"BIG MAN JAPAN" and "SEVERED WAYS" - on DVD July 28th from Magnolia Home Entertainment

A Japanese Monster Movie For The Modern Generation, BIG MAN JAPAN Staring Pop Icon Hitoshi Matusmoto, Arrives On DVD July 28 from Magnolia Home Entertainment As Part Of The Magnet Six Shooter Film Series

“From deadpan to Ultraman”(UGO)

“Surpasses any mockumentary you've ever seen.”(Boxoffice Magazine)

Part live-action, part CGI, BIG MAN JAPAN follows the mundane, yet outlandish life of Daisato (Masumoto), a middle-aged man living in a rundown, graffiti-ridden slum.

Entrusted with defending Japan from its various villains and monsters, his bizarre job involves being shocked by bolts of electricity that transform him into a several-stories-high giant. Instead of rising up as a hero, he is an outcast among the citizens he protects, who bitterly complain about the noise and destruction of property he causes.

Putting a dark, comedic spin on the giant Japanese superhero, BIG MAN JAPAN is an outrageous portrait of a pathetic but truly unique hero.

Actors: Riki Takeuchi
Directors: Hitoshi Matsumoto
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Number of discs: 1
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: July 28, 2009
Run Time: 108 minutes

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An Epic Adventure Of Exploration, SEVERED WAYS Arrives On DVD July 28 From Magnolia Home Entertainment

“Beautifully shot.”New York Magazine

“A must see.”LA Weekly

“A visionary work from one of the promising new American narrative filmmakers in recent years.”Indiewire

In the 11th century, Vikings, Native Americans, and Irish monks collide on the shores of North America in a historical epic adventure of exploration, personal glory, and religious dominance. Abandoned by a Western exploration party and stranded in the New World, two lone Vikings wade through a grand primeval landscape, searching against all odds to find their way home. As they struggle to survive in the surrounding vast forests, their paths diverge as one pursues a spiritual quest and the other reverts to his primal instincts.

Written, directed by and starring Tony Stone in his feature length debut, SEVERED WAYS features a frosty black metal soundtrack, including Burzum, Morbid Angel, Judas Priest and Dimmu Borgir.

Actors: Gaby Hoffman
Directors: Tony Stone
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Number of discs: 1
Rating: Unrated
Studio: Magnolia Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: July 28, 2009
Run Time: 109 minutes
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"BIG MAN JAPAN" and "SEVERED WAYS" - on DVD July 28th from Magnolia Home Entertainment

"THE DRUNKEN SEVERED HEAD SHOW" -- DVD review by porfle

DRUNKEN SEVERED HEAD SIGHTING!!!

That's right--I received a copy of "THE DRUNKEN SEVERED HEAD SHOW" in the mail, popped it into my DVD player, and sure enough, I sighted him right off. Or perhaps it would be more grammatically correct to say that I "sought" him. Or maybe even "sawed" him. One thing's for sure, somebody definitely sawed him--his head off, that is!

Seriously, though, getting this DVD was a big surprise. Sure, I requested a copy, but getting it was a big surprise. That feeling continued throughout my entire viewing, as I kept asking myself, "How do they get stuff like this to stick to one of those discs?" And when it was over, I knew that I would never, ever, ever, never, ever forget this memorable occasion of me watching this thing where some people did stuff.

Yes, "The Drunken Severed Head Show" has actual people in it, just like a Steven Spielberg movie! Blogosphere superstar Max Cheney is the perpetually-soused title character in one of the finest neck-up performances since Jack Webb in DRAGNET. When he gets together with Chuck Alexander as the mad Dr. Emil Demahn, you'll think you've been transported back to the glory days of the old vaudeville teams like Schmeckel and Mountbatten, or those two guys who tried to escape from Alcatraz disguised as giant tubes of Preparation H.

"Last week, you may remember," the Drunken Severed Head addresses us, "we made a cocktail known as the Jack-o-Lantern. One gulp, and you're lit up and lying in the driveway. This week, we're gonna make a drink called the Gay Vision. One gulp, and you can't see straight."


My favorite part of the show, however, is the beautiful and sexy and beautiful Bella Morta, who is played by the--ehhh--Amberleigh Miller, who is played by herself. She has big boobies!!! And is a great actress. Ehhh. And last but certainly least is Lance Jerlsberg as Flotsam the Hunchback, who is played out.

DRUNKEN SEVERED HEAD: "That poor man. How did he get that hump?"

DR. DEMAHN: "From smoking too many Camels."


The thrill-packed story comes to its shattering conclusion when Dr. Demahn gives the head a mechanical body and it goes on a frenzied rampage of destruction the likes of which the world hasn't seen since Elizabeth Taylor's last bon-bon rolled under the couch back in 1987. And the very last shot was, like, totally copied by Stanley Kubrick in DR. STRANGELOVE! I smell a lawsuit! Anyway, I smell something.

Bonus features, we got. In fact, three whole commentary tracks we got. "But even CITIZEN KANE didn't get three commentary tracks!" you're thinking. FEH! CITIZEN KANE had a giant head, not a drunken severed head. Oxydation of the nitrate, it should get! So anyway, in the first commentary you get the Head, beloved film auteur Ted Newsom, and the venerable Jon Carradyne, as channeled by Ted Newsom. In the second, you the Head and the venerable Jon Carradyne, this time channeled, spanked, bikini-waxed, and hung up to dry by Ted Newsom. And in the third you just get the Head and Ted Newsom, channeled by Ted Newsom. Then there's a selection of deleted scenes and bloopers. Bloopers? Are those the scenes where they didn't screw up? Lastly, there's a photo gallery, which, to my surprise, contains actual photos.


According to the Hollywood rumor mill, this film went so far over budget that it singlehandedly drove Severed Head Productions, along with Someone Somewhere and Zeno Films, into total bankruptcy. Estimated final cost of the production is believed to have been well into the teens.

Co-director and star Cheney himself fills us in on the film's premiere "at a private gathering held at the recent Monster Bash convention. Actors Janet Ann Gallow, Jonathon Haze, Mark Redfield, and Jennifer Rouse were among those in attendance. And the amazing David Colton, too! The poor saps.

"Reviews were mixed.

"Ms. Gallow said it was cute and funny, and reminded her of a recent comic indie film she had a part in.

"My friend Rob Tullo said, 'Four copies would make a nice set of coasters.'

"My friend Robert Taylor said it was 'A horror pun-fest that only Max could have created. My prediction is that he will be up for an Academy nomination OR an atomic wedgie!'"

"Where in the world can I get my own copy of this masterpiece?" you may ask. Who are you talking to? I can't hear you. But to answer your question, you can get a copy of THE DRUNKEN SEVERED HEAD SHOW in either of the following two ways (three, if you have Max Cheney's home address and a box of Ding-Dongs):

1. Contact The Drunken Severed Head at his own incredible BLOG!
2. See it right now on YouTube!

After watching "The Drunken Severed Head Show", you won't believe it's only ten minutes long. Why, it seemed like it lasted forever! And even after repeated viewings, I seem to notice something completely different every time. Last time I watched it, I noticed that my toenails needed trimming and that there was a dark splotch on the wall behind the TV that looked just like Elvis--with big boobies!!!

"THE DRUNKEN SEVERED HEAD SHOW" -- DVD review by porfle

THIS AMERICAN LIFE: SEASON TWO -- DVD review by porfle

Beginning as a "journalistic non-fiction" series on Chicago Public Radio, Showtime's "This American Life" takes host Ira Glass all over the USA looking for unique people with interesting stories. THIS AMERICAN LIFE: SEASON TWO, containing all six episodes on one disc, is a collection of these true-life tales which range from mildly interesting to downright fascinating.

Most episodes present two-to-four slice-of-life vignettes loosely based on a single theme. "Escape" begins with the incongruous sight of a group of inner-city kids ambling down the grimy streets of North Philadelphia on horseback. Thanks to the man who runs the stable (which has since closed, according to the commentary), these kids get to escape their dreary lives for a few hours a day and gain some self-respect by riding and caring for the horses.

