasz Drwal vs Thiago Silva: Silva by 2rd TKO

Naoyuki Kotani vs Denis Siver: Kotani by UD

Anthony Torres vs Jess Liaudin: Torres by UD

Upcoming Media Blasters Cover Art!

Thanks to Richard York.

Lo Meng Expo Photos

I'll be posting pictures from the Lo Meng expo later today. Sorry for the delay.

Media Blaster's 2007 Schedule

Thanks to Richard York

10/23
SCRAP HEAVEN (Tokyo Shock)

10/30
RICA 2: LONELY WANDERER (Exploitation Digital)

11/20
BLOODY SCHOOL GIRLS 3-Pack: Includes GIRLS NITE OUT, BLOOD SISTERS and
ONE DARK NIGHT (Shriek Show)

11/27
MIDNIGHT MOVIES 2 (Steckler 4-pack!): Includes BODY FEVER, LAS VEGAS
SERIAL KILLER, HOLLYWOOD STRANGLER MEETS THE SKIDROW SLASHER and BLOOD
SHACK (Shriek Show)

12/11
LATITUDE ZERO (Toho/Tokyo Shock)

12/18
RICA 3: JUVENILE'S LULLABY (Exploitation Digital)
LEGEND OF DINOSAURS AND MONSTER BIRDS (Tokyo Shock)

A Shaw Brothers Query

Recently, I received an email asking a question about rare Shaw Brothers films from the 60s if anyone can help with this I would be greatly appreciated.

Here is the query:

I am looking for 2 rare Shaw Brothers films, and was curious if you had any advice as to where to either find legal copies, or simply more information regarding them. They are the 1962/1963 Midnightmare movies, which was the make of the 1937 Maxu Weibang classic, Midnight Song.

If you have any info on this please drop me an email at gfanikf@yahoo.com

Will's Puroresu News Digest

New Japan…

…held two special Masahiro Chono-produced shows in Makuhari. The big news was that the September 1^st show marked the return of Tatsumi Fujinami, Osamu Nishimura and the rest of the NJPW wrestlers who left the company in January 2006 to form Muga World. It’s hoped this could be the beginning of a reconciliation between the two sides.

New Japan have booked the 11,000 capacity Ryogoku Kokugikan again for 11/11 for a standalone show. This could be a hard sell, as they already have it booked for 10/8 (Nagata vs. Tanahashi).

The other potentially big news from New Japan is that they are planning on expanding into South Korea. No real concrete plans as of yet other than they’ll be sharing some resources with the South Korean AWF, which NJPW wrestlers have worked for in the past. New Japan certainly don’t have a deep enough roster to run full tours in South Korea and Japan, so I’d guess that this could be more of a brand-extension a la Lock Up or Wrestleland, running occasional shows with New Japan and AWF talent. Former NJ wrestler Kantaro Hoshino, who’s promoted New Japan shows for years, seems to be heading up the project.

All Japan…

…didn’t really do that much this week. Keiji Muto appealed to both Masakatsu Funaki, and diamond-eared baseball star Kazuhiro Kiyohara to join All Japan after they retired from MMA and baseball respectively. Funaki will be making a return to the ring on HEROs’ big New Years Eve show, and could (unlikely) return to wrestling. Kiyohara would be awesome… but let’s just say that Muto appeals to a lot of big names to join All Japan.

NOAH…

…neared the end of their number-one contenders tourney. Front runners are Jun Akiyama, Naomichi Marufuji and Akitoshi Saito. The winner will be decided this Sunday at Budokan Hall, on a card that also features Mitsuharu Misawa & Go Shiozaki vs. Tatsumi Fujinami & Osamu Nishimura.

Other things…

Michinoku Pro’s 4^th Fukumen World League came to its conclusion on September 2^nd. New Japan’s Tiger Mask beat CMLL legend Atlantis with a cross armbreaker in the final. It’s the second time the former Michinoku Pro star has won the League, having previously tapped Mexican legend Dos Caras with the same move in the 1999 final.

Indy minnows KAGEKI will celebrate their 10^th birthday next month in style. As a gift from Jushin Thunder Lyger, the show will feature an IWGP Junior Heavyweight title match. KAGEKI ace Azteca will take on either Ryusuke Taguchi or Tiger Mask, who clash on 24/9.

