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June 30, 2011

Thai Horror ‘The Coffin’ Coming this August


Breaking Glass Pictures will release the Thai horror film “The Coffin” on DVD August 30 under the Vicious Circle Films label.  Based on a real-life ritual and shot partially on ancient Thai spiritual grounds, “The Coffin” was a box office phenomenon in Thailand, breaking records for highest grossing Thai film of all time upon its release.

Buy The Coffin on DVD

June 29, 2011

Movie Review: Camille 2000 (1969, Blu-ray)

2011 has really become a year for the films of Radley Metzger. Three prominent genre companies (Cult Epics, Synapse Films and Distribpix with his Henry Paris films) have spearheaded DVD and Blu-ray releases for the acclaimed cult film director. Cult Epics, who put Metzger's Score out in late 2010 have continued produce his features on the high-def format. Most recently Cult Epics released Lickerish Quartet (1970) and now the extended cut of Camille 2000 (1969).

Buy Camille 2000 (Extended Version) (Blu-ray) or DVD

Kane Hodder Slasher Film ‘Exit 33’ Coming August 2


Breaking Glass Pictures will release director Tommy Brunswick’s horror film “Exit 33” on DVD August 2 under the company’s Vicious Circle Films label.  The film stars genre legend Kane Hodder (Jason Voorhees of the “Friday the 13th” series) as a backwoods gas station owner who captures and tortures a group of unlucky travelers. 

Buy Exit 33 on DVD

June 28, 2011

TV on DVD Review: The Beast (2009)

Son of a bitch. Why? Why did this have to be so good? Why did I have to like it? Why did it have to end at such an amazing plot point? This is Deadwood all over again. At least when this happened with The Job, we got a do over in the form of Rescue Me. Do you know what 261925 means? Neither do I. Nobody does, and nobody ever will. It will haunt me like a rat inside of my brain gnawing at the inside of my skull. The worst part? It's nobody's fault. Patrick Swayze is dead, and he left us with an awful cliffhanger. I suppose one day we'll say the same thing about Sylvester Stallone, but the meaning will be different. Swayze's best work was his last, and that's something we can all hope for.

Buy The Beast on DVD

Vampire Comedy “Strigoi” Coming to DVD in August





Breaking Glass Pictures will release director Faye Jackson’s vampire tale “Strigoi: The Undead” on DVD August 2 under the Vicious Circl Films label.  The dark comedy follows the quirky inhabitants of a Romanian village who learn that there are vampires among them.

Buy Strigoi: The Undead on DVD


June 27, 2011

The Frankenstein Syndrome Available July 5th from MTI!


Featuring our very own David C. Hayes and Hal Astell!

Pre-Order The Frankenstein Syndrome on DVD!

A beautiful young stem-cell researcher, Elizabeth Barnes (Tiffany Shepis), joins a secret research group attempting to develop a stem-cell based universal healing serum. Despite opposition from the project leaders she quickly develops a serum that can bring the dead back to life - but with horrific results. When one of the project's security guards is murdered and then re-animated, Barnes and her team must contend with a man, who at first, is like a child but quickly becomes something much, much more.

Ric Meyers' "For One Week Only" Available Now!




I Dismember Mama ... Snuff ... Night of a Thousand Cats ... these and many more like-titled examples of cinematic dementia delighted dozens in the grindhouse movie theaters of the sixties, seventies, and eighties. Now, for the second time ever, For One Week Only reveals the incredible truth behind the most manic movies ever made. Filled with interviews and rare illustrations, it captures the joys of a genre that has to be seen not to be believed. To avoid fainting, keep repeating: it's only a book ...!

Buy For One Week Only: The World of Exploitation Films

Only $12.99 at Amazon.com and all of your finer retailers!

Dark Comedy “Asylum Seekers” Coming to DVD in August


Breaking Glass Pictures will release director Rania Ajami’s debut film “Asylum Seekers” on DVD August 30 under the Vicious Circle Films label.  The surreal dark comedy depicts six strangers competing for admittance into a luxurious mental asylum where only one empty bed remains.

Buy Asylum Seekers on DVD

Movie Review: More Than Sisters


Probably one of the more interesting places to set the backdrop for a vintage fuck-film would have to be in a run-down mental hospital. Shaun Costello's, More Than Sisters takes full advantage of this very idea. Costello, the director of such porn classics as Dracula Exotica, That Lady From Rio, Fiona on Fire and of course, the incomparable Waterpower also takes on the role of John Bollinger, an unconfident guy with coke-bottle thick spectacles, whose very concerned for his wife, Susie Bollinger(Lynn Stevens). Susie seems to be flipping out because of an onslaught of sexually charged dreams. Leave it to Dr Allan Bannister (Jamie Gillis) to help rectify the situation with his own brand of medicine. This hospital , as you'd expect, isn't your average medical facility: The doctors fuck the nurses, the nurses straddle the patients, the patients suck off all of the above. No doubt, sexual healing is the best kind of "therapy".

