Macabre Movie Poster Madness: The Ghana Edition

Movie posters from Japan are insane. Movie posters from Poland are more insane. You know what's even more insane? Movie posters from Ghana. According to my 18 seconds of research the artists for these posters were given free reign to paint absolutely anything they wanted to make the posters more enticing to customers. So they'd often just make up something that didn't happen in the movie and paint it into the poster anyway. You know, like liars.

I came across a ton of these Ghanaian posters the other day, so I thought I'd share some of the more horrific of them here today. Normally I'd rip on these posters and how they look like they were drawn by a mental 11 year old who was given a paintbrush and an incredibly vague plot outline of the movies, but there's really nothing I can say that will be anywhere near as hysterical as the amazing posters themselves.

For starters, here's a batch of Elm Street, Friday the 13th and Freddy vs. Jason. Stunningly, these are actually some of the better posters of the bunch. They're goofy as hell, but the depictions of Freddy and Jason are at least fairly accurate. Wait until you see The Evil Dead and Cujo posters I'll be posting later. Yikes.
 

 Jason vs. Freddy

 Freddy vs...Himself?

 Jason vs...uhh?

Runaway Nightmare From Vinegar Syndrome in 2014

Coming in 2014, one of the strangest movies ever made (a tough claim but an accurate one): Mike Cartel's RUNAWAY NIGHTMARE, which we're restoring from the negative! As CriticOnOnline summed it up "There are bar fights, gun fights, girl fights, a warehouse explosion, strip chess, pinball playing and vampirism!"

Extras are set to include the first EVER commentary track from director Mike Cartel as well as the odd SOV topless scenes which were included in the (unauthorized) VHS release it got in the late 80s!

I've never seen this one before, but if this clip is any indication Runaway Nightmare is an awful piece of awfulness. Looks amazing, I personally can't wait to see this one.

Argento's Dracula 3-D Own It January 28th...If You Dare

The best Dracula film ever made by Dario Argento, Dracula 3-D is being unleashed on an unsuspecting viewing public by IFC & MPI January 28th. The Blu-ray will contain the film in both 3D and, uh, regular D along with a behind the scenes featurette and a pair of trailers.

I've seen and reviewed this one before, so I know it's not a movie I want to purchase, but, like the theatrical poster they released a few months back this new cover art is tricking me into thinking this movie is awesome. I might end up owning it, but certainly not until it hits somewhere in the $5 range. If you haven't seen it yet, if there were ever a perfect "rent before you buy" movie, this is it. Rent it first.

From Blu-ray.com:

IFC Films and MPI Home Video have officially announced that they will release on Blu-ray Italian director Dario Argento's Dracula 3D (2012), starring Thomas Kretschmann, Marta Gastini, Asia Argento, Rutger Hauer, Miriam Giovanelli, and Unax Ugalde. The release will be available for purchase on January 28th.

Horror maestro Dario Argento (Suspiria) puts his unique stylistic spin on the classic supernatural tale with Dracula, a visually sumptuous retelling of the legendary myth. It's been 400 years since Count Dracula's (Kretschmann, Wanted) beloved Dolingen De Gratz passed away, leaving the immortal bloodsucker forever abandoned. But when he discovers that local newlywed Mina Harker (Gastini, The Rite) bears a striking resemblance to Dolingen, his furious yearning is reawakened as he believes Mina to be a reincarnation of his beloved. Luring her husband Jonathan away to his castle with the help of his minion (and Mina's best friend) Lucy (Argento, xXx), Dracula embarks on a bloody quest to reunite with his long lost love and live forever with her in hellish immortality. Only the arrival of vampire expert Abraham Van Helsing (Hauer, Blade Runner) can put an end to the fiend's unholy plan. Luridly violent and brimming with passionate eroticism, Dario Argento's Dracula is an all-out assault on the senses from one of horror cinema's most celebrated auteurs. 

Pitch A Tent At Camp Dread

Earlier today Bloody Disgusting posted an exclusive first look at the DVD cover for the upcoming film Camp Dread with Eric Roberts, Danielle Harris and Felissa Rose. The cover art isn't particularly groundbreaking, but the premise actually sounds really cool:

“The “Summer Camp” horror trilogy was one of the most popular franchises of the 1980s. However, the decade ended and so did director Julian Barrett’s career. Now Barrett plans to resurrect his gory series via a modern reboot patterned after reality filmmaking. With his former leading lady and an eclectic group of 10 young “contestants,” Barrett returns to the same locale where his old splatter-fests were filmed. When one of the campers is found savagely murdered, they realize there’s more at stake than just fame and fortune. Each of them is in a fight for their lives as they realize summer is over – forever.”

I'm a sucker for any kind of film within a film scene. A movie scene filmed by characters in a movie like The Mutants of 2051 AD from Strange Brew, or an entire movie that takes place behind the scenes of a movie like Day for Night or Living In Oblivion, I eat stuff like that right up so Camp Dread sounds like something I'll really enjoy.