Less than a week to go before the Inoki Genome Federation holds its big show in Nagoya, and we finally have a match announced. Legendary shoot-stylist Kiyoshi Tamura will wrestle K-1 freak show Montana Silva, last seen in a wrestling ring stinking it up with Yutaka Yoshie back in 2003.

Takeshi Morishima made a successful ROH title defence on Kensuke Office’s 9/1 show at Differ Ariake, beating Katsuhiko Nakajima with a lariat.

HEROs’ 9/17 show will feature a battle of ex-pro wrestlers – Katsuyori Shibata vs. Kazushi Sakuraba. While well past his prime, Saku will be by far the toughest guy Shibata has faced in his short MMA career. Shibata will certainly have to do better than he did in his last fight.

Clips from the new Commadno Special Edition!

Thanks again to Crystal at M-80!

2. Pure Action

Makings of Commando – NON-EXCLUSIVE

1:10 – 2:27

The director and writer describe the action packed nature of the film.

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_hi.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_hi.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_hi.rm

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_hi.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_lo.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_lo.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_lo.rm

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_lo.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_mid.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_makingof_mid.rm

3. Pure Action

Casting– NON-EXCLUSIVE

2:27 – 3:55

Interviews describe casting of Schwarzenegger and behind the scenes footage.

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_hi.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_hi.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_hi.rm

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_hi.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_lo.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_lo.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_lo.rm

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_lo.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_mid.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/072607/commando_casting_mid.rm

1. Commando

Getting Ready– NON-EXCLUSIVE

1:08:31 – 1:09:06

John gets prepared for battle with the enemy.

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_100K.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_100K.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_300K.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_300K.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_700K.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_700K.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_1200K.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_1200K.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_hi.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_hi.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_hi.rm

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_hi.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_lo.asx

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_lo.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_lo.rm

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_lo.wmv

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_mid.mov

http://broadband.foxhome.com/commando/080107/commando_gettingready_mid.rm

Commando Final Specs

We'll be reviewing the disc in the next week or so and we will let everyone know whether the rumor "handslap" scene has been restored (if it was actually filmed). Still here is the final specs and press release for Commando. We plan to have additional art and clips in the near future. I can say based on my experiences with Fox SE's for Predator 1 and Predator 2 we can expect some great discs. Thanks to Crystal at M-80.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SCHWARZENEGGER
COMMANDO
DIRECTOR’S CUT
Arnold’s Action Classic Packs Some Serious New Ammo
With Brand-New Footage Added Back Into The Film,
Plus Deleted Scenes, Two New Featurettes And More
Available on DVD September 18th From Fox Home Entertainment

CENTURY CITY, Calif. – The vintage Schwarzenegger film that helped to cement his world-renowned action hero status following the huge success of The Terminator, Commando was produced by mega action icon Joel Silver (The Matrix, Lethal Weapon) and quickly became another “Arnold action classic” – and is now being re-released as a special Director’s Cut DVD on September 18th from Fox Home Entertainment. Schwarzenegger (True Lies, Total Recall) stars as a retired special operations soldier who engages in a vengeful rescue mission to save his kidnapped daughter from enemy hands. Recognized for its unapologetic non-stop explosive action, Commando gloriously infuses non-stop car chases, punch ups, gun fights and explosions with a unique blend of humor and quick one-liners that became Arnold’s signature style. The film also stars Alyssa Milano (“Charmed,” “Who’s The Boss”), Rae Dawn Chong (The Color Purple, Soul Man), Dan Heyada (Swimfan, Clueless), David Patrick Kelly (Flags Of Our Fathers) and Bill Duke (Predator).
The Commando Director’s Cut DVD features the original theatrical film plus an all-new unrated version as envisioned by director Mark L. Lester (Firestarter, Armed and Dangerous) featuring over five minutes of never-before-seen footage added back into the film; additional DVD special features include director audio commentary, deleted scenes, two behind-the-scenes featurettes, photo galleries and more. The Commando Director’s Cut DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98 U.S. / $25.98 Canada.