Movie Review: Trailers From Hell Volume II (2011)


Joe Dante's had an interesting career. He started his 30 plus year journey in film by creating theatrical trailers for Roger Corman. This then brought him some directorial opportunities for some of finest genre films of all time (Gremlins, Piranha and The Howling). Dante's worked with the likes of Spielberg and Tom Hanks as well. Pretty impressive, I think. The director's never forgotten his roots and the films that made him what he is. If your not aware of Trailers from Hell, it's a website devoted to movie trailers mainly of the cult film variety with an interesting touch: Commentaries are played over each trailer by some of the best directors and writers in the game today. It's turned out to be quite a fun mix . The folks at Shout! Factory saw fit to compile 20 of these trailers on what is now the second volume of the series.

Buy Trailers From Hell! Vol. 2 on DVD

Movie Review: Lenny Bruce Without Tears (1972)

When you listen to Lenny Bruce today, most of his material doesn't make sense to the average person. It's not because the material is bad. Lenny was just topical, and daily life in the 1960s doesn't ring true to those of us born in the '70s or later. He mentions people in the news, films of the time and experiences that were common at that point in history. One thing that was always true about him was that even when he wasn't funny, he was interesting to listen to.

Buy Lenny Bruce Without Tears on DVD

Though this is billed as a documentary, Without Tears seems more like a compilation of performance clips and a long form interview with a few Behind the Music segments wedged in between. It's interesting to see the uncut segments from The Steve Allen Show, but it just seems like lazy filmmaking. The information about Lenny is interesting, but I could learn all of it in a ten minute conversation. It touches his legal troubles toward the end, but it relies again on a long segment from Lenny's performances. The bad part about it is that it's not in there to pad for time. The whole movie is just over an hour long.

June 24, 2011

80's Slashers "The Funhouse" and "Slaughter High" Debut on Blu-ray and DVD from Arrow Video this July!



The word ‘classic’ is certainly one that is overused, especially in respect to cinema, but in the case of Tobe Hooper’s memorable teen-slasher, The Funhouse, the term is definitely justified. Now, this highly regarded shocker is coming to Blu-ray for the first time in the UK, packed with extras and featuring a stunning, brand new transfer of the film in glorious High Definition.

Buy The Funhouse Blu-ray at Amazon UK

Reportedly the project that was responsible for Hooper having to turn down directing duties on ‘E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial’, The Funhouse is that rarest of cinematic treats - a genuinely fun and creepy horror film. From its inspired opening sequence that pays homage to both ‘Psycho’ and ‘Halloween’ in the same breath, to an excellent cast that includes Elizabeth Berridge (Amadeus), Shawn Carson (Something Wicked This Way Comes), Miles Chapin (The People Vs. Larry Flynt; Howard The Duck) and Wayne Doba (Scarface; Almost Famous; Monkeybone), along with cult favourites William Finley (Phantom Of The Paradise; The Fury; The Black Dahlia) and two-time Oscar nominee Sylvia Miles (Farewell My Lovely; Midnight Cowboy), and special make design by six-time Oscar winner Rick Baker (An American Werewolf In London), The Funhouse is an unmissable delight for horror fans.

Movie Reviews: Galaxina / The Crater Lake Monster (1980/1977, Blu-ray, Mill Creek)

Mill Creek releases two science fiction themed cheesers from the Crown International vault onto Blu-ray!

Buy Galaxina / Crater Lake Monster - Double Feature [Blu-ray]

Films

Galaxina

Police spaceship Infinity has been assigned by the Intergalactic Federation to uphold the law in the vast of outer space. The crew consists of the moronic Captain Cornelius Butt (get it! haha...ugh), pilot Sgt. Thor (Stephen Macht, Dad from Monster Squad), throwaway rag tag members and the titular android Galaxina (Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten). During a hyper sleep mission to a planet in possession of the Blue Star, Galaxina begins to fall for Thor after he professes his love for her. They arrive on the non-human friendly, western inspired planet where Galaxina is taken by a motorcycle worshiping cult (I can't make this up) leaving Thor and the crew on a rescue mission to bring her back. More than likely so Thor can have robot sex, cause that's cool.

