DVD and Blu-ray Releases: October 31, 2017
Sean Brickley
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HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY!
I had a few last minute items pop up over the weekend, so the list for the finest of holidays is still pretty decent. Both the Hellraiser Steelbook and the Collector’s Edition Blu-ray of J.D.’s Revenge may not be out until the 14th of November, but I will remind you again about those in two weeks.
Including those two movies, this week’s lineup is pretty stacked with classic titles. You could check out Ernest Borgnine, William Shatner and John Travolta in 1975’s The Devil’s Rain. Or you could reach back even further to 1971 with Web Of The Spider. We’ve even got titles from the 40s, 50s and 60s this week.
Maybe you’re a child of the 1980s and would prefer Slaughter High, on Blu-ray from Lionsgate. Blue Underground is bringing us 1983’s The Lift, while our friends from Canada deliver the “Canucksploitation” treasure, Beyond The 7th Door.
Romero fans will rejoice in the knowledge that 2004’s Dawn Of The Dead and 2005’s Land Of The Dead will each be getting their own Collector’s Edition Blu-ray from the good people at Scream Factory.
Lastly, if you were a fan of The Sacrament like I was, you may want to check out the more recent found-footage title Apocalypse Cult. For more information on this freaky looking movie, check out the trailer here.
Everyone have a happy and safe Halloween and as always, pleasant viewing.
MOVIES
Apocalypse Cult (2017)
Starring:
Jane Elizabeth Barry, David Macrae, Geoff Pinfield
Synopsis:
While investigating the legend of a mysterious group of people living in the forest, a local news crew becomes trapped in the grasp of a doomsday cult, who are about to execute their final act of devotion.
The Beast From 20,000 Fathoms (1953)
Starring:
Paul Christian, Paula Raymond, Cecil Kellaway, Kenneth Tobey, Jack Pennick
Synopsis:
Near the Arctic Circle, an atomic bomb is detonated. This fearsome experiment disturbs the sleep of a giant rhedosaurus encased in ice over 100-million years and sends it southward on a destructive, deadly rampage!
The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms is a film of firsts. It spawned a new era of atomic-age creature features. It was the first screen adaptation of a work by fantasy fiction titan Ray Bradbury. And it marked the first time Ray Harryhausen had total control over special effects. He came up with a fantastic creature (constructed at full scale, all 50 tons of it) that swims down from the north to run amok through New York City before being conquered in a spectacular Coney Island roller-coaster finale. Take a classic ride. Unleash The Beast.
Beyond The 7th Door (1987)
Starring:
Lazar Rockwood, Bonnie Beck, Gary Freedman
Synopsis:
More than 30 years later, it remains one of the most ambitious, sought-after and totally bizarre low-budget Canadian features of all: Yugoslavian-born actor Lazar Rockwood in a debut performance Canuxploitation.com calls “creepy, astonishingly uncharismatic, and displaying a complete disregard for the craft of acting” is Boris, an ex-con and career thief who convinces his ex-girlfriend (Bonnie Beck) to help him rob her wealthy boss castle. But when Boris discovers that the eccentric millionaire has booby-trapped the building, they’ll have to survive six riddle-triggered rooms of homicidal mayhem in order to claim the treasure. Writer/director (and future best-selling religious thriller author) B.D. Benedikt made his unforgettable filmmaking debut with this bottom-shelf VHS classic, now loaded with Special Features produced exclusively for its worldwide DVD premiere.
Dawn Of The Dead (2004) (Collector’s Edition)
Starring:
Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Weber, Mekhi Phifer, Ty Burrell
Synopsis:
When Hell reaches its capacity, the United States is overrun with millions of corpses that have returned to the Earth as blood-thristy zombies. In the small town of Everett, Washington, a small group of survivors take refuge at the local mall.
The Devil’s Rain (1975)
Starring:
Ernest Borgnine, William Shatner, John Travolta, Ida Lupino
Synopsis:
Take an all-star cast including William Shatner, Ernest Borgnine, Eddie Albert, Keenan Wynn, Tom Skerritt, Ida Lupino and even John Travolta in his movie debut at their most hellishly over-the- top. Add one of the most visually inventive filmmakers of the era director Robert Fuest, of The Abominable Dr. Phibes fame and thrust them into an insane tale of rural occult carnage, featuring Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey as Technical Advisor. Watch in infernal awe as it all hurtles towards the most eye-popping, flesh-melting finale in grindhouse history. Now experience this devilishly infamous classic as you’ve never seen or heard it before, restored in HD for the first time ever and oozing with all-new Extras approved by Lucifer himself!
