Holy crap Batman, look at this weeks list of DVD releases! Its a monster! Yes Robin - every Black Tuesday theres graveyards and gore for as far as the eye can see. We'll never watch all these flicks! Whatever are we gonna do Batman? I dont know Robin - but these tights are ridin my crack. Lets get back to the batcave and throw a few of these badboys into Alfred's new HD system! Take a gander at one of the most complete horror DVD release pages on the web! From the amateur independant filmmaker to the mega-dollar hollywood productions... Here are the new DVD releases for this colossal week of February 28th, 2006...
Scum (1979)
- trailer (windows media) -
78 minutes
Rated R
Starring Ray Winstone, Mick Ford, Julian Firth
Directed by Alan Clarke
Alan Clarke's notorious film, which has been called "the most raw and powerful british film ever made" by DVD Review - presented in a fine quality, two-disc pack.
IMDB Plot Description: This is the hard and shocking story of life in a British Borstal for young offenders. Luckily the regime has changed since this film was made. The brutal regime made no attempt to reform or improve the inmates and actively encouraged a power struggle between the 'tough' new inmate and the 'old hands'. The film was originally made as a BBC play but it was banned before ever being shown. So 'Alan Clarke' and Roy Minton got it re-made as a film. This is a tough and brutal film and should not be viewed lightly.
DVD Special Features include: English subtitles, English audio tracks (in Dolby Digital 5.1 stereo, 2.0 surround, and 2.0 mono), audio commentary with star ray winstone, interviews with producer Clive Parsons & writer Roy Minton, poster and still galleries, the theatrical trailer, audio commentary with star Phil Daniels and David Threlfall and Producer Margaret Matheson, and selected scenes with audio commentary by star Ray Winstone.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Three... Extremes (2004) (Review)
- trailer (windows media) -
125 minutes
Rated R for strong disturbing violent content, some involving abortion and torture, and for sexuality and language
Starring Ling Bai, Pauline Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai
Directed by Takashi Miike, Fruit Chan, Park Chan-wook
Here's the one you've been hearing about for months, finally available to everyone. Can you say Asian Masters of Horror? Three horror movies from three of Asia's premeire directors of the macabre collaborate to create one of the top 10 talked about horror films of 2005.
Amazon.com Customer Review: "The idea of unleashing three of Asia's wildest directors in the same omnibus film is a terrific one, and putting the likes of Miike Takashi and Park Chan-wook to work in the Twilight Zone-style mini-feature is mouth-watering for fans. (Just look at what happened when Miike made an installment of Showtime's Masters of Horror series--it was deemed too crazy for broadcast.) Alas, the results are a letdown. First up, "Dumplings," is from Hong Kong's Fruit Chan, and it's the most cogent (and ickiest) of the bunch. Bai Ling plays a specialist in preparing dumplings that promise to restore youth and health for her customers; the weird part is she also runs a particular clinic on her premises. Ugh. The Korean offering from Park Chan-wook is "Cut," a warp on filmmaking about a self-centered director who gets trapped at his home (or is it the set of his new movie?) by a deranged former extra. The sadistic machinations here make Hannibal Lecter look reasonable, and the segment gets points for weirdness, but Park's take on revenge fantasies is much more exciting in Oldboy and Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. Miike represents Japan with "Box," which really is in the spirit of an old Outer Limits episode, complete with a "gotcha" ending that doesn't seem worth the trouble. Sure, twins are always a good topic for horror, but this segment is a long way to travel for not much. All three segments look good--there's little hint of the grindhouse cheapie here--but overall it's a disappointment."