Next is the amazing story of a guy named Mike who has spinal muscular atrophy. With a tiny body that resembles a deflated balloon, Mike is totally helpless and dependent on his mother. At 27, however, he wants to escape from her and live his own life, which presents a number of problems. Unable to speak--his finger moves just enough to operate a device that types his words on a monitor--Mike chooses either Johnny Depp or Edward Norton as the person with whose voice he'd most prefer replacing his robotlike computer one. Depp accepts the assignment and reads Mike's written thoughts and feelings for us during the segment. Mike is remarkably resilient, upbeat, and optimistic despite his often tenuous hold on life, and his story is hardly the maudlin "inspirational" blather it might have been.

"Two Wars" is about an Iraqi student living in the US after fleeing his war-ravaged home country. As a summer vacation social experiment, he travels from place to place, setting up a stand with a sign reading "Talk To An Iraqi" (an idea he admits to have copped from Charles Schultz). This results in a predictably wide range of views and opinions exchanged by him and the various Americans who take him up on the offer. Then we encounter a Bulgarian man living in Rhode Island who refuses to mow his lawn, to the constant chagrin of his American wife. He manages to come up with a political justification for this, which I don't buy for a second. I'm lazy too, see--enough to recognize it in someone else even when he calls it a "laidback approach to life" coupled with an Eastern European "irony and cynicism." His wife asks, "So, you think it's ironic not to mow the lawn?" to which he rather lamely responds, "No, it's ironic...to want to mow the lawn." Uh-huh. Admit it, dude, you're just plain lazy. Next.

"Going Down In History" starts with a hilarious account of two convicts who make a daring and rather ingenious escape attempt using dental floss. An amusing look at the impermanence of our youthful memories centers around "Picture Day" at a high school. Lastly, a birdwatcher scouring the swamps for the elusive ivory-billed woodpecker, rumored to have been extinct for the last fifty years, insists that he captured a fleeting glimpse of one on a grainy videotape in 2005. He admits that his evidence is about as convincing as the average Bigfoot film, yet convinced he is, and in the swamp he remains.

The final act of this episode, however, is the most startling. A man who was beaten almost to death by a group of guys in a parking lot several years ago now gets revenge by casting his attackers as SS officers in a one-sixth scale recreation of a Belgian village that he's built in his backyard. Painstakingly modified action figures stand in for the Nazis, the villagers, and the heroic freedom fighters of which he is one, along with a green-haired femme fatale from the future who serves as his faithful protector. Obsessed with his self-created fantasy world, he has devoted his life to depicting the bloody demise of these SS officers, over and over again, and the romantic exploits of his one-sixth-scale surrogate self, diligently photographing the results (which would make a bitchin' fumetti). Needless to say, the guy doesn't get out much.

"Underdogs" reveals a side of boxing of which I was unaware--fighters referred to as "opponents" who, although they do their best, are expected to lose in order to chalk up victories on an up-and-coming boxer's record. Even so, they must win occasionally in order to qualify as worthy fighters. Here, we see two such opponents pitted together in a fight each must win to stay in the game. It's an emotional segment in which I found it hard to decide who to root for, since they're both decent guys who really need the money and the respect. Act two explores the unusual world of adolescent stand-up comics who use humor to transcend their status as picked-on social outcasts. I'd like to have heard more of these kids' comedy acts, but unfortunately some droll, droning adult "spoken word" performer dominates the segment with his dull commentary.

"Scenes From a Marriage" is the most riveting episode in the collection. After an amusing cartoon intro that explores how different a husband and wife's perceptions of the same event can be, we're introduced to a 54-year-old man named George and his 18-year-old Korean mail-order-bride. Theirs is an idyllic life on their rolling acres of beautiful secluded land as they frolic with their dogs and make like a rustic Adam and Eve. Which is what this documentary was intended to be about--until something happens that unexpectedly flips the whole thing upside-down and turns it into a waking nightmare. And all because George, who is so nice and normal and level-headed most of the time, seems to have this one little itty-bitty teeny-tiny screw loose in his head.

Finally, there's the extended episode "John Smith", a composite story of a life told through several different John Smiths, each at a different stage from infancy to one foot in the grave. It's a cute idea that doesn't really come together as intended but has a lot of heartfelt moments.

The DVD is widescreen with Dolby Digital sound. I found the music quite irritating throughout, but maybe that's just me. The main bonus feature is the almost 90-minute presentation "This American Life LIVE!", a multi-media show performed by Glass in front of a theater audience. He presents scenes from the series on the big screen while sitting at a mock-up of his radio DJ console, occasionally inviting director Christopher Wilcha out for a chat as well. Glass and Wilcha also do a commentary track for the first episode ("Escape"), and there's a small photo gallery.

"Scenes From a Marriage" probably comes closest to what I consider a real documentary, meaning that the filmmakers simply point their cameras at real life and shoot. It's harder to do, it takes more time and patience, and there's a lot more footage to sort through looking for the good stuff to edit together. But it really pays off by convincing us that what we're seeing is real and is happening before our eyes. Other segments such as "Picture Day" consist mainly of interviews, which is fine.

A lot of what we see on "This American Life" is what I think of as "designer" documentaries, so carefully directed and cinematic that they're more staged than real. The story of Mike, the young man suffering from spinal muscular atrophy, is a good example. The subjects are portraying themselves in re-enactments that are so preplanned as to seem storyboarded. Not much spontaneity, except when the camera inadvertently captures some genuine unexpected moment of real life, usually during the interview shots when people are candidly revealing their thoughts.

As director Christopher Wilcha puts it:

"...the radio show is sort of cinematic, these vivid characters and these vivid scenes and stories, and so we wanted to do something sort of cinematic. The radio show isn't straight news, and it's not straight documentary. And we wanted to try and translate that, so I think our reference points were often fiction films, and trying to just be a little more ambitious with the image-making."

I usually find this kind of made-to-order documentary technique bothersome, but "This American Life" does it very well. With their choice of subject matter and keen manipulation of same in order to present it in the most dramatic way possible, Glass and Wilcha have managed to create some wonderfully compelling television.

Buy it at Amazon.com

THIS AMERICAN LIFE: SEASON TWO -- DVD review by porfle

September Releases From CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment

STAR TREK THE ORIGINAL SERIES--SEASON TWO BLU-RAY
Space. The Final Frontier. The U.S.S. Enterprise embarks on a five year mission to explore the galaxy. The Enterprise is under the command of Captain James T. Kirk. The First Officer is Mr. Spock, from the planet Vulcan. The Chief Medical Officer is Dr. Leonard "Bones" McCoy. With a determined crew, the Enterprise encounters Klingons, Romulans, time paradoxes, tribbles, and genetic supermen led by Khan Noonian Singh. Their mission is to explore strange new worlds, to seek new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.

Actors: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, Eddie Paskey, Bill Blackburn, Walter Koenig, George Takei, Majel Barrett

ONE STEP BEYOND: THE OFFICIAL FIRST SEASON
"One Step Beyond" was mainly filmed at MGM Studios, and partly at MGM British Studios, Borehamwood, Herts. It premiered nine months before "The Twilight Zone", and was also known as "Alcoa Presents: One Step Beyond." All episodes are directed by host John Newland himself, a dab hand whose trademark is subtle, balletic camera work. This series fed the nation's growing interest in paranormal suspense in a different way. Rather than creating fictional stories with supernatural twists and turns, this program sought out "real" stories of the supernatural, including ghosts, disappearances, monsters, etc., and re-creating them for each episode. No solutions to these mysteries were ever found, and viewers could only scratch their heads and wonder, "what if it's real?"

Host: John Newland

Format: Box set, Black & White, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 3

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 15, 2009

Run Time: 561 minutes

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FRIDAY THE 13TH-THE SERIES: THE FINAL SEASON (US ONLY)
The suspense-drama series that brought back the serial horror genre to television features intense psychological terror and chilling suspense. Each eerie episode centers on an unlikely trio who run a shop full of rare and mysterious antiques whose previous owner was killed after making a sinister pact with the Devil. The team must race against time and fate to retrieve each diabolically cursed item sold from the hexed store before it unleashes its deadly force.