Down (aka The Shaft) (2001) (Limited Edition)
Starring:
James Marshall, Naomi Watts, Eric Thal, Michael Ironside, Edward Herrmann
Synopsis:
You May Want to Take the Stairs… When the express elevators in New York City’s 102-story Millennium Building start to malfunction, elevator mechanics Mark (James Marshall of “Twin Peaks”) and Jeff (Eric Thal of The Puppet Masters) are sent to find the cause. After a series of gruesome and deadly accidents occur, Mark joins forces with spunky reporter Jennifer (Naomi Watts of The Ring), who’s on the hunt for a juicy story. As the death toll rises and the building is sealed off amid claims of terrorism, Mark and Jennifer attempt to unravel the horrifying secret behind the mysterious behavior of the bloodthirsty lift before it takes them and the entire city Down! Michael Ironside (Scanners), Edward Herrmann (The Lost Boys), Dan Hedaya (Commando), and Ron Perlman (Hellboy) co-star in this big-budget remake of The Lift helmed by original Writer/Director Dick Maas (Amsterdamned). Previously released on home video in a cropped full-frame transfer as The Shaft, Blue Underground is now proud to present Down in a brand-new widescreen 2K restoration from the original negative, approved by Dick Maas!
Hellraiser (1987) (Limited Edition Steelbook)
Starring:
Andrew Robinson, Claire Higgins, Ashley Laurence
Synopsis:
Stephen King was once famously quoted as saying, ”I have seen the future of horror…his name is Clive Barker.” That future was realized in 1987 with the release of Barker’s directorial debut Hellraiser. Based on his own novella The Hellbound Heart, Barker’s Hellraiser sees Larry (Andrew Robinson) and his wife Julia (Clare Higgins) move into their new home, unaware that something evil lurks beneath the floorboards of the dilapidated house – something that wants human blood… Introducing the world to the iconic Pinhead and his sadistic band of Cenobites, Hellraiser became an instant genre classic upon release and remains one of the most frighteningly original visions in horror.
Island Of The Burning Damned (1967)
Starring:
Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Patrick Allen
Synopsis:
While mainland Britain shivers in deepest winter, the northern island of Fara bakes in the nineties. The boys at the Met station have no more idea what is going on than the regulars at the Swan. Only a stand-offish visiting scientist suspects aliens are to blame. Meanwhile the new secretary to the local best-selling author is raising the temperature in her own way.
J.D.’s Revenge (1976) (2-Disc Special Edition)
Starring:
Louis Gossett, Jr, Glynn Turman, Joan Pringle
Synopsis:
It wasn’t long before the Blaxploitation boom moved into the horror market, bringing the world Blacula, Blackenstein, Abby (Blaxploitation s The Exorcist) and cult favourite J.D.’s Revenge. Law student Ike is enjoying a night on the town with his friends when his life changes dramatically. Taking part in a nightclub hypnosis act, he becomes possessed with the spirit of a violent gangster murdered in the 1940s. Believing himself to be the reincarnation of murderous J.D., Ike launches a revenge campaign against those who had done ‘him’ wrong all those years ago… Directed by Arthur Marks (Bucktown, Friday Foster) and starring Glynn Turman (Cooley High) and Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman), J.D.’s Revenge is a alternately tough and terrifying a Blaxploitation gem waiting to be rediscovered!
Land Of The Dead (2005) (Collector’s Edition)
Starring:
Dennis Hopper, Simon Baker, Asia Argento
Synopsis:
Legendary filmmaker and godfather of zombie films George A. Romero returns to the genre he created to bring you his ultimate zombie masterpiece that’s unlike anything you have ever seen before. A group of hardened mercenaries are in an action-packed race to stop the destruction of mankind from a depraved army of the dead that have evolved into more advanced and threatening creatures.