We'll be able to check this one out April 15th. For now, here's an exclusive shot from Dread Central of Danielle Harris as the cutest cop since Edwina 'Ed' McDunnough:

New This Week - 12.17.13

The Beast Within - arguably the best film ever made in which a mutant cicada-man rapes and impregnates a woman in the woods. The plot outline for this one is admittedly a bit on the daft side, but Director Philippe Mora is able pack the film full of some fantastic frights despite the absurdity of the premise. I didn't receive a screener copy for this one, but judging by the images I've seen in some reviews the transfer on this one looks outstanding, so that coupled with a couple of newly produced commentary tracks make this one well worth picking up.

A teenager is experiencing growing pains of a most shocking kind in this exciting, tense and all-too-real story of a human-into monster transformation.

18-year-old Michael MacCleary – the progeny of an unholy union between his mother and a swamp beast – is on the verge of becoming a man. And as the inherited evil in his blood gnaws at his soul, Michael must return to the swamp to uncover the terrifying identity of his father – before his nasty natural tendencies force him to feed on the locals! Starring Ronny Cox (Robocop), Bibi Besch (Tremors), Paul Clemens (Communion) L.Q. Jones (The Wild Bunch) and R.G. Armstrong (Race With The Devil).

Bonus features:

Audio Commentary by director Philippe Mora and actor Paul Clemens Audio Commentary by writer Tom Holland Theatrical Trailer

Amazon
Scream Factory

Landlord Karl Gunther (Klaus Kinski – Nosferatu The Vampyre) seems like a conscientious landlord who looks out for this female tenants. What they don’t know is that he has an elaborate network of crawlspaces that he uses to watch their every move. Can a new prospective renter stop this apartment building’s rapid turnover rate…or will Gunther continue to make a killing?

Also starring Talia Balsam (The Kindred) and Tané (Death Spa), directed by David Schmoeller (Tourist Trap, Catacombs, Puppetmaster) and featuring a haunting score by Pino Donaggio (Dressed To Kill, Blow Out, Piranha), this disturbing and truly creepy film is driven by a compelling performance from  Kinski.

Bonus features:

Audio Commentary by director David Schmoeller “Please Kill Mr. Kinski” – a short film by David Schmoeller Interview with Make-up effects artist John Vulich Theatrical Trailer

Amazon
Scream Factory

From a guy who wrote an episode of Workaholics comes Ghost Team One!


Official synopsis: Directed by Scott Rutherford (writer on "Workaholics") and Ben Peyser ("Sucks Less with Kevin Smith") and featuring an outstanding ensemble cast of fresh talent including actor and comedian Carlos Santos (host of MTV Tr3s' "Mi TRL"), J.R. Villarreal ("Akeelah and the Bee"), Tony Cavalero ("Son of a Pitch") and Fernanda Romero ("RPM Miami"), Ghost Team One follows two friends who are both trying to impress a girl who believes the spirit of a vengeful madam is haunting their home. They set out to make a documentary about a murder that took place in their house decades ago and, much to their surprise, soon capture some terrifying—and uproarious—supernatural activity that leads them to believe that the ghost is not only real…she's also into them.
Own it.

Special Features:

• Deleted/Extended Scenes
• Chuck's Video Diary
• Bloopers
• Behind-the-Scenes

Kick-Ass was one of my favorites of 2010. I missed this sequel during it's theatrical run, but Kick-Ass 2 looks like they might've gone a bit overboard on the ridiculousness, but hopefully the actual film isn't quite as absurd as the trailers have led me to believe. Get it at Amazon


Synopsis: Self-made superhero Kick-Ass (Taylor-Johnson) and sweet-faced, foul-mouthed assassin, Hit Girl (Moretz) try to return to life as "normal" teenagers, but are soon faced with their deadliest challenge yet. To seek revenge for his father's death, Red Mist (Mintz-Plasse) has re-invented himself as the leader of an evil league of super-villains. To defeat their new nemesis, Kick-Ass and Hit Girl must team up with a new wave of masked crusaders, led by Colonel Stars and Stripes (Carrey), in this battle of real-life villains and heroes.