Actors: Louise Robey, John D. LeMay, Steve Monarque, Chris Wiggins

Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 5

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 22, 2009

Run Time: 914 minutes

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GHOST WHISPERER: THE FOURTH SEASON
Melinda Gordon communicates with earthbound spirits, ghosts who cling to the living because they have unfinished business that prevents them from moving beyond the familiar plane of existence that we call life. Inspired in part by the work of famed medium James Van Praagh and of Mary Ann Winkowski, a real-life communicator with spirits, "Ghost Whisperer" explores the spiritual side of life and death as Melinda navigates among the dead and the living in her sometimes chilling, sometimes heart-rending and sometimes amusing attempts to act as an intermediary between the ghosts and those they haunt.

Jim, her husband, worries about the emotional toll this work is taking on his wife as they embark on a new life together. Melinda recently has revealed her gift to her new friend, Delia Banks, a single mom who works in Melinda's antique shop. For her part, Melinda accepts her unique abilities as a blessing and sometimes curse, but always helps her clients, alive or dead, find emotional closure.

Actors: Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Conrad, Jamie Kennedy, Camryn Manheim

Format: Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 1

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 22, 2009

Run Time: 1015 minutes

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BONANZA: SEASON ONE, VOLUME ONE/VOLUME TWO
One of the longest running and most popular of ll television westerns, "Bonanza" was both an action/adventure classic and family drama. For fourteen seasons, audiences enthusiastically tuned in to see the High Sierra adventures of the Cartwright clan. Nestled amongst the pines above the shores of Lake Tahoe is the Ponderosa ranch, the thousand-acre home of Ben Cartwright and his sons, Adam, Hoss, and Joe (aka "Little Joe"). Plots featuring revolving cast of interesting guest players helped to set Bonanza apart from the usual gun-slinging formula Westerns of the day.

Actors: Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, Victor Yung

Format: Box set, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. )

Number of discs: 8

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount Home Entertainment

DVD Release Date: September 15, 2009

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CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION: THE NINTH SEASON DVD AND BLU-RAY (US ONLY)
"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" is a fast-paced drama about a passionate team of forensic investigators trained to solve crimes the old-fashioned way--by examining the evidence. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is on the case 24-7, scouring the scene, collecting irrefutable evidence and finding the missing pieces that will solve the mystery.

Actors: William L. Peterson, Marg Helgenberger, Gary Dourdan, Eric Szmanda, Laurence Fishburne, George Eads, Wallace Langham, Lauren Lee Smith, Paul Guilfoyle

Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Number of discs: 6

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 1, 2009

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CSI MIAMI: THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON (US ONLY)
Join lead criminalist Horatio Caine (David Caruso) and his state-of-the-art forensics team as they investigate hot and steamy Miami crimes using cold hard facts. The evidence leads into seedy nightclubs, privileged suburbs, and explosive family secrets. The stakes are higher than ever before, because this time it's personal.

Actors: David Caruso, Emily Procter, Adam Rodriguez, Jonathan Togo, Megalyn Echikunwoke, Eve LaRue

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 1

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 15, 2009

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CRIMINAL MINDS: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON
"Criminal Minds" revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again. The Behavorial Analysis Unit's most prominent agent is David Rossi (Joe Mantegna), a founding member of the BAU, who returns to help the team solve new cases, while pursuing some unfinished business of his own. Each member brings his or her own area of expertise to the table as they pinpoint predators' motivations and identify their emotional triggers in the attempt to stop them.

Actors: Joe Mantegna, Paget Brewster, A.J. Cook, Thomas Gibson, Matthew Gubler, Shemar Moore, Kirsten Vangsness

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Number of discs: 7

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 8, 2009

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THE GAME: THE FIRST SEASON
Being the wife or girlfriend of a pro-football player might sound like glamorous and stress-free existence, but Melanie Barnett (Tia Mowry) is about to discover the truth. Melanie's boyfriend, Derwin, is the new third-string wide receiver for the San Diego Sabers. While Derwin worries about the plays on the field, Melanie learns about the power plays that NFL wives use to get their men the best agents, managers, endorsements, merchandising deals and even the "in" charity. As she deals with egos, groupies, and image consultants, Melanie is finding out how "the game" is played among the women behind the athletes.

Actors: Tia Mowry, Coby Bell, Hosea Chanchez, Brittany Daniel, Pooch Hall, Wendy Robinson

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 3

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 1, 2009

Run Time: 458 minutes

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CSI: NY: THE FIFTH SEASON (US ONLY)
"CSI: NY", the third incarnation of the "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" franchise and the spin-off of CSI: Miami, is a crime drama about forensic investigators who use high-tech science to follow the evidence and solve crimes in The Big Apple.

Actors: Gary Sinise, Melina Kanakaredes, Carmine Glovinazzo, Eddie Cahill, Anna Belknap, A.J. Buckley

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 1

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 29, 2009

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TAXI: THE FOURTH SEASON
"Taxi" followed the life of a group of cabbies in New York. The group, employees of the Sunshine Cab Company, was made up of a motley crew including Bobby (Jeff Conaway), a frustrated actor, Tony (Tony Danza), a struggling boxer, Louie (Danny DeVito), the tyrannical dispatcher, and Reverend Jim (Christopher Lloyd), a spacey ex-hippie. The classic ensemble sitcom was hailed by critics and audiences alike after premiering on ABC Sept. 12, 1978. It's a vehicle with heart, as well as humor, and won three straight Emmys as Outstanding Comedy Series.

Actors: Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Andy Kaufman, Tony Danza, Christopher Lloyd

Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 3

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 22, 2009

Run Time: 581 minutes

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HARPER'S ISLAND: THE DVD EDITION
"Harper's Island" is about a group of family and friends who travel to a secluded island off the coast of Seattle for a destination wedding. This island is famous for a streak of unsolved murders from seven years ago. In every episode, someone is killed and every person is a suspect, from the wedding party to the island locals. By the end of the 13 episodes, all questions will be answered, the killer will be revealed, and only a few will survive.

Actors: Jim Beaver, Adam Campbell, Christopher Gorham

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)
Number of discs: 1

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: September 8, 2009

Buy it at Amazon.com

September Releases From CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment

Rob Zombie Presents "THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO" on DVD and Blu-ray September 22nd from Anchor Bay Entertainment

UNDEAD NAZIS, HORNY ROBOTS AND STRIPPERS GET ANIMATED ON DVD!


Beverly Hills, CA –Anchor Bay Entertainment will release The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, the first full-length animated feature from Director/Writer Rob Zombie (The Devil’s Rejects and 2009’s Halloween), on DVD and Blu-ray™ on September 22, 2009.

A longtime pet project of Zombie (he based it on his comic book), The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, is an ultra-hip, wickedly funny fantasy that’s a colorful blend of Fritz the Cat, “Scooby-Doo,” “Ren and Stimpy,” and Santo wrestling flicks. El Superbeasto is “Adults Only” animation available on DVD for an SRP of $19.97 and Blu-ray™ for $34.98.

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto is the twisted tale of El Superbeasto (voiced by Tom Papa), a former world class masked wrestler with super human strength, who now finds himself in the very ordinary capacity as producer/director/star of BeastoWorld Enterprises. But when he can, Beasto spends time fighting evil along with his with his super-sexy sister, Suzi X (Sheri Moon Zombie), in the spooky Monsterland. Our hefty hero faces his biggest battle when he struggles to stop the unholy marriage of foul-mouthed stripper Velvet Von Black (Rosario Dawson) and the diabolical Dr. Satan (Paul Giamatti). Will all hell break loose or will our man save the day? The answer can only be found in The Haunted World of El Superbeasto, a depraved adventure with filthy comedy, ultra-violence, and some bad-ass theme songs!

Along with the distinct voice work of Dawson, Giamatti, Moon Zombie, and Papa, The Haunted World of El Superbeasto also features many other instantly recognizable performers including Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Daniel Roebuck, Harland Williams, Cassandra Peterson, Clint Howard, Dee Wallace, Rob Paulsen, Tura Satana, and Danny Trejo.

With Rob Zombie, a cast of fan favorites, and original songs by Hard ‘n Phirm; The Haunted World of El Superbeasto is a trash culture wild ride that’s a soon-to-be cult classic.