DVD Special Features include: English and Spanish subtitles, English audio tracks (Dobly Digital 5.1, 2.0 stereo), Fruit Chan's extended, feature-length version of Dumplings, commentary on Box by director Miike Takashi, and trailers.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Death Tunnel (2005)
- trailer (quicktime) -
91 minutes
Rated R for strong bloody violence/gore, language and nudity
Starring Steffany Huckaby, Annie Burgstede, Kristin Novak
Directed by Philip Adrian Booth
IMDB Plot Desciption: Movie is based on the True Stories and Hauntings of Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Louisville, Kentucky. This horrific Five story structure is listed as one of the Top Ten Scariest Places on Earth, due to the 63,000+ deaths within this monument of Terror. They were then carried through the massive Five hundred foot underground Tunnel to their final resting place. The story involves Five girls on a college initiation, dared to spend the night separately on the Five floors of this sanatorium, with the Five ghosts that exist within it's abandoned corridors. Will they make it through the night? For the only way out is through...the Death Tunnel.
HoH was faithfully covering the development of this film - which sounded really good on paper. The old asylum - actually being filmed at one of the scariest places in the world. I got my hands on the DVD and the movie was absolutely amateurish and weak. I watched it twice - couldn't sit through it once. Unbearably bad, low budget horror that'll be in the $5 bin in a couple of months.
DVD Special Features include: English and Spanish subtitles, English audio (5.1 Dolby Digital), a behind the scenes featurette, "Death is in Fashion" featurette, and a photo gallery.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Joshua (2006)
- trailer (flash) -
95 minutes
Rated R for strong aberrant violence, language and some sexuality.
Starring Ward Roberts
Directed by Travis Betz
Not much can be found on this title from Fangoria, other than reviews from fans that say its an exceptional horror movie. Went to the offical site and got the general synopsis: Returning home to attend his imprisoned father's funeral, Kelby soon discovers that confronting his dead father allays only half of his demons. Thirteen years ago, Kelby left this town - but since then, what he has tried to end has only grown stronger. His unsuspecting finace, Amelia, is tossed into the center of his Hell, as she watches the man she loves break down and evolve into the secrets he buried. The name Joshua is uprooted, and the more Amelia realizes who Kelby was, he in turn realizes who he is. What he discovers is more terrifying than the Devil himself...
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
KatieBird *Certifiable Crazy Person (2004)
- trailer (quicktime) -
99 minutes
Unrated
Starring Helene Udy, Taylor M. Dooley, Nicole Jarvis
Directed by Justin Paul Ritter
Amazon.com Description: What would happen if Ed Gein or Ted Bundy were to have children and raise them to follow in their bloody footsteps? KatieBird Wilkens, brought to life with unnerving depth and believability by horror veteran Helene Udy (My Bloody Valentine) explores this very question in a chilling and graphic testimony of family tradition, emotional confusion and complete insanity. Crisp, stylish imagery and a wild original score come together tell the unforgettable story of a certifiably crazy cast of characters!
Alex Afterman - Heretic Films: “We picked up Katiebird because it fits in so well with what Heretic stands for: high-quality filmmaking, originality of story, extreme nature of the subject matter and a unique visual style, like the paneling effect used throughout—a first for a feature-length film. Katiebird is truly the first movie of its kind, visually and narratively, and at Heretic we’re looking for great, original genre filmmaking that stands out from the pack and speaks to the fans—movies that are extreme and well-made. And is this film creepy! When you've seen Katie’s Tooth Extractor in action, you’ll think twice before making that next dentist appointment!”
DVD Special Features include: English subtitles, English audio (Dolby Digital 2.0), commentaries by director Justin Paul Ritter and stars Helene Udy, Taylor M. Dooley and Lee Perkins, "Movies NOT Excuses" exclusive featurette, "Misa Does Makeup" mini-featurette on the makeup of Katiebird, liner notes by director Justin Paul Ritter, theatrical and teaser trailers, bonus previews, and easter eggs.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Fear of Clowns (2004)
- trailer (windows media) -
106 minutes
Rated R for violence, some nudity and brief language
Starring Jacky Reres, Mark Lassise, Rick Ganz
Directed by Kevin Kangas
IMDB Plot Description: An artist with coulrophobia ("fear of clowns") is stalked by a murderous clown resembling one of the ones she paints.