Kiss-Ass 2 is presented in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround, and includes the following special features:

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Content

• An Ass-Kicking Cast: In this featurette, we'll go behind the scenes with returning stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, as well as new cast members Jim Carrey and Olga Kurkulina to talk about the camaraderie during shooting as Jeff Wadlow guided his actors through outrageous action set-pieces.
• Street Rules - Showdown At The Evil Lair: In a scene that took over two grueling weeks to shoot, Kick-Ass, Hit Girl, and their legion of home-grown heroes square off against the Toxic Mega C***s in a no-holds-barred war that is as action-packed as it is hilarious. This featurette will explore the intricate fight choreography required for this searing death match from multiple viewpoints such as storyboards, stunt pre-viz and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Alternate Opening with commentary by writer and director Jeff Wadlow
• Big Daddy Returns: The Unshot Scene with commentary by writer and director Jeff Wadlow
• Hit Girl Attacks: Creating the Van Sequence

Standard Bonus Content

• Going Ballistic - Weapons & Stunts: Discover how the actors and stunt performers crafted the on-screen carnage as Armorer Damian Mitchell showcases the film's vast arsenal of weapons, from firearms to the Colonel's custom-made axe handle and the pink nunchucks wielded by Hit-Girl. Special-effects supervisor Sam Conway explains how the maelstrom of mayhem was created under the watchful eye of director Jeff Wadlow, second unit director Dave Reid and stunt supervisor James O'Donnell.
• Creating a Badass World: Production designer Russell De Rozario, costume designer Sammy Sheldon and hair and makeup designer Fae Hammond collaborated very closely with Jeff Wadlow to creating the heightened reality of Kick-Ass 2. Journey through the jaw-dropping sets created for the Justice Forever Headquarters and the incredibly elaborate man cave known as The Evil Lair. Also learn how the multitude of unique and badass costumes were created and inspired the cast.
• Upping the Game: In this revealing featurette, we will delve into the creative story process leading up to production and discover the origins of this latest incarnation of Kick-Ass.
• Feature Commentary with Taylor-Johnson, Moretz, Mintz-Plasse and Wadlow
• Extended Scenes with commentary by Jeff Wadlow

Kino continues to crank out the Bava with his 1963 film The Whip & The Body (La frusta e il corpo). Grab a copy today.

Steeped in sadomasochism and lushly photographed in the vivid hues for which the director is known, Mario Bava's The Whip and the Body is a Gothic thriller that far surpasses the AIP Edgar Allan Poe films that it was intended to emulate. Christopher Lee (Dracula: Prince of Darkness) stars as Kurt Menliff, the sadistic son of a wealthy Count, who returns to the family castle, much to the dismay of his family, their servants, and the beautiful woman with whom he shares a fondness for the lash (Daliah Lavi). When Kurt is found murdered, it brings no peace to those who had feared him, as his vengeful spirit cannot be contained by the grave, and he returns to torment those unfortunate enough to remain within Menliff Manor.

Special Features:

• Mastered in HD from an original 35mm print
• Italian with optional English subtitles
• English dubbed
• French with optional English subtitles
• Audio commentary by Tim Lucas, author of Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark
• Theatrical trailer
• Original trailers of other Bava films

Mischief Night, from Richard Shenckman, one of the writers of John Gulager's surprisingly not terrible SyFy film Zombie Night. Pick up a copy today on Amazon.

Emily Walton, who has suffered from psychosomatic blindness ever since the car accident that took her mother's life, must summon every instinct at her disposal to protect herself and her loved ones from a mysterious intruder the night before Halloween. 

 

From Elijah Wood's SpectreVision comes Toad Road, available on DVD from Artsploitation. Also available VOD style if you prefer. Amazon.

A different kind of American independent horror film, Toad Road from Executive Producer Elijah Wood (star of ''Lord of the Rings'') and his genre-themed production company SpectreVision is a hallucinatory and hypnotic odyssey through mutating realities, drug use, urban legends, and nightmares. Imagine a fusion between the sexually candid naturalism of Larry Clark or Harmony Korine, and the backwoods creep-out of The Blair Witch Project, and you'd be halfway there. Stuck in a dead end town, young James kills time with his druggie friends, engaging in debauched chemical intake to the point of unconsciousness, until he meets Sara, a sweet new arrival to their group. However, Sara wants James to take her further into the world of narcotics experimentation (just as James was contemplating abandoning this lifestyle)...and she also wants him to introduce her to the sinister local legend of Toad Road, a spot deep in the forest that is apparently home to the Seven Gates of Hell. Writer-director Jason Banker's fiction feature debut is an enigmatic and unique fusion of improvisational realism undoubtedly influenced by Banker's work as a documentary filmmaker, and otherworldly, haunting rural terror. Unlike any other film you'll see this year, Toad Road is mesmerizing.

Machine Head From Anchor Bay March 25th

From the Press Release
Spring Break. The two words together connote those heady days when academia stops for a week and unbridled hedonism reigns. Spring Break means fun, sun, and sex. But in Los Ranchos, CA, it also means… abject terror! From Anchor Bay Entertainment comes the March 25th DVD release of Machine Head.

With a hot young cast including Sharon Hinnendael (Embrace of the Vampire, Rites of Passage), Nicole Zeoli (The Telling, Zoey to the Max), Cristina Corigliano (Last Day on Earth, Sand Sharks), Morissa O’Mara (Hanna’s Gold, Devolved), and Alana O’Mara (The Cottage, Hanna’s Gold), Machine Head promises a permanent rest from studies!