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (DVD)

Street Date: September 22, 2009
Prebook Date: August 20, 2009
Catalog #: P2097
UPC #: 0 1313 82097-8 8
Format: 1.78:1 / 16x9
Audio: Dolby Surround 5.1
Retail Price: $19.97
Genre: Horror/Comedy/Animation
Rating: R
Run Time: 77 minutes
Bonus Features: Animatics, deleted scenes and shots, alternate scenes

The Haunted World of El Superbeasto (Blu-ray™)

Street Date: September 22, 2009
Prebook Date: August 20, 2009
Catalog #: N3118
UPC #: 0 1313 83118-8 7
Format: 1.78:1 / 16x9
Audio: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Retail Price: $34.98
Genre: Horror/Comedy/Animation
Rating: R
Run Time: 77 minutes
Bonus Features: Animatics, deleted scenes and shots, alternate scenes

Buy it at Amazon.com-- DVD / Blu-Ray

Rob Zombie Presents "THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO" on DVD and Blu-ray September 22nd from Anchor Bay Entertainment

"An Empress And The Warriors" Special Collectors' Edition Comes to DVD 7/21/09

A threatened kingdom locked in an epic battle for survival searches for a hero in AN EMPRESS & THE WARRIORS, debuting July 21st as a Special Collector’s Edition DVD from Genius Products and The Weinstein Company, under their heralded Dragon Dynasty label. AN EMPRESS & THE WARRIORS is a “fast-moving crowdpleaser” (Variety) that features stunning epic battle sequences, brilliantly designed costumes, weapons, and armor, and slick camerawork certain to keep fans riveted to their seats.

Synopsis:

When the Kingdom of Yan’s longtime leader is murdered by his own nephew, the monarch’s only daughter (Chen) ascends to the throne. As the kingdom is threatened by an invading army, she must join forces with a local general (Yen) and go to battle to avenge her father’s death and bring safety to her people.

Special Features:
Feature Commentary by Hong Kong Cinema Expert Bey Logan

Basics:

Price: $19.97

Street Date: July 21, 2009

Order Due Date: June 9, 2009

Catalog Number: 1000276

Rating: R

Run time: 95 minutes

Language: English and Cantonese

Subtitles: English and Spanish

Closed Captioned

Buy it at Amazon.com

"An Empress And The Warriors" Special Collectors' Edition Comes to DVD 7/21/09

One Night Only: Lincoln's Last Day, Presented by the Quicksilver Radio Theater Live in NYC July 9th!

This is one show I wont be missing and I would suggest you don't either!

Buy Tickets and Get Information at:
http://www.galapagosartspace.com/events.html#070909

One Night Only: Lincoln's Last Day, Presented by the Quicksilver Radio Theater Live in NYC July 9th!

"AUDITION" and "THE STEPFATHER" Coming to DVD in October from Shout! Factory

Here's the latest word on these two popular titles from our friends at Shout! Factory...

Coming October 6th: We are releasing AUDITION in a Two-Disc DVD and Two Disc Blu-Ray Collector's Edition. On both editions the second disc is all-new bonus content shot last month. 75 minutes of interviews.

We just complete a new High Definition transfer from the inter-negative and we have a new digital stereo mix. So, it should look and sound better than ever before!Here is the rundown:

*New video introduction with director Takashi Miike
*New audio commentary with director Takashi Miike and screenwriter Daisuke Tengan
*New interviews with the cast including Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi and Ren Osugi
*Trailers
*Liner notes by Tom Mes, author of Agitator: The Cinema of Takashi Miike


Coming October 13th: The original .. THE STEPFATHER

$19.99...New High Definition transfer! Bonus content including an audio commentary and interviews with Producer Jay Benson, Actress Jill Schoelen. And more to be announced.

"AUDITION" and "THE STEPFATHER" Coming to DVD in October from Shout! Factory

Nightmare Castle DVD Review: A Risk Worth Taking!

Severin films once again brings us more Italian classics with the Gothic horror film Nightmare Castle. It stars horror scream queen Barbara Steele, but perhaps even more interesting than the film itself, is the history behind the release of this movie and why it is important you support this Severin release.

Nightmare Castle is actually a well known horror film because it often played on American Television. The downside to this is that at some point it fell into the public domain (it no longer is). The problem with this is that censored and cropped TV prints have circulated on VHS and DVD for years. The risk of taking a title such as this that has been so heavily bootlegged is one few companies are willing to do these days. It's a big risk and one that I have to say was worth taking for Severin and for consumers wanting to seek out an enjoyable Italian Gothic horror film.

The film deals with the greed of a man and the steps he will take to take what is not rightfully his, even if it involves murder and driving his new wife insane. Barbara Steel actually play's the dual role of twin sisters. One the deceased spouse of Stephen Arrowsmith, and the other who is the now current spouse of the Evil Doctor. It's a movie that borrows a lot from other sources (and which the director freely admits too), but for fans of Italian Gothic horror you don't need to reinvent the wheel make a good movie.

The video is anamorphiclly enhanced for for widescreen at it's original aspect ratio of 1:66:1. There is some print damage and splices, but they are more the exception than the rule. Otherwise the crisp black and white picture blows all the public domain copies out of the water like a nuclear torpedo! The audio is standard English Mono and is clear and easy to understand.

In terms of extras Severin has really gone all out. Director Mario Caiano and his adorable pets give us a great 15 minute interview that talks about the making of the movie and is very informative, giving discussions of the lighting used to give the film it's creepy aura. Even more there is a 30 minute interview with actress Barbara Steele in which she discusses her early career, her deserting Elvis and how she got into Italian films.

In short Severin has rescued for the abyss of the "Public Domain" a Italian Gothic horror that fans will enjoy and extras that will make even casual fans of the movie want to pick this disc up. I can't wait to start see what Severin will be doing with Blu-ray.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Nightmare Castle DVD Review: A Risk Worth Taking!

"FABLE: TEETH OF BEASTS" Coming Soon!

We asked Melantha Blackthorne about the status of this upcoming release, and she told us: "It's still in post production but nearing its birth. This Summer for sure!" Till then, here's a preview...

Lilith Noir is a hardboiled freelance enforcer for the shadow government that keeps watch over the city of Fable, a mythical realm that exists just beneath the surface of our awareness. When a fast talking private detective shows up on her doorstep, Lilith is faced with the case of a lifetime.

A new drug has hit the streets of Fable, black market Ouija boards are everywhere, victims of bizarre murders are choking the city morgue, and the prime suspect is an ancient demon masquerading as an urban vagrant. Witchcraft. Guns. The Occult. Never a dull day in the twilight city.

Medicine Show Cinema

Also be on the lookout for--"AVERSION"

Aversion is an action-packed tale of a private investigator who discovers too late that the woman that he's hired to follow is possessed by a demon. Alex Stokes (Andrew Roth) is a down and out, self-destructive PI who takes cases wherever he can. When he's offered a healthy sum by a mysterious man to follow his beautiful wife (Melantha Blackthorne), he can't resist.

Her seemingly mundane day to day activities take a strange turn when she tries to kill herself. After Alex saves her, their chemistry is too much to resist and the two become romantically entangled. This is only the beginning as his friends and acquaintances begin to fall into a vortex of evil, leaving him alone to save mankind.

Watch the trailer here: AVERSION website

"FABLE: TEETH OF BEASTS" Coming Soon!

"MAD MONSTER RALLY"--Triple Treasure Trove of Terror Unleashes on DVD July 21st

Infinity Entertainment Group in Association With Retromedia Entertainment Proudly Presents MAD MONSTER RALLY--A Big Box of Scary!

LOS ANGELES — July 1, 2009 — Get ready for a monstrous midnight marathon as Morella, the Ghost Hostess with the Mostest, unveils a haunting collection of terror-ific goodness in Mad Monster Rally, on DVD July 21 from Infinity Entertainment Group.

The Mad Monster Rally box set includes three volumes – eight big films – guaranteed to keep you awake at night!

Morella’s All-Nite Spooktacular – Sit back and thrill to a chill-filled double-feature, The Cremators (1972) and House of Blood (1973).

Morella’s Blood Vision – This delightfully wicked offering featuring the walking dead includes Zombies (1964), The Blood Seekers (1965) and Blood Stalkers (1978).