Movie Review: The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! (2010)

 Drawn Together was easily one of the most creative cartoon ideas on the air. It was parody at its finest. I was sad to see it go after only three seasons, and I had to revisit the series to remind myself just how disturbed it really was. If you don't remember, it was a parody of shows like Big Brother and The Real World in which iconic cartoon character types would live together and be constantly filmed. It was crass and vulgar and entertaining as hell. I was overjoyed when I saw that a movie was made.

Buy The Drawn Together Movie: The Movie! [Blu-ray] or DVD
Buy Drawn Together - The Complete Series on DVD

After finishing off the last few episodes of the series, I started the movie. One thing I immediately noticed was a difference in the animation. It wasn't extremely different, but different enough to be a bit of a distraction for me. I'm sure people that had a gap of a few years between seeing the movie and the show wouldn't think much of it, but I did. It was especially noticeable with Princess Clara and Xandir. Thankfully the voice cast returned, and they were as good as always.

June 23, 2011

Live Like A Cop, Die Like A Man and Pasolini's Anger coming to DVD from Raro Video!



LOS ANGELES (June 23, 2011) – Referenced in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 2, Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man (1976) is one of the most violent, censored and unconventional Italian style detective films of its time. The credit goes to both the director Ruggero Deodato, extremely apt at telling stories in a strong tone (he made the infamous Cannibal Holocaust), and the scriptwriter Fernando di Leo, author of the best Italian noir films (Recently released in a DVD boxed set as The Fernando Di Leo Crime Collection – All four films will be available as individual breakouts on July 14 from RaroVideo). Above all, the psychological and behavioral description of the main characters, the two policemen, members of an anti-crime squad who have complete freedom in their actions against crime, had never been seen before. Not only do they not hesitate to brutally kill the criminals they are hunting down, but Alfredo (Marc Porel) and Antonio (Ray Lovelock) do so while maintaining a cynical and light-hearted attitude even in the most threatening situations.

Buy Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man on DVD

June 22, 2011

Movie Review: Wake Wood (2011, Blu-ray)

Hammer Films has been a glorious banner for some of the finest examples of horror films to come out of the UK for the past fifty plus years. Production has been dormant until recently with Hammer's newest offering, David Keating’s thriller, Wake Wood. Dark Sky Films and MPI are now producing Wake Wood for the home entertainment market in both Blu-ray and DVD incarnations of the recent shocker.

Buy Wake Wood [Blu-ray] or DVD

Anyone who is a parent knows that one of the absolute worst things that could happen to a family is the loss of a young child. Patrick and Louise ( Aidan Gillen and Eva Birthistle) experience this very thing when their daughter, Alice (Ella Connolly) is fatally mauled - in surprisingly graphic fashion - by a vicious mongrel patrolling the grounds of the veterinary hospital where Patrick works.

Movie Review: The Anniversary At Shallow Creek (2011)















By

Travis G.





First off what a terrible name for a horror movie. THE ANNIVERSARY AT SHALLOW CREEK does not make me think of fear or death. In fact it sounds like something my Grandma would watch while drinking Tea and eating cookies along with the film A ROOM WITH A VIEW. This independent horror film was apparently based on true events.


A man hoping to get away to his uncle’s place out in the mountainside for a romantic getaway decides to invite a few friends and turn it into a weekend of partying instead. However unknown to him is that the house previously was the scene of a double homicide. The next thing the party goers realize theirs a party pooper at the party the shape of a sniper wielding maniac who is intent on ventilating the guests heads.



The self proclaimed “slick homage to horror classics and a clever update of the genre that never leads exactly where the audience suspects” is actually quite the opposite as not only does this film not bring anything new to this genre but it’s annoyingly predictable. It’s not quite as simple as a Scooby Doo mystery but the majority of the time even the most casual viewer is knowing where every plot is heading. "Shadow" is not necessarily a boring film it just doesn’t offer anything new or interesting. I did like the killer sniper idea though. Some light gore, nothing special, a mild body count and some nice looking girls running around in their underwear caught my eye but nothing remotely close to satisfying my inner sleazehound.

I don’t hate this film as much as other people do but the thing is with there being already so many great horror films and homages out there it's possible shortly after the release of this film it may sink into cinematic obscurity where no one involved is going to remember or even care to remember.

June 21, 2011

New York Ripper Coming To Blu-ray June 27th From Shameless Screen Entertainment!



New York Ripper, director Lucio Fulci's (The Beyond; City Of The Living Dead) most notorious shocker, comes to Blu-ray on 27th June 2011 rebuilt with previously missing scenes that make it the longest and most complete version of the film ever seen in the UK. And, another first, the disc comes not in your usual run-of-the-mill Blu-ray case but in an eye-catching, Shameless Screen Entertainment exclusive, bright lemon “Yell-o-ray” case!