Synopsis:
Former head of a special commando strike team, Colonel John Matrix (Schwarzenegger) is a soldier without peer. And because he’s lead so many special ops assignments, he’s been “retired” in order to protect him from retaliation. But now a vicious South American dictator that has a deadly grudge against Matrix has tracked him down and kidnapped his daughter Jenny (Milano). To get her back, Matrix is forced back into action and must return to South America for one last mission: kill President Velasquez – at any cost!


Special Features:
Commando Director’s Cut is presented in widescreen (1.85:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1 Dolby Digital and Dolby Surround audio, Spanish Mono, French Stereo plus French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus content includes:
• Seamlessly branched Director’s Cut with never-before-seen footage
• Audio commentary by director Mark Lester (on theatrical version only)
• Deleted Scenes
• Pure Action featurette
• Let Off Some Steam featurette
• Photo galleries with over 150 images
o Creating Commando
o Domestic Bliss with John and Jenny
o Kill Arnold, Kill!
o Trashing the Galleria

A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS, DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD) as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.
# # #

COMMANDO DIRECTOR’S CUT
Street Date: September 18, 2007
Price: $19.98 U.S. / $25.98 Canada
U.S. Rating: R
Theatrical Run Time: 90 minutes
Director’s Cut Run Time: 95 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

Uwe Boll's Alone in the Dark Directors Cut Coming in September!

No, I'm not making this up! You can bet, we're going to review this when it comes out.

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/9343

Bwahahahahaha!! Seriously, what the hell do we need this for? Lionsgate Home Entertainment will re-release Uwe Boll's abomination Alone In The Dark (review) in a new Unrated Director's Cut on September 25th, according to Davis DVD. Featuring three additional minutes worked back into the film, the horror film - starring Christian Slater, Tara Reid, and Stephen Dorff - arrrives with an anamorphic widescreen transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 tracks. Extras will include a new commentary with beloved director Uwe Boll, deleted scenes, music videos and a video game. Retail is $19.98. Awesome, three more minutes of terrible directing - or maybe the opening crawl is even longer?

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/9683

I know I wasn't the only one disappointed when the director's cut of Uwe Boll's Alone In The Dark was said to only feature three additional minutes of footage. But that is not the case! Uwe Boll himself has confirmed that the film actually has EIGHT more minutes of previously unseen footage, but that he also removed five, hence only a three minute additional running time. According to Boll, "The new version is only 3 minutes longer than the old one, but totally different edited (less Tara Reid ... more Action!)." Color me intrigued. The new DVD, which also has a new commentary by Boll, drops on September 25th.

Specs for DEATH PROOF UNRATED EXTENDED EDITION

Nearly 30 minutes longer than the original theatrical version, the Unrated Extended cut includes footage never-before-seen domestically, including the conspicuous ‘missing reel’ of Ferlito’s lap dance, and a black-and-white segment in the second ‘act,’ offering a prelude to Russell’s Stuntman Mike character.

Synopsis
A creepy stunt driver whose taste for stalking lovely young ladies gets him into big trouble when he tangles with the wrong gang of badass babes. Their confrontation escalates to an extended mano-a-mano car chase with one of the girls strapped to the hood of a thundering Dodge Challenger.



Special Features

• Finding Quentin’s Gals
  
• The Guys Of Death Proof
  
• Kurt Russell As Stuntman Mike
  
• Introducing Zoe Bell
  
• Quentin’s Greatest Collaborator: Editor Sally Menke
  
• Double Dare Trailer
  
• And International Poster Gallery
  

Basics
Price: $29.95
Street Date: 09/18/07
Order Due Date: 08/07/07
MPAA Rating: NR
Languages: English 5.1, French 5.1, Italian 5.1
Subtitles: English and Spanish
Running Time: 1 hour 53 minutes
Catalog Number: 80388 (Widescreen)
Closed Captioned

SHOCK IT TO ME! The one place to be during Halloween on the West Coast!

Lest one think this is strictly an East Coast blog, we have some great news to spread about the number one film festival in the Bay area for genre fans. With great films and some great guests, this is going to be a must-see event for anyone who can make it.

SHOCK IT TO ME! HORROR FILM FEST INVADES THE
CASTRO THEATRE FOR A SPOOK-TACULAR THIRD YEAR!