Sci-Fi Trash-O-Rama – This trilogy of terror classics includes Creature of Destruction (1967), The Flying Saucer Mystery (1950) and UFO: Target Earth (1974)

The Cremators, House of Blood, Blood Seekers, Creature of Destruction, The Flying Saucer Mystery and UFO: Target Earth are presented in full frame with an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. Zombies is presented in anamorphic widescreen with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Blood Stalkers is presented in letterbox with an aspect ration of 1.85:1.

Retromedia Entertainment was launched in 2001 by CEO Fred Olen Ray, a well-known writer, director and producer of films across a broad range of genres. Among his most successful works are the award-winning films Invisible Mom, starring Dee Wallace, and Inner Sanctum, starring Tanya Roberts and Margaux Hemingway, both of which became "The Number One Most Rented" DVD titles in the U.S., according to the RIAA. The latter film earned Ray the Wall Street Journal headline "B Movie Makes A-Movie Money." Ray also directed the award-winning Black Horizon, starring Michael Dudikoff and Ice-T; Armed Response, starring David Carradine; and Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers, called the "4th Coolest B Movie of All Time" by Maxim magazine.

Infinity Entertainment Group, headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif., is a multi-service home entertainment retail distributor specializing in independent films, television programming, special-interest, documentaries, anime and music. Clients include Smithsonian Networks, MOJO HD, Falcon Picture Group, Bandai Entertainment, Roxbury Entertainment, SJ2 Entertainment and Retromedia. Hit titles include the iconic Route 66 television series, now available on DVD for the first time, and Spike Jones: The Legend. The company was launched in 2006 and is a division of Infinity Resources, Inc., a privately-held, multi-channel marketing and service enterprise with general offices based in suburban Chicago, Ill.

Mad Monster Rally
Infinity Entertainment Group
Genre: Sci-Fi/Horror
Not Rated
Format: DVD Only
Running Time: Approx. 640 Minutes
Suggested Retail Price: $24.98
Pre-Order Date: June 16, 2009
Street Date: July 21, 2009
Catalog #: IEG2132
UPC Code: #617742213294
Buy it at Amazon.com

"MAD MONSTER RALLY"--Triple Treasure Trove of Terror Unleashes on DVD July 21st

"STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI" on DVD June 30th

WITNESS THE ORIGINS OF THE STREET FIGHTER UNIVERSE STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI

The #1 Action Video Game Of All Time Battles On To Unleashed & Unrated Three-Disc Blu-ray And Two-Disc DVD June 30 From Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Includes Bonus Disc With Full-Length Animated Comic Movie About Genesis Of Street Fighter Universe

CENTURY CITY, CA -- Based on one of the most successful and popularvideo game franchises of all time, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li takes its acclaimed heroine on an action-packed quest for justice when it debuts on Unleashed & Unrated three-disc Blu-ray and two-disc DVD June 30 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Featuring for a limited time the full-length animated comic movie, Street Fighter Round One: FIGHT!, the film delves deeper into the origins of the Street Fighter universe.

Starring five-time Teen Choice Award nominee Kristen Kreuk ("Smallville") in the iconic title role, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li is a pulse-pounding, non-stop thrill ride. In this classic story of good vs. evil, Chun-Li (Kreuk) must stand strong against the Shadaloo syndicate who is determined to take over Bangkok slums already teeming with a dangerous criminal element. Directed by Andrzej Bartkowiak, who also directed the hit video game feature Doom, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li also features high-impact performances from stars including Screen Actors Guild award nominee Neil McDonough ("Desperate Housewives"), two-time Teen Choice Award nominee Chris Klein (American Pie), Michael Clarke Duncan (Sin City), Moon Goodblood (Terminator Salvation) and Taboo (musical group Black Eyed Peas).

Featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the #1 all-time coin operated video game, and a brand new Street Fighter next-gen counsel video game released in February 2009, the Street Fighter name has stood the test of time with its lasting appeal. The Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Unleashed & Unrated Blu-ray Disc with Digital Copy and two-disc DVD editions include a bonus disc with the full-length animated comic movie, Street Fighter Round One: FIGHT!, commentary by producers Patrick Aiello and Ashok Amritraj and cast members Neal McDonough and Chris Klein, behind-the scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, and more, and will be available for $39.99 U.S. / $49.99 Canada (BD w/ DC) and $29.98 U.S. / $43.48 Canada (DVD). Prebook date is June 3.

Synopsis
Brace yourself for the hard-hitting action and high-flying excitement of Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li. including an all new unrated cut! Based on the wildly popular Street Fighter video game series, this powerful martial arts adventure explores the origins of the Street Fighter universe through Chun-Li (Kristen Kreuk), who avenges her father’s death at the hands of Bison (Neil McDonough) and his evil Shadaloo Empire. Now the stage is set, the challenge is clear, the legend will be forged...but who will prevail? Round One. Fight!

Blu-ray Disc With Digital Copy Specs The Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Unleashed & Unrated three-disc Blu-ray will be presented in widescreen format (2.35:1 aspect ratio) with English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio with English, French and Spanish subtitles.

Bonus features include:
Disc One

Theatricaland Unrated feature Audio Commentary by Patrick Aiello, Ashok Amritraj, Neal McDonough and Chris Klein Street Fighter: In Movie Enlightenment 14 Deleted Scenes Marvel vs. Capcom 2: Sneak Peek Becoming a Street Fighter Chun Li: Bringing the Legend to Life Fox Movie Channel Presents Making A Scene Recreating the Game: Arcade to Film Comparisons The Fight in Black and White: Storyboard Gallery Behind the Fight: Production Gallery

Disc Two

Unrated Digital Copy

Disc Three
Street Fighter Round One: FIGHT! Animated comic movie

DVD Specs Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Unleashed & Unrated two-disc DVD will be presented in widescreen format (2.35:1 aspect ratio) withEnglish 5.1 Dolby Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles. Bonus features include:

Disc One
Theatrical and Unrated feature Audio Commentary by Patrick Aiello, Ashok Amritraj, Neal McDonough and Chris Klein 14 Deleted Scenes Marvel vs. Capcom 2: Sneak Peek Becoming a Street Fighter Chun Li: Bringing the Legend to Life Fox Movie Channel Presents Making A Scene Recreating the Game: Arcade to Film Comparisons The Fight in Black and White: Storyboard Gallery Behind the Fight: Production Gallery

Disc Two

Street Fighter Round One: FIGHT! Animated comic movie

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 DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy 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.

Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li

Street Date: June 30, 2009

Pricing: $39.99 U.S. / $49.99 Canada (Blu-ray Disc with Digital Copy)

$29.98 U.S. / $43.48 Canada (DVD)

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Feature Run Time: 97 minutes

Closed Captioned

Buy it at Amazon.com: DVD/Blu-Ray

"STREET FIGHTER: THE LEGEND OF CHUN-LI" on DVD June 30th

"THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT" on DVD and Blu-Ray August 18th

FROM THE PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT YOU A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, FRIDAY THE 13TH, AND THE HILLS HAVE EYES

OWN IT ON BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF AND DVD AUGUST 18, 2009 FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT

IF SOMEONE HURT SOMEONE YOU LOVE, HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO TO GET REVENGE?

“HARSH, DARK AND ADMIRABLY UNFLINCHING.”
–Scott Weinberg, Fearnet.com

There’s a place where evil gets what it deserves. Legendary masters of horror Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham revisit the landmark film that launched Craven's directing career and influenced decades of horror films to follow: The Last House on the Left. Bringing one of the most notorious thrillers of all time to a new generation, they produce a shocking and thrilling re-imagination of the story that explores how far two ordinary people will go to exact revenge on the sociopaths who harmed their child. Includes two versions of the movie - the unrated cut too terrifying for theaters and the theatrical version. Starring Monica Potter (Saw), Tony Goldwyn (The Last Samurai), and Sara Paxton (Sydney White).
Blu-rayTM Hi-Def: LIMITED TIME ONLY!