The Lift (1983) (Limited Edition)
Starring:
Huub Stapel, Willeke van Ammelrooy, Josine van Dalsum
Synopsis:
There is something very wrong with the elevator in a stylish office high-rise. The passengers never end up on the floor of their choice. They end up dead! When Felix, an inquisitive repairman, investigates the faulty deathtrap, he discovers that something other than malfunctioning machinery is to blame. Some dark, distorted power has gained control of the elevator for its own evil design. After his horrifying discovery is given the shaft by the authorities, he joins a nosy female journalist to battle the unholy force inside The Lift! Huub Stapel (Amsterdamned) and Willeke van Ammelrooy (Antonia’s Line) star in this chilling cult classic from Writer/Director Dick Maas (Saint), who also composed the score and later helmed the 2001 English-language remake, Down (aka The Shaft). Long unavailable on U.S. home video, Blue Underground now proudly presents The Lift in a brand-new 2K restoration from the original negative, approved by Dick Maas!
Return of the Ape Man (1944)
Starring:
Bela Lugosi, John Carradine, George Zucco
Synopsis:
While on an Arctic expedition, two scientists find the frozen body of a prehistoric caveman. They bring him home to their laboratory, but decide that in order to fully utilize (and control) him, they must transplant a more developed brain into the caveman.
Robert And The Toymaker (2017)
Starring:
Lee Bane, Erick Hayden, Jo Weil, Nathan Head
Synopsis:
Nazi Germany, 1941, a legendary Occult book that holds the secret of bringing inanimate objects to life ends up in the hands of Toymaker Amos Blackwood. As the Nazis terrorize the locals while searching for the book, the Toymaker uses the power of the book and gives life to his collection of vintage dolls and handmade toys. The SS raid the Toymaker’s shop, confiscating the book and arresting Amos. But the animated dolls and toys don’t take kindly to the loss of their master. So, begins a mission to rescue the Toymaker from the clutches of the Nazis and exact their brutal and bloody revenge.
The Shadow Man (2017)
Starring:
Alison Louder, Sarah Jurgens, Rebecca Amzallag, Nick Baillie, Manuela Casinha
Synopsis:
Based on the experiences of the screenwriter and millions of people around the world, a newlywed photographer is stalked by a dark man in a brimmed hat who follows her from her nightmares and into reality. Sanity slipping, she meets a mysterious man claiming to know the shocking secrets of the Hat Man. It can happen to anyone. It can happen to you.
Slaughter High (1986)
Starring:
Caroline Munro, Simon Scuddamore, Kelly Baker, Sally Cross, Billy Hartman
Synopsis:
There’s horror in the halls…lynching in the lunchroom…murder in the metal shop. Welcome to Slaughter High where the students are dying to get out! In high school, Marty was the kid all the students teased, taunted, and tortured mercilessly. One day, things went too far – one of their jokes backfired, disfiguring Marty for life. Now, five years later, Marty has arranged a special reunion for all his high school ”friends.” The prom queen, the jock, the class clown, the rebel, and a few select others have been invited…and it’s going to be a gala of gore!
Vampire’s Ghost (1945)
Starring:
John Abbott, Charles Gordon, Peggy Stewart
Synopsis:
In a small African port, a tawdry bar is run by a old man named Webb Fallon. Fallon is actually a vampire, but he is becoming weary of his “life” of the past few hundred years.
Web of the Spider (1971)
Starring:
Anthony Franciosa, Michele Mercier, Klaus Kinski
Synopsis:
Edgar Allan Poe invites you to spend one night in the Web Of The Spider! An intrepid reporter by the name of Alan Foster (Anthony Franciosa, Tenebre), accepts a wager from Edgar Allan Poe (Klaus Kinski, Nosferatu The Vampire) and his companion, Thomas Blackwood, to spend a single night in the reputedly haunted Blackwood Castle on All Souls Eve. Shortly after settling into the spooky abode, the reporter meets the beautiful Elisabeth Blackwood (Michele Mercier, Black Sabbath), and begins to witness ghostly phenomena and visitations from beyond the grave, as an assortment of specters relive the last moments before their ghastly murders. Soon, Foster realizes that the damned spirits of Blackwood Castle require human blood to continue their unnatural existence! One of the last Italian gothic horror films, Web Of The Spider is a color remake of 1964’s Castle Of Blood, also directed by Antonio Margheriti, under the anglicized alias Anthony M. Dawson. Previously only available in the US in a cropped television master, Garagehouse Pictures is pleased to finally offer this Euro-horror classic in HD for the first time ever, fully restored and mastered from an uncut, domestic theatrical negative in its original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio!
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