SPECIAL GUESTS TO INCLUDE LEGENDARY DIRECTOR
JOE DANTE, HAMMER FILM STARLET VERONICA CARLSON, AND HORROR HOST JOHN STANLEY!

San Francisco — The third annual SHOCK IT TO ME! Horror Film Festival oozes its way into San Francisco’s prestigious Castro Theatre to kick off the Halloween season, with a dozen classic horror films, October 5th -7th, 2007, with a horrific mix of fright films, special guest fiends, ghoulish giveaways, midnight mayhem and more. Hosted by the respected Doktor Goulfinger and lovely Ms. Monster.

Our Guests of Honor this year are actress Veronica Carlson, who will present two of her favorite films, a Hammer Horror double feature of “Dracula Has Risen From the Grave” (1968) and “Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” (1969), on Friday, October 5th, Also, the legendary director Joe Dante, will be on hand on Saturday October 6th, to host an entire day of his films, including his 1981 werewolf masterpiece, “The Howling.” They will appear on stage to answer audience questions and discuss their films between the screenings. (Ms. Carlson will be appearing all weekend, while Mr. Dante will be appearing only on Friday and Saturday. During the event),

The Castro Theatre and SHOCK IT TO ME! are also proud to welcome author and horror host John Stanley. If you grew up in Northern California in the '70s and '80s, you’ll remember Stanley as the host of the incredibly popular "Creature Features" (1971-84), broadcast on KTVU Channel 2. Fangoria magazine called John "The Leonard Maltin of Horror." John will not only meet with fans and interview our Guests of Honor on stage, but will bask in the glory of his new book, "I Was a TV Horror Host" -- a historic overview of the Horror Host phenomenon, with his experience on "Creature Features" being the centerpiece.

But that’s not all, there will be a rare midnight screening of “Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988), while fans of ‘70s Blaxploitation horror will scream their heads off at the double feature of “Blacula” (1972) and “Sugar Hill” (1974). Also featured this year will be Roman Polanski’s sinister tale of Satanism, “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968). Plus, more films to be announced – twelve terrifying titles in all!

Besides the movies themselves, the upstairs mezzanine of the Castro Theatre will be packed with vendors, eager to sell their horrific wares, goods, t-shirts, memorabilia, posters, DVDs, models, and all things spooky and kooky.

SHOCK IT TO ME! only happens once a year, so don’t miss out on the scariest event of the Halloween Season – we’ll scare the YELL out of you!

www.shock-it-to-me.com
www.myspace.com/shockit2me
www.castrotheatre.com

“SHOCK IT TO ME!” 2007 Film Line-Up

• FRIDAY OCTOBER 5th

GET HAMMERED WITH VERONICA CARLSON!
Hammer Horror Double Feature

DRACULA HAS RISEN FROM THE GRAVE
Director Freddie Francis, 92 mins., 1968
An atmospheric and beautifully shot Gothic Horror! The Prince of Darkness (Lee) rises from the dead to seek revenge upon Monsignor Muller (Davies), who dared consecrate Castle Dracula, and plots the corruption of his niece Maria (Carlson). Can her atheist lover, Paul (Andrews), save her from eternal damnation? Christopher Lee, Rupert Davies, Veronica Carlson, Barry Andrews, Ewan Hooper, Michael Ripper

FRANKENSTEIN MUST BE DESTROYED
Director Terence Fisher, 101 mins. 1969
One of Hammer’s finest moments! After narrowly being caught for murder, the obsessed Baron Frankenstein (Cushing) takes up residence in a boarding home, but will stop at nothing to proceed with his blasphemous experiments. Frankenstein cruelly blackmails a young couple (Carlson and Ward) into assisting him with his diabolical work. Peter Cushing, Veronica Carlson, Freddie Jones, Simon Ward, Thorley Walters

• FRIDAY OCTOBER 5th

MIDNIGHT MOVIE MASSACRE!
The Late Night Creature Features Picture Show

Feature TBA

• SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th

JOE DANTE’S MONSTROUS MOVIE MATINEE!
Family Friendly Double Feature with director Joe Dante