FilmThreat says: "The first five minutes is stacked high and deep with creepy moments. Thirty seven minutes in will give you an excellent suspense building sequence with a good payoff, and more of these can be found throughout"... "lousy special effects"... "a solidly put together movie"... "Closer attention and a bigger effects budget probably would have solved most problems."
DVD Special Features include: English and Spanish subtitles, English audio (5.1 Dolby Digital), filmmaker's commentary, "No Clowning Around: The Making of Fear of Clowns" featurette, outtakes, and a trailer gallery.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
The Gardener (1975)
87 minutes
Rated R
Starring Katharine Houghton, Joe Dallesandro, Rita Gam
Directed by James H. Kay
IMDB Plot Description: Garden of love... garden of death, he plants the seeds of evil. A sinister landscaper turns into a tree and learns to communicate with his fellow plants. Also known as: The Seeds of Evil
DVD Special Features include: English audio tracks (Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo and mono), commentary by star Joe Dallesandro, commentary by director James H. Kay, featurette with cast and crew, trailers, talent bios, still gallery, original mono mix and new stereo 2.0 mix, mini-poster and postcard-size lobby card reproductions
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Luciano Ercoli's The Death Box Set (1971)
unk. minutes
Unrated
Starring Nieves Navarro, Simón Andreu, Frank Wolff
Directed by Luciano Ercoli
This Death Box Set of two films by Luciano Ercoli, the well known Italian horror-thriller filmmaker of the 60's and 70's.
Death Walks on High Heels - A famed jewel thief named Rochard is slashed to death on a train. His daughter Nicole, a famous nightclub performer in Paris, is questioned by the police about some missing diamonds but she claims to know nothing about this. Nicole is then terrorized by a masked man with piercing blue eyes who demands to know where her father has hidden the stolen diamonds. Suspecting that her jealous boyfriend Michel may be the man who is harassing her, Nicole and her new-found friend Dr. Robert Matthews escape to England and apparant safety. But the killer will strike again.
Death Walks at Midnight - Valentina, a beautiful fashion model, takes an experimental drug as part of a scientific experiment. While influenced by the drug, Valentina has a vision of a young woman being brutally murdered with a viciously spiked glove. It turns out that a woman was killed in exactly the same way not long ago and soon Valentina finds herself stalked by the same killer.
DVD Special Features include: DISC 1 - Death Walks on High Heels, including an original Italian theatrical trailer, original english theatrical trailer, poster gallery, and still gallery... DISC 2 - Death Walks at Midnight, including the TV version, poster gallery, and still gallery... DISC 3 - a CD, including "The Sound of Love and Death" the very best of Stelvio Cipriani, English subtitles, English and Italian audio tracks (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono), remastered in high definition from the restored original 2P negatives, and a collectable booklet - including liner notes and talent bios.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Satan's Blood (1977)
82 minutes
Unrated
Starring Ãngel Aranda, Sandra Alberti, Mariana Karr
Directed by Carlos Puerto
Amazon.com Description: A genuinely creepy Satanic horror flick. Plenty of sleaze and full frontal nudity. Andy & Anna are bored and decide to go for a drive in the country. On the way they meet another couple who claim to know them from many years before. They agree to visit their country house and end up staying the night. A simple game with a Ouija board goes badly wrong and the evening begins to turn into a nightmare. Things get worse when Anna is attacked by a mysterious stranger. When Andy goes to investigate he finds that they have strayed into the clutches of a dangerous pair of psychopaths who are planning for them a fate worse than death. In 1970's Spain, certain films were released with an "S" classification - S for Sex. These were films with an unusually high number of scenes of sex & sadism. Satan's Blood was one of the first of these "S" films and is still one of the most notorious.