Experience pure terror in perfect picture and purest digital sound available! Available for a limited time only, the 2-disc Blu-ray version plays on your Blu-ray player or Playstation® 3 and includes exclusive additional features!
· DIGITAL COPY OF THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT unrated: Transfer the included digital copy to your iPod, Mac or PC and experience The Last House on the Left anywhere, anytime!
· BD-LIVETM: Access the BD-LiveTM Center through your Internet-connected player to get even more content, watch the latest trailers, and more!
o MY SCENES SHARING: Pick your favorite scenes from the film to create your own video montage, then share with your buddies via BD-LiveTM.


BONUS FEATURES ( DVD and BLU- RAY ™ HI-DEF):

DELETED SCENES
A LOOK INSIDE - FEATURETTE

SYNOPSIS: Renowned horror director Wes Craven returns to the scene of one of the most notorious thrillers of all time in this darkly disturbing reimagining of The Last House on the Left. After kidnapping and ruthlessly assaulting two teen girls, a sadistic killer and his gang unknowingly find shelter from a storm at the home of one of the victim’s parents – two ordinary people who will go to increasingly gruesome extremes to get revenge. Loaded with shocking twists guaranteed to leave you on edge, it’s an ominous film critics call “pure terror” (Victoria Alexander, Filmsinreview.com). How far would you go to get revenge?

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – BLU-RAY™ HI-DEF:
Street Date: August 18, 2009
Copyright: 2009 Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 61110488
Price: $39.98 SRP
Running Time: 1 Hour, 50 Minutes (Theatrical), 1 Hour, 54 Minutes (Unrated Edition)
Layers: BD-50
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Rating: R for sadistic brutal violence including a rape and disturbing images, language, nudity and some drug use / unrated
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
Includes digital copy (unrated version)

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DVD:
Street Date: August 18, 2009
Copyright: 2009 Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 61110437
Price: $29.98 SRP
Running time: 1 Hour, 50 Minutes (Theatrical), 1 Hour, 54 Minutes (Unrated Edition)
Layers: Dual layer
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Rating: R for sadistic brutal violence including a rape and disturbing images, language, nudity and some drug use / unrated
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French Subtitles
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1


CAST AND FILMMAKERS:
Cast: Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, Sara Paxton, Garret Dillahunt, Martha MacIsaac, Riki Lindhome
Directed By: Dennis Iliadis
Written By: Adam Alleca, Carl Ellsworth
Produced By: Wes Craven, Sean Cunningham, Marianne Maddalena
Co-Producers: Jonathan Craven, Cody Zwieg
Director of Photography: Sharone Meir
Production Designer: Johnny Breedt
Editor: Peter McNulty
Music By: John Murphy
Costume Designer: Katherine Jane Bryant
Casting By: Nancy Nayor Battino, C.S.A., Scout Masterson, C.S.A.

"THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT" on DVD and Blu-Ray August 18th

"HOMECOMING" -- In Theaters July 17th

From Paper Street Films and Animus Films
A Morgan J.Freeman Film
Starring Mischa Barton, Jessica Stroup and Matt Long

A girl never forgets her first love...

Mike (Matt Long) is a small-town star athlete who is the first in his family to attend college, receiving a football scholarship to prestigious Northwestern University . When he returns home over Christmas break to the people he left behind - his family and friends - they are all surprised to see him with a new girlfriend, Elizabeth (Jessica Stroup), a pretty rich girl from Chicago . No one is more shocked than Mike's homecoming queen ex-girlfriend, Shelby (Mischa Barton), who immediately wants to be rid of Elizabeth and plots to take care of the problem. Our story takes many twists and turns as Shelby does everything it takes to get Mike back.

Official site

Trailer

"HOMECOMING" -- In Theaters July 17th

Dark Sky Films Presents "DEADGIRL" -- Opens July 24, 2009

A film by Marcel Sarmiento & Gadi Harel
Starring Shiloh Fernandez (Red, United States of Tara), Noah Segan (Brick), Michael Bowen (Kill Bill, Jackie Brown) and Candice Accola (Juno)

Daringly original, genre-busting and certain to cause debate, Deadgirl is an odyssey into the soul of our alienated youth. But by injecting universal teen moral moorings into something fantastical and terrifying, the film takes the conventions of the horror and coming-of-age movies and turns them on their heads.

When high school misfits Rickie (Shiloh Fernandez) and JT (Noah Segan) decide to cut school and find themselves lost in the crumbling facility of a nearby abandoned hospital, they come face-to-face with a gruesome discovery: a woman whose body has been stripped naked, chained to a table and covered in plastic. When both react to the situation in extremely different ways, the boys soon find themselves embarking on a twisted yet poignant journey that forces them to decide just how far they're willing to stretch their understanding of right and wrong.

A no-holds-barred look at the horror of growing up.

Dark Sky Films Presents "DEADGIRL" -- Opens July 24, 2009

August Releases From CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment

THE UNTOUCHABLES: SEASON THREE, VOLUME ONE
"The Untouchables" chronicles the campaign of Eliot Ness (Robert Stack), the young U.S. Prohibition Bureau agent, to smash the beer and booze empire of Al Capone in 1920s Chicago.

Actors: Robert Stack, Abel Fernandez, Nicholas Georgiade, Bruce Gordon, Steve London, Paul Picerni

Format: Box set, Black & White, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Portuguese, Spanish

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 1

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Buy it at Amazon.com

NCIS: THE SIXTH SEASON
NCIS Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, a former Marine gunnery sergeant, whose skills as an investigator are unmatched, formerly led this troupe of colorful personalities. Gibbs, a man of few words, only needs a look to explain it all. The team includes NCIS Special Agent Anthony DiNozzo, an ex-homicide detective who may come off as the world's oldest frat boy, but whose instincts in the field are unparalled; forensic specialist Abby Sciuto, a talented scientist whose dark wit matches her Goth style and eclectic tastes; NCIS Special Agent Timothy McGee, an MIT graduate whose brilliance with computers far overshadows his insecurities in the field; and Ziva David, a former Moussad agent who shares a bond with Gibbs over the death of his arch nemesis, Ari, the terrorist who killed former NCIS Special Agent Kate Todd. Assisting the team is medical examiner Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard, who knows it all because he's seen it all, and he's not afraid to let you know. Rounding out the team is NCIS director Jennifer Shepard, who has a romantic history with Gibbs. From murder and espionage to terrorism and stolen submarines, these special agents travel the globe to investigate all crimes with Navy or Marine Corps ties.

Actors: Mark Harmon, Cote de Pablo, Lauren Holly, David McCallum, Sean Murray, Pauley Perrette, Michael Weatherly

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 6

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Buy it at Amazon.com

THE LOVE BOAT: SEASON TWO, VOLUME TWO
Each week, passengers looking for romance board the beautiful Pacific Princess cruise ship as it sails to tropical and exotic lands. Captain Stubing, Julie, Gopher, Doc, and Isaac help them to get the most out of their trips and do their best to help them fall in love.

Actors: Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes, Fred Grandy

Format: Box set, Color, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Spanish

Number of discs: 4

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 4, 2009

Run Time: 664 minutes

Buy it at Amazon.com

DEXTER: THE THIRD SEASON DVD AND BLU-RAY
"Dexter" is back and more killer than ever. The Emmy-nominated Showtime Original Series (Best Drama Series, Lead Actor in a Drama Series) returns for an all-new season--and this time Dexter's got a new take on taking life. Having faced some of his darkest demons, Dexter's ready to put the past behind him. Now, with family life, a day job catching killers and an uncontrollable urge to do away with the ones that get away, Dexter's got his work cut out for him. And when a high-profile cases sides him with powerful Assistant DA Miguel Prado, the pressure might be too great for even our beloved Dexter to hack.

Actors: Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, Jennifer Carpenter, James Remar, Lauren Velez, David Zayas, Jimmy Smits

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 4

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Showtime / Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 18, 2009

Buy it at Amazon.com

TV SETS: BEYOND THE ORDINARY
Enjoy a sampling of the very first episodes from four of the greatest Sci-Fi dramas of all time! Go back to the beginning with the classic Sci-Fi phenomenon, "Star Trek", to contemporary fantasy favorites like "4400", "Joan of Arcadia", and "Medium."