MATINEE
Director Joe Dante, 99 mins. 1993
A nostalgic tribute to a time when children were able forget the problems of the outside world in a darkened movie theater. During the hysteria of the Cuban Missile Crisis, a young boy (Fenton) looks forward to the opening of the low-budget horror film, Mant!, brought to town by gimmicky producer Lawrence Woolsey – loosely based on schlockmeister William Castle (The Tingler). John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Simon Fenton, Robert Picardo, Dick Miller

GREMLINS 2: THE NEW BATCH
Director Joe Dante, 106 mins. 1990
Here they grow again! When the genetics division of the titanic Clamp Corporation, run by Daniel Clamp (Glover), exposes the hapless Gizmo to water, a monstrous pandemonium of Gremlins take over Clamp Towers. As the creatures run amok, they soon threaten to take a bite out of the Big Apple – a really big bite. Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, John Glover, Christopher Lee, Robert Picardo, Dick Miller, Keye Luke

• SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th

JOE DANTE’S MONSTERS WALK AMONG US!
Diabolical Double Feature with director Joe Dante

THE HOWLING
Director Joe Dante, 91 mins. 1981

Investigating the background of the serial killer who threatened to murder her, television anchor Karen White (Wallace) begins to uncover the terrifying secret below the veneer of the small community from which he came. Inexorably, she and her husband (Stone) are drawn into a twilight world in which werewolves are very real, and aren’t fond of publicity. Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Elisabeth Brooks, Christopher Stone, Robert Picardo, Kevin McCarthy, John Carridine, Slim Pickens

Co-Feature TBA

• SATURDAY OCTOBER 6th

MIDNIGHT MOVIE MASSACRE!
The Late Night Creature Features Picture Show

Feature TBA

• SUNDAY OCTOBER 7th

BE AFRO’D! BE VERY AFRO’D!
‘70s Super Soul Shocker Matinee

BLACULA
Director William Crain, 93 mins. 1972
His bite was outta sight! Interior decorators buy the coffin of an African prince bitten by Dracula centuries before and bring it back to Los Angeles. Prince Mamuwalde (Marshall) feeds his hunger while stalking the woman who is the reincarnation of his departed wife (McGee). William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicolas, Thalmus Rasulala, Elisha Cook Jr.

SUGAR HILL
Director Paul Maslansky, 91 mins. 1974
A Blaxpoiltation Zombie Feast! When her boyfriend is murdered by the mob, Sugar Hill (Bey) comes up with a plan to stick it to The Man (Quarry)! With the help of a Voodoo Queen, she sells her soul to Baron Zamedi (Colley), the Lord of the Dead, in order to raise a zombie army to exact revenge! Marki Bey, Robert Quarry, Don Pedro Colley, Richard Lawson, Zara Culley, Big Walter Price

• SUNDAY OCTOBER 7th

THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT!
Demonic Double Feature

ROSEMARY'S BABY
Director Roman Polanski, 136 mins. 1968
Polanski's dark masterpiece! Strange things occur to newlyweds Guy and Rosemary Woodhouse (Cassavetes and Farrow) after moving into a gothic Manhattan building – she is plagued by nightmares and her husband turns cold and distant. When Rosemary becomes pregnant, she suspects that their neighbors have sinister designs on her child. Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Ralph Bellamy, Victoria Vetri, Elisha Cook Jr.

Co-feature TBA

Exhumed Films Presents 24 HOURS of horror this October in Philadelphia!

From the EF websites at www.exhumedfilms.com. More info to come in the near future.

Oct. 27-28: 24 Hour Horror-thon!

Tickets $20

Doors open Saturday at 11am--show starts at noon

Exhumed Films celebrates its 10th anniversary with the biggest show in its history: a full 24 hour marathon of nonstop horror mayhem! We'll start at noon on Saturday and go straight through until noon on Sunday. To add an element of fun and surprise, the lineup of films is being kept secret--people who come to the show will find out the what each feature is as it is unspooling onto the screen. The show will be a combination of some of the biggest horror titles of the last 30 years or so mixed with some really rare gems. Plus tons of classic trailers, shorts, and other oddities. Rest assured, our audience will get the requisite zombies, maniacs, and monsters they've come to expect from an Exhumed show. Our main rule is this: nothing dull. Every film we screen will be crazy, bloody, ridiculous fun. Do you have what it takes to last the full 24 hours? Who will survive, and what will be left of them? Don't miss this once in a lifetime event!