DVD Special Features include: English subtitles, Spanish and English audio tracks (Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo), brand new hi-def transfer from original vault elements, world DVD premeire, newly comissioned documentary "The Devil's Disciples: A History of 20th Century Satanism", Mondo Macabro preview reel, and an english/spanish language choice with optional subtitles.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Tokyo Psycho (2004)
79 minutes
Unrated
Starring Seiji Chihara, Yuka Hayashi, Sachiko Kokubu
Directed by Ataru Oikawa
Im obsessed with the cover of this DVD. Sweet...
IMDB Plot Summary: A shocking tale of real-life horror, from the director of Tomie - Sachiko Kokubu, the beautiful owner of a Tokyo design agency, finds her life disrupted when she receives paper scraps stitched together with piano wire with the message "I know you were meant to marry me." As further messages come she embarks on a nightmare investigation to uncover the identity of her tormentor.
DVD Special Features include: English and Spanish subtitles, Japanese audio tracks (Dolby Digital 5.1, 2.0 surround), English commentary by Panik House President Matt Kennedy and Japense licensor Ko Mori, Spanish commentary by critic Enrique Galvaez, featurette "Behind-the-Scenes: The Making of Tokyo Psycho", Essay "True Crime: The Inspiration for Tokyo Psycho" by Selwyn Harris, Tokyo Psycho premiere, poster and still galleries, production notes, director, writer and actress bios, trailers, bilingual menu navigation, and a mini-poster sticker.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Werewolves on Wheels (1971)
79 minutes
Rated R
Starring Martin Donovan, Edward Furlong, Kelly Lynch
Directed by Robby Henson
IMDB Plot Description: A biker gang visits a monastery where they encounter black-robed monks engaged in worshipping Satan. When the monks try to persuade one of the female bikers, Helen, to become a satanic sacrifice the bikers smash up the monastery and leave. The monks have the last laugh, though, as Helen, as a result of the satanic rituals, is now possessed and at night changes into a werewolf, with dire results for the biker gang.
DVD Special Features include: English audio tracks (Dolby Digital 2.0 mono), commentary by director Michel Levesque and co-writer David M. Kaufman, still gallery, radio spots, and trailers.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
When a Killer Calls (2005)
86 minutes
Rated R for strong brutal violence, language and some sexuality
Starring Rebekah Kochan, Mark Irvingson, Sarah Hall
Directed by Peter Mervis
No. Its not When A Stranger Calls. Its Aslylum's latest "rip-off" release - hot on the heels of Exorcism: The Possession of Gail Bowers. Its easy to bash this from the title alone. Stars Rebekah Kochan, the girl who played the trashy Francie from Gail Bowers. I ended up liking that film, so I wont bash this one just yet - but she wasn't exactly in the top 5 best actors of that film, so what is that telling us...
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
The Visitation (2005)
99 minutes
Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, violence/terror and disturbing images.
Starring Martin Donovan, Edward Furlong, Kelly Lynch
Directed by Robby Henson
Amazon.com Description: Miracles are happening in the sleepy town of Antioch, and everyone is talking about the mysterious stranger with the healing hands. "He is coming," proclaim his disciples, but who is this charismatic stranger? Is this the true messiah, a false prophet, or something far more sinister? The townspeople are soon divided, and when happenings at the stranger's revival tent take on a bizarre and frightening twist, it's up to an ex-minister who's lost his faith to confront his own inner demons and unlock the shocking secret of The Visitation in this electrifying thriller. Based on the best-selling novel by Frank Peretti. From blockbuster producer Ralph Winter (X-Men, X2, Fantastic Four).
DVD Special Features include: English and Spanish subtitles, and English audio tracks in Dolby Digital 5.1
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Evils of the Night (1985)
90 minutes
Rated R
Starring John Carradine, Julie Newmar, Tina Louise
Directed by Mardi Rustam
IMDB Plot Description: They thought they were alone... Sex-hungry teens are kidnapped by auto mechanics, who take them to a rural hospital run by aliens who need their blood as the key to their own longevity.