Actors: Patricia Arquette, Joel Gretsch, Jacqueline McKenzie, Leonard Nimoy, William Shatner, Amber Tamblyn

Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Run Time: 226 minutes

Buy it at Amazon.com

TV SETS: CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
Enjoy a sampling of the very first episodes from four of the greatest crime shows of all time! Go back to the beginning with your favorite crime busters from classic shows like "Streets of San Francisco" and "Hawaii Five-O" to contemporary favorites like "CSI NY" and Dexter."

Actors: Michael Douglas, Gary Sinise, Jack Lord, Michael C. Hall, Karl Malden

Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Number of discs: 1

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 25, 2009

Run Time: 195 minutes

Buy it at Amazon.com

90210: THE FIRST SEASON
An edgy, contemporary spin-off of the iconic drama "Beverly Hills, 90210", the new "90210" looks at life through the eyes of Annie Wilson (Shenae Grimes) and her brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds), whose first day at West Beverly Hills High School leaves no doubt they're not in Kansas anymore.

Actors: Tristan Wilds, Shenae Grimes, AnnaLynne McCord, Michael Steger, Jessica Stroup Format: Anamorphic, Color, Digital Sound, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: English

Subtitles: English, Portuguese, Spanish

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 6

Rating: NR (Not Rated)

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 11, 2009

Run Time: 960 minutes

Buy it at Amazon.com

CALIFORNICATION: THE SECOND SEASON
Sophisticated and unique, this comedy centers on novelist Hank Moody who struggles to raise his teenage daughter with his on-again/off-again girlfriend in Southern California. His obsession with truth-telling and self destructive behavior--drinks, drugs, and relationships--are both destroying and enriching to his career.

Actors: David Duchovny, Evan Handler, Madeleine Martin, Natascha McElhone, Madeline Zima

Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 2

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Showtime / Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 11, 2009

Buy it at Amazon.com

EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS: THE FOURTH SEASON
Inspired by his childhood experiences, comedian Chris Rock narrates the hilarious, touching story of a teenager growing up as the eldest of three children in Brooklyn, New York during the 1980s. Uprooted to a new neighborhood and bused into a predominantly white middle school two hours away by his strict, hard-working parents, Chris struggles to find his place while keeping his siblings in line at home and surmounting the challenges of junior high. This responsible, resilient adolescent brings a distinct, funny spin to his everyday trials and traumas in this single-camera comedy.

Actors: Chris Rock, Tichina Arnold, Terry Crews, Imani Hakim, Vincent Martella, Tequan Richmond, Tyler Williams

Format: AC-3, Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC

Language: English

Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only.)

Number of discs: 1

Rating: Unrated

Studio: Paramount

DVD Release Date: August 18, 2009

Run Time: 20 minutes

Buy it at Amazon.com

August Releases From CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment

"KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS" -- October 6th from Warner Home Video

The Walking Dead! Frankenstein-1970! You’ll Find Out! Zombies on Broadway!

Burbank, Calif., June 15, 2009 - Horror fans will again be screaming this Halloween when Warner Home Video debuts the Karloff & Lugosi Horror Classics October 6 -- four frightfully fun horror classics all in one collection and on DVD for the first time. Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, iconic horror actors best known for creating the screen’s original Frankenstein and Dracula characters, star here in other roles in The Walking Dead, Frankenstein-1970, You’ll Find Out and Zombies on Broadway. The 2-disc set will be available for $26.98 SRP.

The Walking Dead (1936)

The Walking Dead is a unique blend of cinematic horror and the classic Warner Bros. gangster stylings. This long-admired cult favorite stars Boris Karloff, who gives an outstanding performance as John Ellman, an ex-con framed for murder who’s sentenced to the electric chair. When Ellman is brought back to life through the miracles of science, his only task is to seek revenge against those responsible for his death. Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) directs this eerie tale.

Special Feature: Commentary by historian Greg Mank

Frankenstein-1970 (1958)

Nearly twenty years after his final appearance as the Frankenstein monster in Son of Frankenstein, Boris Karloff returned to the screen in a new film derived from the Mary Shelley story that first catapulted him to stardom. In this 1958 horror classic, Karloff appears in the role of Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a descendent of the original doctor, whose depleted fortune forces him to grant a film crew access to the family castle to shoot a horror flick. It’s not all bad, though, since he now has a supply of fresh body parts ready for harvesting.

Special Feature: Commentary by historians Charlotte Austin and Tom Weaver

You’ll Find Out (1940)

Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre poke fun at their horror-genre personas in this wacky 1940 RKO mix of music, murder and mirth. The plot finds the trio of horror legends leaving a trail of terror and laughs along the way, as they plan a murder in order to nab a young heiress’ inheritance in a spooky, spoofy haunted house tale. The film was one of several hits of the era featuring the music and merriment of the then popular Kay Kyser and his band. The film’s original song, "I’d Know You Anywhere" was Oscar® nominated.

Zombies on Broadway (1945)

The emphasis is equally spread between horror and hi-jinx in this wacky RKO production that has endeared itself to generations of die-hard Lugosi fans. Here, Bela Lugosi stars as mad scientist Dr. Paul Renault who ends up with more than he bargained for when he encounterstwo inept Broadway press agents (Alan Carney and Wally Brown) looking for a real-life zombie to use for a publicity stunt in promoting a new nightclub.

"KARLOFF & LUGOSI HORROR CLASSICS" -- October 6th from Warner Home Video

GHOST MONTH -- DVD review by porfle

Don't forget to mark your calendars, kids, because GHOST MONTH is about to roll around and you're in big trouble if you don't follow the rules. Rule number 1 is: don't whistle. Rule number 2: if a ghost whispers your name, don't turn around, because if you do then that makes the ghost pull one of those Asian-horror-movie jump scares that may seriously freak you out. And rule number 3 is: uh, something about not stepping in the pile of ash left from the burnt offerings to the ghosts. Like just about everything else, it tends to anger them.

I, myself, would add a fourth rule, which is: if you go to work as a housekeeper for a mysterious Chinese woman and her creepy aunt and you find out that their house contains an open gateway to Hell that has malevolent ghosts pouring out if it, you might want to consider finding another job.

The idiot who not only can't take a ghostly hint but manages to break all the rules in nothing flat is Alyssa, played by likable actress Marina Resa. Alyssa gets more interesting as the movie goes along, but at first the most exciting things she does are smiling real nice and neatly tucking her hair behind her ears. I have to admire Alyssa's calm demeanor--in one scene she'll have an intensely frightening ghostly experience, and in the next scene she's whistling cheerfully through her housework again. The ghosts often scare her into passing out, and Mrs. Wu and her aunt find her lying on the floor. This becomes such a frequent occurrence that Miss Wu finding Alyssa passed out cold on the floor almost becomes a household routine.

The main reason Alyssa keeps on working at Ghost Central is that she's being stalked by a scary former boyfriend, Jacob (Jerod Edington), so working for Miss Wu (Shirley To) in her beautiful Southwest-style mansion in the middle of the Nevada desert is a perfect hiding place. Until he tracks her down, that is, giving Alyssa even more to worry about than jack-in-the-box ghosts flying at her at an alarming rate. Miss Wu's enigmatic neighbor Blake (Rick Irvin), who knows more than he's telling about the disappearance of her previous housekeeper, is another concern.

What makes GHOST MONTH different from the standard cheapo scare flick, besides being well-directed and having some superb cinematography and locations, is that writer-director Danny Draven is trying his best to give us some of the same jolts that we get from Asian horror cinema. And for much of the film, he does this quite well. The movie has some really scary ghosts in it, appearing suddenly along with the usual loud musical stings and making us jump. Even when we expect it, such as the times Alyssa opens a door and we just know something will be behind it when she closes it again, these ghosts can still give us a real fright. I like the fact that this is achieved mainly through clever directing rather than tricky editing.

The biggest drawback to the film, in my opinion, is a tiresomely persistent musical score. Occasional silence can be an effective tool in this sort of film, and having non-stop music telling us what to feel at every turn is distracting. As for DVD extras, I watched a screener that didn't have any but I can list them--behind-the-scenes footage, a cast commentary track with Marina Resa, Shirley To, and Rick Irvin, an "Origins of Ghost Month" featurette, an interview with director Draven, bloopers, still gallery, and closed captioning. The film is presented in 16 x 9 anamorphic widescreen with 2.0 stereo sound. The closing credits look particularly cool.