The deserts of Los Ranchos, CA, aren’t your standard spring break destination, but it’s p-a-r-t-y time when a young girl's wealthy father gives her the keys to his amazing desert ranch house. She and her hot girlfriends plan a wild spring break vacation getaway to take full advantage of this lavish vacation oasis. But like all good intentions, the road it paves becomes a living hell…

During the drive to the house, the girls find themselves terrorized by a mysterious black muscle car on the highway. They soon realize they have been lured into a sick game of high-octane terror. Machine Head unleashes a motorized fury unlike anything they’ve ever seen. The girls will do whatever it takes to cross the finish line alive!

Machine Head was chosen as the title when the original title was rejected; The Second Half of Death Proof: The Movie.  Stupid joke aside, that last sentence does make this sound an awful lot like the non-boring half of Death Proof.

Big Ass Spider - Own It January 7th

Mike Mendez's gargantuan alien arachnid epic Big Ass Spider will be hitting Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on January 7th. To me it looks a bit like a SyFy original with a big (well, bigger) budget. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, but I'll certainly give a movie called Big Ass Spider a look to find out. Though it is a shame about the PG-13 rating, that'll surely keep the boobs and gore to a minimum.

Surviving extermination by nuclear eradication, a horrible alien mutation in arachnid form is now growing at an exponential rate and making its way toward downtown Los Angeles. Hot on its spindly heels is a crack military unit with absolute authority, led by an obsessively driven commander and his beautiful but lethal sidekick. Unfortunately for them, this mutant spider has an array of deadly defenses including the ability to virtually disappear through camouflage. But the creature’s real adversary quickly turns out to be a hot-shot local exterminator armed only with cocky attitude, some fast one-liners and his homemade gadgets. Joining forces with the military team, this blue-collar hero sets out to exterminate what has now become a monstrous 10-story tall MEGA SPIDER.

Christina Ricci is Lizzie Borden

Weird, a Lifetime movie I might actually watch.

 “It’s not just a disturbing nursery rhyme! Now the true story of how Lizzie Borden murdered her parents (or did she?) in the summer of 1892 is being brought to Lifetime, with Christina Ricci as the eponymous Lizzie. The true-crime case captured national attention when it first happened, proving that Americans obsession with scandalous and sordid tales is nothing new.”

Lizzie Borden Took An Axe (2013) Trailer - Watch the best video clips here

M Is For Masticate - Official Winner of the ABCs of Death 2 26th Director Contest

The contest to choose the 26th director of ABC's of Death 2 has finally come to to close. After narrowing it down from 500 entries, they've chosen director Robert Boocheck's M is for Masticate as the winner of the grand prize of $5,000 and the official M slot in ABC's of Death 2. The film doesn't come out until some time next year, but you can get an early peek at M is for Masticate below.

When A Stranger Calls - Columbia Pictures Merchandising and Advertising Manual

It's been quite a while since I've shared any classic posters or pressbooks here, so When A Stranger Calls, anyone?

Click on each image to view larger 

 

Mattei's Hell of the Living Dead & Rats: Night of Terror Go Hi-Def

Two jaw-dropping Italian shockers coming in 2014 as a Double Feature Blu-ray from Blue Underground. No official release date is set, but I'd guess they will be out sometime next spring.

HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD:
An accident at a chemical plant unleashes a horrific virus, and an elite SWAT team is sent to New Guinea to investigate. But when they arrive on the hellish island, they discover a plague of flesh-eating zombies as well as a beautiful female reporter who practices nude anthropology. Can the commandos survive this cannibal rampage, uncover a shocking government secret, and still find time for the occasional cross-dressing before the ravenous hordes of the living dead infect the entire world?

Directed by the notorious Bruno Mattei (THE OTHER HELL), this '80s Italian gut-muncher is infamous for its eye-popping gore, jaw-dropping dialogue and heart-stopping use of inappropriate stock footage. Also known as VIRUS, NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIES and even ZOMBIE CREEPING FLESH, HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD has been newly transferred in shocking High Definition from the original uncut and uncensored negative!


RATS: NIGHT OF TERROR:
In the year 225 A.B. (After the Bomb), a group of post-apocalyptic bikers discover an abandoned research laboratory filled with food, water... and thousands of rats. But these are no ordinary vermin; these are super-intelligent mutant rodents with a ravenous appetite for human flesh. Can a bunch of heavily armed but not-too-bright human scavengers survive a night of terror against the most hungry and horrific predators on earth?

Directed by the notorious Bruno Mattei (WOMEN'S PRISON MASSACRE), this hilarious Italian shocker is filled with over-the-top gore, bottom-of-the-barrel dialogue and attacks by what appear to be thousands of painted guinea pigs, all capped with a twist ending that must be seen to be believed. Also known as RATS OF MANHATTAN and BLOOD KILL, RATS: NIGHT OF TERROR has been newly transferred in flesh-ripping High Definition from the original uncut and uncensored negative!

HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD Extras:

• Hell Rats Of The Living Dead - Interview with Director Bruno Mattei
• Theatrical Trailer
• Poster & Still Gallery
• Bruno Mattei Bio

RATS: NIGHT OF TERROR Extras:

• Hell Rats Of The Living Dead - Interview with Director Bruno Mattei
• Theatrical Trailer
• Bruno Mattei Bio

Get Antisocial On DVD January 28th

Philadelphia PA - Breaking Glass Pictures, Monster Pictures and Vicious Circle Films are excited to announce the January 28th DVD release of Antisocial. The feature length debut of director Cody Calahan, which has been scaring up impressive reviews on the international festival circuit, Antisocial sees a New Year celebration between a small group of friends turn into a vicious fight for survival when a mysterious viral outbreak forces them to stay indoors.
Five university friends gather at a house party to ring in the New Year. Unbeknownst to them, an epidemic has erupted outside, causing outbreaks around the world. With nowhere else to turn, they barricade themselves indoors with only their phones, laptops, and other tech devices. They use their devices to research the possible cause of this outbreak.
Information and video footage over flow their computers as they descend further into the cause and the ensuing chaos. As the virus spreads, the mood in the house changes from fear to paranoia. Who is safe? Who can they trust? Reality becomes blurred as they slowly discover the source of the virus causing the sickness...and there is no going back.
Hailed by Slant Magazine as a "biting commentary on the often addictive nature of online interaction," Antisocial is also available now on Amazon Instant Video, iTunes and all major broadcast platforms. The DVD release (SRP $24.99) will include a feature length commentary and behind the scenes footage.


Just a heads up, this is currently available to rent at Amazon Instant Video if you don't want to wait until January 28th to see it. Or, for those of you who use HitBliss (which is a service that basically pays you with online movie rentals for watching commercials) it's available there as well, technically for free, if you've got a bit of free time to watch a bunch of Dr. Pepper and Aflac ads.

Scream Factory Acquires Evilspeak & Final Exam From Code Red

A couple of very interesting announcements today from Scream Factory, it looks like they've managed to acquire a couple of previously released (on DVD only) Code Red titles and have plans to release them on Blu-ray next year. So, this summer be on the lookout for Scream's releases of Evilspeak and Final Exam!

Hopefully this deal goes well and Scream is able to get more stuff from Code Red, I'd love a Blu-ray release of Retribution.

 
From Facebook:

Fans of early 80s school-themed horror films are in luck with this news. 1981's college campus slasher film FINAL EXAM and 1982's satanic revenge epic EVILSPEAK (starring Clint Howard) will both be making their debuts on Blu-ray both for the first time this Summer!

These titles have been with Code Red - another long-time cult film home entertainment company - for some time and we are pleased that we were able to make a deal with them for these two guilty pleasures.

Expect the same extras that were on the prior Code Red DVD releases to be imported over. More details on street date and if any more extras are planned will be revealed in the new year.

Sex Hunter:1980 & Nurse Girl Dorm: Sticky Fingers - More Nikkatsu From Impulse

IMPULSE PICTURES PRESENTS

---

TWO NIKKATSU CLASSICS!

SEX HUNTER: 1980
AND
NURSE GIRL DORM:
STICKY FINGERS

THIS VALENTINE'S DAY, WARM YOURSELF UP WITH NIKKATSU!

------------------------------------------------

Impulse Pictures continues its assault on your sensations with two new Nikkatsu releases!

Miki, a young and talented ballet dancer, is accepted into an exclusive, and very private, academy run by a mysterious woman.  Miki wants to further her dance education and rekindle her relationship with her boyfriend, but soon discovers all the horrible perversions forced upon the academy students. She is subjected to constant violent sexual acts and torture and realizes there may be no escape!  With similar tones to Italian horror maestro Dario Argento’s masterwork SUSPIRIA, SEX HUNTER: 1980 is one of the more controversial entries in the Nikkatsu Erotic Films Collection.  The depictions of disturbing sexual violence so concerned Nikkatsu studios, they actually warned director Toshiharu Ikeda to tone things down for his next film!

In  NURSE GIRL DORM: STICKY FINGERS, there’s a new group of horny young ladies working at St. Elizabeth Hospital and they’re all looking for love.  These nurses are watched over by a fairly strict dorm supervisor, but with the help of the mysterious Yuki, they are able to sneak in their boyfriends for nightly sex.  Yuki is a terrible influence on the girls, but she sure knows how to have fun!  When a bandaged man walks into the hospital looking for Yuki, her past is revealed.  His name is Tadao and he was secretly married to Yuki.  He wants to rekindle their failed relationship, but she has other ideas.  On one strange night, the boyfriends, Tadao and many others all converge at the hospital for a night of hot sex, mistaken identity, crazy disguises, S&M and… vaginal cramps!  NURSE GIRL DORM: STICKY FINGERS mixes nudity with madcap comedy and jaw-dropping scenes of steamy sex that only Nikkatsu studios could unleash.