Cavett Binion - All Movie Guide: This uproariously bad sci-fi/horror oddity plays like a modern version of a cheesy '50s alien-invasion flick, only not as clever. The filmmakers deserve some credit for throwing everything but the kitchen sink into the plot (and perhaps even the sink's in there somewhere), which involves the diabolical plans of three silver-suited aliens, played by -- ready for this? -- John Carradine, Julie Newmar (TV's Catwoman) and Tina Louise (Ginger from Gilligan's Island), who hire a couple of drunken wrench jockeys (Neville Brand and Aldo Ray) to help them abduct a bunch of lame-brained teenage campers for use in the production of a youth-restoring serum. This allows for endless riffing on the Friday the 13th scenario, as over-sexed teens are stalked by ski-masked Brand and Ray. "B"-movie fans should be forewarned that this film's once-in-a-lifetime acting ensemble does virtually nothing to enhance the negligible entertainment value.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Binge & Purge (2003)
83 minutes
Unrated
Starring Tanya Barnard, Stephen Bourke, Fiona Eden-Walker
Directed by Brian Clement
Yahoo Movies Description: It's Christmastime in the near future, and terrorism has turned the U.S. in to a police state. After a rash of murders begins to plague the nation's capital, two young cops are assigned to investigate the murder of a young fashion model. Those cops disappear, too, and the police chief then puts two private detectives on the case. These unwitting hired hands then discover a web of corruption, deceit, violence, and cannibalism with an origin much closer to home than anyone could've expected.
Fans of Brian Clement are used to seeing some skin, some absurdity, something bizarre. Binge and Purge falls a bit short in each of those categories, leaving you with amateur acting and non-graphic special effects. Sounds like it needs a story, and judging from the plot description... ahem.
DVD Special Features include: English audio (unspecified), commentary by director Brian Clement, deleted scenes, outtakes, a premiere featurette, trailer, and a still gallery.
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
The Confessional (1975)
104 minutes
Rated R for adult situations and adult language
Starring Susan Penhaligon, Stephanie Beacham, Anthony Sharp
Directed by Pete Walker
IMDB Plot Desciption: A priest tapes his parishioners' confessions, then uses the tapes to blackmail them. When they can't or won't pay, he murders them. After several of the parishioners turn up dead, a housekeeper begins to have her suspicions about him.
Cavett Binion - All Movie Guide: British sleaze artist Pete Walker applies his characteristic sleazy, ultra-violent touch to this audacious, Catholic-bashing tale. A deranged, sex-mad priest (Anthony Sharpe) exploits the sanctity of his office as a means of harassing young women who confide their sins in his confessional, recording their confessions in order to blackmail them into doing his vile bidding. Eventually, evidence of these transgressions reaches other members of his parish (including his mother), prompting him to bump them off in creative ways, utilizing the trappings of his profession -- strangulation by rosary, arsenic-laced communion wafers, bludgeoning by incense burner, etc. Much criticism has been leveled against this film for its unabashed attacks on Catholicism, but it's really Walker's trademark amoral approach to filmmaking that elicits a strong urge to take a hot bath after viewing.
Also previously released under the title: House of Mortal Sin
Click here to get it from Amazon.com
OTHER DVD RELEASES THIS WEEK
Graveyard Series, Episode 1: Terror in the Crypt (1963)
90 minutes
Unrated
Starring Adriana Ambesi, Ursula Davis, Christopher Lee
Directed by Camillo Mastrocinque
IMDB Plot Description: Count Karnstein sends for a doctor to help his sick daughter Laura. Her nurse believes she is possessed by the spirit of a dead ancestor;Carmilla. A young woman becomes intrigued by the mysterious deaths surrounding Laura after a carriage accident outside the castle forces her to stay. They become close friends until Laura becomes convinced the spirit of Carmilla is forcing her to kill.
