Hitting Shelves 9.24

Okay, so I'm a day late on this. Sorry about that, but here we go. There's some really good stuff out there today, here are a few of the highlights.   For starters, this is a big week for releases for Scream Factory, with three anticipated titles making their Blu-ray debuts. (Also on DVD, for those of you who have not yet converted to the Hi-Def system).

Directed by Australian Richard Franklin, Psycho II finds Norman released by Dr. Raymond (Robert Loggia) after 22 years in the freak wharf (sorry Paul F. Thompkins came on Pandora a lot today). He begins working at a diner and soon befriends one of his coworkers, a cute but inept young waitress named Mary. Mary is played by Jennifer Tilly's sister Meg, who I think bears a pretty striking resemblance to a young Edward Furlong. Anyone else think she's a bit Furlongian in the face, or am I just insane here?

Soon Mary breaks up with her boyfriend and reluctantly decides to accept Norman's offer of a room FOC (free of charge). Very shortly after Mary moves in people start turning up murdered and Norman again begins to question his sanity.

Psycho II is rather fun entry in the series with a great performance from Perkins, some rather shocking deaths and a great story that will keep you guessing. It's way better than you'd think, and anyone who hasn't seen it should be sure to pick this one up. If you only see one Psycho sequel, make it this one. Scream Factory hasn't piled on the extras for this release, but the commentary from Fright Night director Tom Holland is a great listen.

Things to watch for:
Meg Tilly's Wifebeater. Furlongian or not, she's cute
Drugs and hookers? You're gonna taint the reputation of the Bates Motel!
A shockingly Fulcian skull knifing, sort of a reverse of the opening death is House By The Cemetery

Bonus features:

All-new Audio Commentary with Screenwriter Tom Holland Vintage interviews with cast and crew including Anthony Perkins and director Richard Franklin Vintage audio interviews with cast and crew TV Spots Original Theatrical Trailer

V/H/S2 - Blu-ray/DVD/VHS Combo September 24th

 Magnolia has just announced a release date for the upcoming release of V/H/S/2. September 24th is the date you'll be able to pick up the Blu-ray/DVD/VHS (yes, VHS) combo pack. Those of you who aren't interested in gimmicks, or who don't own a VCR (though really, everyone should have at least one VCR in storage somewhere) need not worry, there will be standard Blu-ray and DVD releases as well. You can preorder today at Amazon.

I didn't get around to seeing this one during the VOD release, but I'm looking forward to seeing it so I can finally see just what the hell is going on with the image of that bloody dude in his underwear. I'm hoping there is a bit less shakiness in this sequel, the shaky cam in the first film activated my motion sickness almost immediately, I nearly barfed about half an hour in.

I think they're gonna need a bigger box.

From the innovative minds that brought you last year’s V/H/S comes V/H/S/2, an all-new anthology of dread, madness, and gore. Searching for a missing student, two private investigators break into his abandoned house and find another collection of mysterious VHS tapes. In viewing the horrific contents of each cassette, they realize there may be terrifying motives behind the student’s disappearance.

Bonus Features 

• Tape 49 Rewind 
• Dissecting Phase I Clinical Trials 
• Inside Safe Haven 
• Slumber Party Alien Abduction: Behind the Lights 
• A Ride in the Park: I Dare You 
• AXS TV: A Look at V/H/S/2
• Behind the Scenes  Photo Galleries
• Filmmaker Commentary 
• Theatrical Trailers

Eisener's V/H/S 2 'Slumber Party Alien Abduction' Segment Poster

VHS 2 - On Demand Now!

Wow, I think I lost track of just how quickly VHS 2 was coming. So quickly that's it's actually On Demand right now. Seriously, turn on your TV and look, it's already there. I'm stupid busy with work right now, so I probably won't get a chance to check it out for a few days but I'm very anxious to see this one as soon as possible.

Here's another I'm looking forward to checking out that's coming out tomorrow, though very far from the type of movies I usually talk about here. A post-rapture comedy awkwardly titled Rapture-Palooza. Looks like an okay comedy, not hysterical but good for some laughs, but what has me excited is seeing the name Chris Matheson after the words "Written by"". Chris wrote a little movie called Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, that's all I need to hear to want to check it out when it hits On Demand June 7th.