SEX HUNTER: 1980

Disc Info:

Director: Toshiharu Ikeda
Starring: Erina Miyai, Ayako Oota, Teruo Matsuyama
Run Time: 68 minutes
Release Date: Feb. 11., 2014
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Newly Translated English Subtitles
Extras: Original Trailer, Liner Notes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Format: DVD
Region: Region 1
Price: $19.95
UPC Code: 654930104798

NURSE GIRL DORM: STICKY FINGERS

Disc Info:

Director: Yoshihiro Kawasaki
Starring: Jun Izumi, Chiaki Kitahara, Yukari Takeshita
Run Time: 63 minutes
Release Date: Feb. 11., 2014
Language: Japanese
Subtitles: Newly Translated English Subtitles
Extras: Original Trailer, Liner Notes
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen Anamorphic 1.85:1
Format: DVD
Region: Region 1
Price: $19.95
UPC Code:654930104897

Synapse Films

He Sold His Soul For Rock 'n' Roll - Scream Announces Phantom of the Paradise

Scream Factory has just announced that Brian De Palma's Phantom of the Paradise (starring Jessica Harper and Gerrit "Bud The Chud" Graham!) will be released as a Collector's Edition Blu-ray in 2014. No cover art or extra features have been announced yet, but I'll keep you posted.

From Facebook:
BREAKING: NEW TITLE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2014!

We're thrilled to report today that we are planning to release Brian DePalma's classic 1974 film PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE sometime in the later half of the Summer!

This marks the first time the film will be on blu-ray for the first time in the U.S. and Canada. Expect this to be in the "Collector's Edition" series with new extras but we have no other details to report at this time as our deal for this was literally just signed so stay tuned here in the Spring of next year for more info to emerge.

Japanese B2

20th Century Fox Lobby Cards

Click to make huge

First Godzilla Trailer Is Epic & Intense

A few "bootleg" copies appeared online earlier this year, but the first Godzilla teaser trailer was officially released by Warner Bros. today, and holy crap, this thing looks incredible. This is easily my most anticipated movie of 2014, May 16th can't come soon enough.

New This Week 12.10.13

4 Cult Movie Marathon, Volume 1, featuring the following films spread over two discs:
INVASION OF THE BEE GIRLS – 1973/Color/R/85 minutes/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)/Dolby Digital Mono

A special state investigator is sent to a small California town to investigate the mysterious death of a physicist. More deaths occur and it soon appears that the victims -- all male -- are dying from excessive sexual activity, resulting in a massive coronary. William Smith (Angels Die Hard), Anitra Ford (The Big Bird Cage) and Victoria Vetri (When Dinosaurs Ruled The Earth) star.


THE DEVIL’S 8 – 1969/Color/R/97 minutes/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)/Dolby Digital Mono

A federal agent helps six convicts escape from a chain gang in order to use them in his war on a moonshine ring. Christopher George (Grizzly), Fabian (Thunder Alley), Larry Bishop (Kill Bill Vol. 2) and Ralph Meeker (Kiss Me Deadly) star in this two-fisted actioner.


UNHOLY ROLLERS – 1972/Color/R/88 minutes/Full Frame/Dolby Digital Mono

A beautiful young woman joins a roller derby team, but her fierce independence and competitive spirit get her into trouble. Starring Claudia Jennings (Gator Bait), Alan Vint (Macon County Line), Roberta Collins (Death Race 2000) and Candice Roman (The Big Bird Cage), Unholy Rollers rules!


VICIOUS LIPS – 1986/Color/R/80 minutes/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)/Dolby Digital Mono

When a talented all-girl band from outer space attempts to enter a huge talent contest, their road to success is blocked by everything from psycho killers to comets! From director Albert Pyun (Cyborg), Vicious Lips stars Linda Kerridge (Fade To Black) and Gina Calabrese (Ragewar).

Amazon
Shout!

4 Cult Movie Marathon, Volume 2 - A second volume of cult films spread over two discs:


ANGELS FROM HELL – 1968/Color/R/86 minutes/Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)/Dolby Digital Mono

Cycle-psychos vs. the cops! A Vietnam war hero returns home and decides to build the ultimate outlaw biker gang. A war between the gang and the police is about to erupt!


CHATTERBOX – 1976/Color/R/76 minutes/Full Frame/Dolby Digital Mono

From the director of Hell Night and The Concrete Jungle comes a tale of a starlet whose life and career are severely altered when her reproductive organs begin to sing and talk. Starring Candice Rialson (Candy Stripe Nurses) and Rip Taylor!