IMDB Viewer Review: This is a superbly old-fashioned and atmospheric chiller from the Italian Gothic horror revival of the 60s. The sets and costumes are stately, the camera-work slithery and shadowy (in good old b&w), and the lush score (featuring theremin and other creepy sounds) is a knockout. Since it is based on the Karnstein legend, there are plenty of exotic, full-figured Euro-starlets on hand to heave their breasts and scream, and the lesbian angle is fairly overt. Best of all, it's played with utmost conviction, avoiding the campiness that often crept into these items (intentionally or not). Although there's not enough sex or violence to appeal to modern genre fans, there are a couple of fine shocks and an inescapable atmosphere of doom and ferocity mingled with eroticism. A must-see for the discerning fan, along with the similarly-themed Slaughter of the Vampires.
Only $6.99! Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Graveyard Series, Episode 2: Disciple of Death (1972)
90 minutes
Unrated
Starring Mike Raven, Ronald Lacey, Stephen Bradley
Directed by Tom Parkinson
IMDB Plot Description: Who has unleashed the evil among us? A henchman of Satan poses as a priest in order to get closer to young virgins he needs for human sacrifice.
"The Stranger", a disciple of Satan, interrupts two lovers and stabs a man in the back - who then proceeds to vomit blood onto the clevage of his girlfriend. Another woman is bound and gagged and sacrificed as her heart is ripped out and her blood drank from a chalice. Two lovely scenes from a lowly horror film that at least makes an attempt to be gothic and bloody. Something you might have watched as a midnight movie before cable took over...
Only $6.99! Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Graveyard Series, Vol. 3: House of Evil (1968)
- trailer (windows media) -
90 minutes
Unrated
Starring Boris Karloff, Julissa, Andrés García
Directed by Jack Hill, Juan Ibáñez
IMDB Plot Description: Relatives of a recently deceased man meet at his eerie castle for a reading of the will. They encounter a sinister piano player who turns out to be a toy maker, and his toys are imbued with murderous intentions.
Even though the name Boris Karloff jumps to sight, and the story was created by Edgar Allen Poe, this one is slow and non-shocking to say the least. Was also released under the title: Danse of Death. One of Karloff's last films.
Only $6.99! Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Graveyard Series, Vol. 4: Blood Seekers (1971)
90 minutes
Unrated
Starring Robert Winston, Yvonne Nielson, Vic Diaz
Directed by Newt Arnold
IMDB Plot Description: A sex-crimes specialist from New York travels to the Philippines to help his friend, a Manila homicide detective, solve a series of murders. Also known as: Blood Thirst.
IMDB Viewer Review: Kind of funny, real bad. Waste of time? There's a giggle or two. If you're philosophically inclined, you might find yourself thinking about Catholic Indian culture and the myth of the bloodsucker.
Only $6.99! Click here to get it from Amazon.com
Diecovery (2006)
- A newlywed couple goes on a honeymoon to the wilderness of Thailand. Unfortunately there's something there waiting for them, someone with evil intentions. 25 years ago a girl was killed there and buried in the back yard. Now the couple has to try to escape this ghostly nightmare.
- Released by Tokyo Shock, not rated, 125 minutes
- get it here
Horror Classics, Vol. 9 (2006)
- The Satanic Rites of Dracula (1973) - Director: Alan Gibson
- The Terror (1963) - Director: Monte Hellman, Jack Hill
- Mutant (1983) - Director: John 'Bud' Cardos, Mark Rosman
- Dead Men Walk (1943) - Director: Sam Newfield
- get it here
Horror Classics, Vol. 18 (2006)
- 266 minutes, B&W
- Rated PG-13, from Platinum Disc, like the others in the series
- Looked everywhere and couldn't find titles for this release
- get it here
Screaming for Sanity (2005)
- As far as I can tell, this is a re-release of Truth or Dare 3
- 90 minutes, rated R, directed by Tim Ritter - his sequel to Truth or Dare 2, Wicked Games
- get it here