Need more information? Check out the FAQ!

* * *



Exhumed Films 24 Hour Horror-thon FAQ

Q: Why are you guys doing this show?
A: For a few reasons:
1. It's our tenth anniversary and we want to do something special
2. Nothing like this has ever been done in the Philadelphia area
3. It's going to be lots of fun.and a test of endurance

Q: Is it really going to go on for 24 hours? Nonstop?
A: Yes. If all goes as planned, it should be nonstop movies, shorts, and
trailers for the full 24 hours.

Q: So how many full length films will you actually be screening?
A: Thirteen, most likely.

Q: Thirteen movies? Isn't that...y'know....kind of insane?
A: Yes. Completely

Q: When is it happening?
A: The show will start on Saturday October 27th at 12 noon. It will end on Sunday October 28th at approximately 12 noon. Tickets will be onsale at 11am on the 27th.

Q: Where is the show taking place?
A: The International House at University of Pennsylvania, 3701 Chestnut
Street, Philadelphia.

Q: How much does it cost to get into this show?
A: Tickets for the marathon are only $20. This is a very expensive program for us to put together, but as a "thank you" to our audience, we're keeping the ticket price as low as possible. That's less than $1 per hour of entertainment!

Q: Can I buy my tickets in advance?
A: As of right now, the only way to guarantee seating is to be at the
I-House when tickets go onsale at 11am on Oct. 27. But that might change; if we do sell advance tickets, we'll post it on the site.

Q: What if I plan to come late or only stay for a few movies-can I get in at a reduced rate?
A: Sorry, but tickets are still $20 whether you plan on staying for the
entire 24 hours or just a few hours.

Q: Can I watch a few films, leave, then come back later?
A: Yes. All audience members will receive a wristband and also a handstamp to verify that you have paid your $20. Just be sure to keep your wristband and your stamp visible so that if you go out for a while and come back later, you'll have proof that you have already paid & will be allowed re-entry to the theater.

Q: What if I wash my hands and accidentally wash off the handstamp?
A: Don't wash the top of your hand.

Q: Okay, here's the big question: what movies are you going to show?
A: It's a secret.

Q: Why aren't you announcing what movies are playing?
A: Again, for a few reasons:
1. It adds an element of surprise
2. It allows us to adjust our playlist of movies if we come across something unique shortly before the show

Q: Well, I'm not paying $20 for any show that doesn't tell me what movies I'll be watching.
A: That's not a question.

Q: Who are you, Alex Trebek? Fine, I'll rephrase it.why should I come to
this show if I don't know what's playing?
A: Because the movies we're showing are all really good. Really. You have to trust us.

Q: Why should I trust you?
A: If you look at the list of movies we've shown over the last ten years,
you'll see we've shown some of the greatest horror films of all time. You
know what we have access to. When we say we're showing really good films, we mean it. This is one of the coolest film combos we've ever done, and a great way to celebrate Halloween weekend. And at only $20, it's a bargain even if you only stay for a few movies!

Q: Can you give us any hints as to what's playing?
A: I can say this: the lineup will be a combination of films we've shown
before and other titles we've never screened. The majority of the titles
could be considered fan favorites, but we have some really exciting rarities
as well. The films are primarily from the 1970s & 1980s. You'll get a
little of everything: zombies, slashers, classic monsters, exploitation,
extreme gore and extreme campiness. Our primary rule in selecting the films for the lineup was that we wanted every single title to be gory or goofy action packed fun, and I think we've succeeded.

Q: Are you selling food at this show?
A: The I-House does not have a concession stand, per se, but there are
vending machines and a small café in the lobby, and there's a Wawa right
down the street. There are also a number of nearby restaurants if you want to sneak out for lunch, dinner, etc. or pick up a pizza to bring back to the show. You are welcome to bring in outside food as long as you do not make a mess and you clean up after yourself.

Q: Will there be other stuff to buy?
A: As always, Diabolik DVD will have a table set up throughout much of the
show. We should also have a new 10th anniversary commemorative t-shirt for sale.