THE NAKED CAGE – 1986/Color/R/97 minutes/Full Frame/Dolby Digital Mono

Michelle and Rita are arrested for theft and placed in the same cell. Their conflicts and personality clashes lead to screaming battles and cat fights before a prison riot brings deadly violence and a newfound respect for each other. Shari Shattuck (Arena) and Angel Tompkins (The Teacher) star.

SAVAGE ISLAND – 1985/Color/R/90 minutes/Full Frame/Dolby Digital Mono

A group of scantily-clad female prisoners sentenced to work under brutal conditions in a South American mine revolt against their captors with the aid of a band of jewel thieves. Linda Blair (Chained Heat), Leon Askin (Hogan’s Heroes) and Ajita Wilson (Hell Penitentiary) star.

Amazon
Shout!

And from Scream Factory comes what I hope is the first of many TV Terrors double features. This first volume contains:

- Initiation of Sarah, The (1978)
- Are You in the House Alone? (1978)

When Sarah, A young college freshman, joins a sorority to fit in with the popular kids, she encounters one problem: this sorority is run by a witch who knows that Sarah has supernatural powers. The witch encourages her to use her latent psychic powers to get revenge on her rivals…thus begins THE INITIATION OF SARAH. The all-star cast includes Kay Lenz (Moving Violation), Morgan Brittany (Dallas), Morgan Fairchild (The Seduction), Shelley Winters (The Poseidon Adventure), Kathryn Crosby (The 7^th Voyage Of Sinbad), Tony Bill (Shampoo) and Tisa Farrow (Zombie).

A beautiful high school student becomes the target of a campaign of terror and eventually becomes the victim of an attack and mental torture in ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE ALONE?. Kathleen Beller (Dynasty), Dennis Quaid (Dreamscape), Blythe Danner (Future World), Tony Bill (Shampoo) and (Phantom Of The Paradise) star in this iconic and terrifying thriller.


Scream Factory
Amazon




Acclaimed producer Albert Zugsmith (TOUCH OF EVIL, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN) crafted some of the strangest and most unlikely exploitation films of the 60s. Vinegar Syndrome presents the blu-ray debut of two of his rarest works:

Cult filmmaker Russ Meyer takes on directorial duties in Zugsmith’s adaptation of the notorious erotic classic Fanny Hill. Set in pre-Victorian London, young Fanny finds herself taken in by a madame at one of the city’s most elite brothels. A strange mix of Zugsmith’s surreal slapstick and Meyer’s trademark buxom beauties and thoughtful satire, FANNY HILL is an over-the-top saga of low-rent thrills in high-brow settings.

Zugsmith’s mind-numbing blend of surrealism and slapstick comedy done as a self-aware parody of westerns stars Troy Donohue as Phil P. Phillips, fresh out of divinity school and living in the frontier town of Yucca Flats. When a gang of seven criminals take the town hostage, it’s up to Phil to save the village, or die trying, again and again…

Both films have been restored from their original negatives and are being offered on DVD and Blu-ray fully uncut for the first time!
FANNY HILL: Directed by Russ Meyer
1964 | B&W | 105min | AR 1.85:1
THE PHANTOM GUNSLINGER: Directed by Albert Zugsmith
1967 | Color | 100min | AR 1.85:1
Bonus Features:
+ 3 Disc Combo (1 Blu-ray (BD-50) & 2 DVDs) | Region Free | 1.85:1 AR | DTS-HD Master Audio
+ Restored in 2K from 35mm original camera negative
+ “The Zugsmith Connection” featurette with FANNY HILL star Ulli Lomell
+ Interview with film historian Eric Schaefer + Reversible cover art for THE PHANTOM GUNSLINGER

Grab a copy directly from Vinegar Syndrome or get it from Diabolik








Also from VS, on DVD only is Wakefield Poole's Bible!

From acclaimed erotic filmmaker, Wakefield Poole, comes The Bible, like you’ve never seen it before!

The stories of Adam & Eve, Bath Sheba and Samson & Delilah are given sexual twists in this visually stunning and sensually charged masterpiece of the erotic avant-garde.
Featuring Georgina Spelvin (The Devil in Miss Jones), Gloria Grant and Bo White, Wakefield Poole’s BIBLE comes to home video for the first time fully restored from the original negative and loaded with extra features.

BIBLE, Directed by Wakefield Poole
1973 | 76 minutes | Color | 1.33:1
Features Include:
+ Dual Layer DVD-9 | Region Free | 1.33:1 | MONO
+ Scanned and restored in 2k
+ Director’s Audio Commentary + Director’s Introduction
+ Theatrical Trailer + Interview with Actress Georgina Spelvin
+ Interview with Actress Gloria Grant
+ Screen Tests & Still Gallery

Get it from Vinegar Syndrome or Diabolik.