Having Miss Wu and her aunt constantly praying and making burnt offerings to ward off the ghosts gives Draven a chance to introduce some familiar Asian elements, such as people being wrapped up in yards of long, black ghost hair. Revenge is a motivating factor for these restless spirits, and some of the characters get what's coming to them in interesting ways (one of which is a treat for Poe fans). Unfortunately, the story starts to run out of steam, as well as logic, towards the end and there's perhaps one climax too many. But for the most part I found GHOST MONTH to be a worthy effort that held my attention and managed to generate a respectable amount of bloodcurdling shocks. And it's nice to see someone create an original Asian-style ghost story instead of just knocking off another remake of one.

Buy it at Amazon.com

GHOST MONTH -- DVD review by porfle

THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS -- DVD review by porfle

I had a problem with THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS right off the bat, namely that it was directed by Fred Durst. Why the heck should I want to waste my time watching some lame flick by the frontman for Limp Bizkit? Fortunately, though, this feeling began to fade as soon as it became clear that the guy knows what he's doing behind the camera. His direction is sharp, unobtrusive, and efficient. He gets style points for coming up with an impressive shot now and then, such as the long take in the party scene early on. And he doesn't make his camera guys dance around like they have to pee really bad. So, Durst is good--no problem there.

After a brief New York prologue in which nerdy Charlie Banks (Jesse Eisenberg) secretly rats to the cops on neighborhood tough guy Mick Leary (Jason Ritter) for almost killing a couple of guys at a party, we get transported to a nice ivy-covered university campus somewhere in Rhode Island. It's here that Charlie and his childhood buddy Danny (Chris Marquette) are going about their lives as studious dorm mates, when suddenly Mick shows up looking for a place to lay low for a few days.

Charlie, worried that this brawny, unstable mook might smell a rat, finds Mick's presence even more unpleasant when he starts moving in on the girl of his dreams, Mary (Eva Amurri), and she responds to Mick's bad-boy charms. Making things worse is the fact that Mick hates rich kids, and of course Charlie and Danny have just started hanging out with the poster boy for the idle rich, Leo (Sebastian Stan), who thinks it's fun to spend 200 grand on a small yacht so that they can all play pirates.

Thus, we wait on pins and needles for this volatile situation to erupt into shocking and needless violence, which, of course, it eventually does, just as Charlie and Mary very obviously foreshadow while discussing "The Great Gatsby." Until then, we observe Mick interacting with these normal college kids and try to understand what makes Mick tick. We know he's had a rough upbringing--"no father, sketchy mother" as the police describe it--and that he's got a serious anger management problem. When we first see him back in New York he's admired by the other guys and fawned over by the girls, but only for his ability to cripple anyone who crosses him.

The sad thing is, he can be a pretty charming guy when he isn't enraged. Not only does he seem to yearn to fit in with Charlie's wealthy, intelligent friends, but he apparently wants to be friends with normal, nerdy Charlie. During all of this, though, he's like a wolf palling around with a flock of sheep, and Charlie knows it as well as we do.

Jason Ritter wisely plays Mick without the standard tough-guy act, which makes the character a lot more interesting and unpredictable. The movie takes place in the 70s and 80s, and the first time we see him he looks more like he just stepped off the disco floor than out of an alleyway. Later he adopts the preppy look after Leo gives him some of his old clothes. Ritter is good at conveying Mick's hair-trigger demeanor and keeping us on edge every time a drunken Leo gets too annoying or a romantic encounter with Mary starts to get too physical. Jesse Eisenberg, who reminds me a little of a young Mike Kellin, is also very good as Charlie, and the rest of the cast does a great job with their characters as well.

The DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment is 1.78: 1 anamorphic widescreen with 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital sound. Subtitles are available in both English for the hearing-impaired and Spanish. There's an interview featurette, "Conversations Behind 'The Education of Charlie Banks'", and a commentary track featuring Durst and Ritter, which is interesting although they sometimes have a little trouble articulating what they want to say.

Much of the movie is about Mick's efforts to be a part of this group of people for whom he also feels a deep-seated resentment. It's sad that under different circumstances, he might very well have been a bright college student with a future instead of a blunt instrument with a bad attitude. Charlie's education, thanks to Mick, is a tortured process of dealing with complex emotions and relationships, and doing the right thing despite grave risks. THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS is a mature work that bodes well for everyone involved--especially Fred Durst, who doesn't just have to be that guy from Limp Bizkit anymore.

Buy it at Amazon.com

THE EDUCATION OF CHARLIE BANKS -- DVD review by porfle

Upcoming Blue Undergound BLU-RAY Titles Announced

Here's a full-on Exclusive
Alright, not only are BU releasing NY RIPPER in the future, they're releasing a whole host more onto Blu-Ray. In the latest issue of Fangoria (30th Anniversary Edition), the back cover contains a huge spread from BLUE UNDERGROUND saluting Fangoria on their 30th Anniversary. They discuss a variety of things, including their forthcoming Blu-Ray titles. The releases announced are the following:

The Crazies
Toolbox Murders
NY Ripper
Let Sleeping Corpses Die
Daughters of Darkness
Vampyres
Blood Splattered Bride
Maniac: 30th Anniversary SE

Seems like its going to be a FANTASTIC lineup!

Upcoming Blue Undergound BLU-RAY Titles Announced

Looking for a Good Horror Movie For Only 10 Bucks? Check Out Andy Copp's Quiet Nights of Pain and Blood!

If you've been looking for a horror film that takes a look at what the War in Iraq, or any war for that matter can do to the psyche of a man, than look no further! Award Winning Director Andrew Copp has recently released for sale his latest horror film Quiet Nights of Pain and Blood. What happens when a solider is trained to kill, but they never trained him to stop! Find out in Quiet Nights of Pain and Blood! It's only $10 at Diabolik DVD.

http://www.diabolikdvd.com/category/Horror-%5Bsl%5D-Thriller/Quiet-Nights-of-Pain-and-Blood-DVD-(NTSC-Region-1).html

Looking for a Good Horror Movie For Only 10 Bucks? Check Out Andy Copp's Quiet Nights of Pain and Blood!

"MERLIN AND THE BOOK OF BEASTS" Materializing on DVD August 25th from Anchor Bay Entertainment

James Callis and Laura Harris star in a new and exciting interpretation of a classic fantasy

The age of knights was one of chivalry and honor, of magic and mystery, of passion and betrayal. And now that age has passed -- perhaps forever. What remains is a shadowy world of fear and terror.

Anchor Bay Entertainment, the undisputed leader in cult and classic horror home entertainment, will release the much-anticipated SciFi Channel premiere Merlin and the Book of Beasts, starring James Callis and Laura Harris, on DVD on Aug. 25, 2009. Pre-book is July 23, 2009, with an SRP of $19.97.

Welcome to the dark side of Camelot. King Arthur is gone. The Round Table is in ruins, and a rogue sorcerer has unleashed a reign of monstrous terror upon the land. For the court’s last remaining knights, their only hope lay in the powers of the now-bitter and broken wizard Merlin (James Callis, “Battlestar Galactica,” Bridget Jones’ Diary). But can a once-great man of magic defeat a legion of creatures that includes Dragon Soldiers, Death Hawks and Gorgons, and reclaim the land? Merlin and the Book of Beasts is directed by Warren P. Sonoda (Sleeptalkers, 5ive Girls, Coopers’ Camera).

Laura Harris (“Dead Like Me,” “24”) co-stars in this head-spinning epic adventure that puts a savage new spin on the saga of Excalibur, Mordred, and the ultimate battle between Merlin and the Book of Beasts.

Street Date: August 25, 2009
Pre-Book: July 23, 2009
Catalog #: P2353
UPC #: 0 1313 82353-8 1
Run Time: 92 Minutes
Rating: Not Rated
SRP: $19.97

Buy it at Amazon.com

"MERLIN AND THE BOOK OF BEASTS" Materializing on DVD August 25th from Anchor Bay Entertainment