Q: Besides money for tickets and DVDs and t-shirts, what else should I bring to the show?
A: If you're in for the long haul, a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag
might make for a cozier viewing experience at 3am. Also plan on bringing
lots of quarters to fill the parking meter periodically if you drive to the
show. Perhaps some caffeine pills or Red Bull would come in handy. And
Tylenol.

Q: This show sounds like a cool idea. Is there anything I can do to help
with the marathon?
A: Tell your friends. Most of the people who discover Exhumed Films do so
via word of mouth. This is obviously a very expensive undertaking for us,
so the more people who attend, the greater the likelihood of our breaking
even! You might also consider passing out some fliers in your area to help
spread the word.

Ichi the Killer 2 Disc Media Blasters DVD Review

By Brad Thompson

Media Blasters had listed their upcoming 2-disc special edition of ICHI THE KILLER in catalog's as early as 2003 yet it nearly took them four years to put it out. So…is it really worth it? For die-hard fans and those who didn’t pick up the standard edition back in 2003, this improvement is worth every penny. The only major drawback would be the gimmicky “Blood Pack” casing; both discs were a major pain in the ass to get out of the packaging and the main feature had some gooey stain on the disc from being pressed too hard against the fake blood. I highly suggest putting the discs in a separate case to prevent possible scratches or unwanted slime smeared on your player’s lens.

Disc 1:

Feature Film – Apparently, this transfer came from a new film print, but I sold my original release a few years ago so I can’t compare the image quality side by side. Looks like a movie made in 2001 would look like: pretty damn nice.

28 Production Photos – Ported over from the older release, these are just promotional photographs found all over the web and aren’t really that special.

Audio commentary with director Takashi Miike and Manga artist/writer Hideo Yamamoto - Fairly entertaining audio commentary ported over from the previous release.

Original Japanese Theatrical Trailer

Tokyo Shock Trailers - (ULTIMATE VERSUS, ZEIRAM, THE NEIGHBOR NO. 13, ZEBRAMAN)

Featurette with director Eli Roth – A short featurette running about 7 minutes with Eli Roth (wearing a Cannibal Holocaust shirt) discussing the “operatic violence” and his love of the film. Also contains nude photos of actress Yuki Kazamatsuri (the prostitute who is graphically beaten with a baseball bat).

Disc 2

MEMORIES OF ICHI: THE MAKING OF- 48 minutes of behind the scenes footage from nearly every violent scene found in the film. If you want to see more nipple slicing, this is for you. **Also contains footage of Miike pulling a Japanese schoolboy by the hair. **

Interviews - with producer Dai Miyazaki ( 18:34 min), actors Tadanobu Asano (“Kakihara” 6:12 min), Nao Omori (“Ichi” 6:11 min), Sabu (“Suzuki” 5:20 min), Shinya Tsukamoto (“Jijii” 5:18 min) and an additional interview with Sabu and Shinya Tsukamoto ( 21:59 min).

Takashi Miike Trailers - FUDOH: THE NEXT GENERATION, THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, DEADLY OUTLAW REKKA, IZO, THE WAY TO FIGHT, VISITOR Q, FAMILY, ONE MISSED CALL, BODYGUARD KIBA, SILVER and the ICHI THE KILLER 2-Disc DVD set.

THE CULT OF ICHI: 10 minutes of fanboys gushing about the film including Stephen R. Bissette (Illustrator of CONSTANTINE and SWAMP THING), Barbara Nedeljakova (Actress in HOSTEL), Lucky McKee (Director of MAY and THE WOODS), Scott Spiegel (Executive Producer of EVIL DEAD II), Jack Ketchum (Author of THE LOST and GIRL NEXT DOOR), Tony Timpone (Editor of FANGORIA), Mike Mendez (Director of THE CONVENT and THE GRAVEDANCERS), Debbie Rochon (Co-Host of Fangoria Radio), Chris D. (Author of OUTLAW JAPANESE MASTERS OF FILM ). I don’t understand why Media Blasters wasted time and money on these when they could have brought over other extras such as the interview with Alien Sun from the Dutch DVD release.

A pretty damned good release even though I don’t care too much for the actual film. It would have been great had Media Blasters included all of the interviews and featurettes on the Dutch release, but you can tell a lot of effort went into this for the fans.