Silent Night, Bloody Night was just put out by Code Red not too long ago (in a double feature with Invasion of the Blood Farmers), but a company called Film Chest has just released their own DVD with a HD transfer newly restored from 35mm elements. This release comes with a lower price tag than the Code Red disc, although the Code Red does include bonus materials and an entire other movie, so it might be worth the few extra dollars to grab that one instead.

You can pick this one up here.

Mondo Macabro comes The Snake God (Il Dio Serpente) from director Piero Vivarelli (who was one of the several people credited with writing Django).

Abandoned by her rich industrialist husband on a remote Caribbean estate, Paola befriends Stella, a beautiful local girl who is an adept of a hidden voodoo cult. The two women become inseparable, sharing their most intimate secrets. All goes well until Paola demands that Stella take her to one of the voodoo ceremonies that she attends every week. There Paola falls under the spell of Djamballa, the powerful snake god, from whose magic there is no escape.
Bonus Features:

• Interview With Director
• Production notes
• Trailer

Get it now.

Force Five, Blood Feud & More Coming 2014 From Scorpion

No Horror titles in the bunch, but Force Five certainly looks like it's worth a look




News comes directly from Scorpion's Facebook:

On 2/11, we at Scorpion are releasing FORCE FIVE. To make a long story short, I convinced Code Red that this title has a much broader appeal and deserves a wider release than just being available at his store. So watch it hit the shelves on 2/11!

The DVD will feature a brand new 16x9 widescreen master in HD, and an original trailer.

On 2/18, Scorpion Releasing, in conjunction with Westchester Films, presents ON THE YARD, a hard look at life in a prison facility. The film stars John Heard of CAT PEOPLE, Thomas G. Waites of THE THING, and Mike Kellin of SLEEPAWAY CAMP.

The DVD features a 16x9 widescreen (1.78:1) HD master, and an on camera interview with star Waites. The DVD's MSRP is 19.95.

On 3/11, in conjunction with ITV, we are releasing Lina Wertmuller's BLOOD FEUD with Sophia Loren, and Marcello Mastroianni, in widescreen from an HD master. Please note that this is the U.S. cut, and the English dub version, as that is what’s been licensed to me. ITV does not control the other version or language tracks for the U.S. MSRP is 19.95.

Rosemary's Baby Vinyl Soundtrack Details

As I mentioned the other day Waxwork Records is putting out a vinyl soundtrack for Rosemary's Baby and they've just announced the full details and cover art for the release.

Rosemary’s Baby will be available on clear 180 gram vinyl.

Two very limited variants will be available: 500 randomly inserted units will be pressed onto 180 gram black and crystal clear center haze vinyl.

The first 200 customers will receive a very special super variant presented in a never-before created vinyl effect: An independently double colored / sided record. SIDE A features a baby blue marble and SIDE B features a deep blood red marble. This special variant is a solid 12″ LP and weighs in at 200 grams. This record is a first of it’s kind.

LP package details include audiophile-grade virgin vinyl housed in an old style heavyweight casebound tip-on gatefold jacket with satin finish and spot UV gloss. A satin finish art print featuring an extensive essay by artist Jay Shaw will be inserted into each package.
Jay Shaw’s tasteful and detailed cover art marks the first time Rosemary’s Baby artwork has been studio-approved since Stephen Frankfurt’s iconic 1968 film poster for the film.

Side A
1. Main Title
2. Furnishing The Apartment
3. Chanting
4. Dream
5. Lullaby
6. The Pain
7. How To Prepare A Good Steak / The Ear
8. Holiday Music
9. After The Call To Hutch
10. Good Appetite
11. Lullaby / Crib Sequence
Side B
12. Scrabble
13. Book About Witchcraft
14. The Horrible Doctor
15. The Fragrance
16. The Horrible Doctor #2
17. The Short Dream
18. Iron Bars/ Elevator Lift/ Dr. Sapirsteih And Syringe
19. Path To The Pit Of Evil #1
20. Path To The Pit Of Evil #2 & #3
21. What Have You Done?

New Trailer For Nurse - In 3-D For No Apparent Reason

Looks like Douglas Aarniokoski's film Nurse 3D is finally set to come out February 7th of next year on VOD and will also receive a limited theatrical run.

This movie's release has been a long time coming, I read about it in Maxim the last time Katrina Bowden was on the cover, which was well over a year ago (the issue also mentioned "the upcoming Piranha 3DD", to give you some idea of how long ago that was). Glad to see it's finally coming out, I always liked Katrina on 30 Rock and she was one of the very few bright spots of Piranha 3DD. Check out the trailer below and try to figure out why this movie is in 3D,

Nurse 3D (2013) Trailer #1 - The funniest home videos are here

And for no reason other than the fact that I like her face here's Katrina Bowden