Buy New York Ripper Fan Edition Blu-ray or DVD at Amazon UK

June 20, 2011

Movie Review: Exposed



















To me there are three women that rank up as as the most prime female specimens to appear in front of the camera in exploitation films : Uschi Digard, Laura Gemser and Christina Lindberg. Digard and Gemser are amazingly beautiful sporting pretty opposite figures but Lindberg, my friends, is as close to the perfect woman you can get. Synpase Films' DVD release of Exposed, "exposes" all of this gorgeous lady's attributes (in uncut form, no less).

The stunning Swedish sexpot plays Lena, an adventurous young gal who just seems to run into one wild event after another. She eventually gets involved with some a vile womanizing dirtbag named Helge (played by remarkable Swedish character actor, Heinz Hopf). Helge wants to make Lena's life a living hell because he something embarassing dangling over her head in the form of nude photographs. This is classic Lindberg, including copious amounts of flesh thankfully supplied by the beauty and an aroma of sleaze that brings director Gustav Wiklund movie to a place other films don't dare.

Synapse Films has included some very cool extras :

- All-New Featurette with Actress Christina Lindberg
- Two Music Tracks from Christina Lindberg
- Still Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer

Exposed contains English subtitles and is includes its original Swedish language. It looks and sounds very good. The color and detail is there. Naturally there are some small blemishes on the element but overall it's a fine release.


More than any genre company, Synapse has stepped up to the plate to deliver some excellent Swedish cinema releases. Exposed is no different and is essential for any fan of Lindberg.

Movie Review: Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965)

Everybody loves an underdog. Hell, an underdog story is one of the most used kinds of narratives in film. Being a lumpy fellow, I've always enjoyed following some of the other lumpy underdogs in entertainment history. Porn star Ron Jeremy and wrestling legend Mick Foley are perfect examples of guys with 40 plus inch waists and decent size guts that have transcended both of their forms of entertainment. One colossal heavyweight of the rubber-monster world that belongs in this company is Noriaki Yuasa's Gamera. He's not as fast as Mothra and he lacks Godzilla's abs and matinee good looks ; what he does have though is devastating fire-breathing skills. Shout! Factory obviously loves underdogs. They certainly showed it with their release of the iconic 80's television underdog, Webster. Gamera has now finally gotten some tender-loving care via the cult film and pop-culture DVD pros at Shout!.

Buy Gamera: The Giant Monster on DVD

Movie Review: Dawning (2009)

By Travis G.

Director: Gregg Holtgrewe

Director Gregg Holtgrewe manages to scrape up some more funds to remake one of his previous films in Breaking Glass Pictures' release of Dawning. Two siblings head out to the woods in Minnesota to visit their dad and their step mom. Right from the beginning the films sets ups that that not everything is rosey and chipper with this family. It doesn’t take long for family tensions mount. If that wasn’t bad enough they realize something more sinister is at work outside the house that makes the families personal demons look like poofy poodles.

Buy Dawning [Blu-Ray] or DVD

June 19, 2011

Six Degrees of Cheese: Dads You Didn't Know Were Great

When we think about great dads in television and movies, we usually go for the obvious. Cliff Huxtible and Ozzie Nelson rank high on the small screen, and you might think about Mufasa or Mr. Mom at the movies. I started to think about the dads that don't get much credit. If I really wanted to pick a top movie dad, that would be easy. It would be David Bagby from Dear Zachary. That guy is hands down the best father and grandfather I've ever seen in a movie. That being said, I decided to leave the documentaries out and stick to fiction. Otherwise, it just wouldn't be fair.



TV #6: CAMERON AND MITCHELL - MODERN FAMILY

These dads represent a variation of the American family that hasn't been shown on TV before. They can overdo it at times, but many first-time parents do. The thing about these two is that not only do they care about their daughter, but they adopted a kid who didn't have a home. That's always impressive.

Buy Modern Family on DVD


MOVIE #6: DANIEL HILLARD - MRS. DOUBTFIRE

Talk about going to extremes to be with your kids. After facing horrible treatment by the family court system (big shocker), Daniel Hillard doesn't know what to do. With the help of his brother, he creates an alter ego and is hired as his ex-wife's maid. Funny that she has a maid while he lives in a tiny barely furnished apartment. Good thing for those much needed alimony and child support payments. Yeeeeeah.

Buy Mrs. Doubtfire [Blu-ray] or DVD

Movie Review: Revenge (1964)


Takahiro Imai is not as well known in the west as Kurosawa, Ozu, Mitzoguchi, or any number of critically respected Japanese directors. That is a shame, and may have much to do with his well-publicized Marxist leanings. But polemics aside, and no matter where you stand politically, the fact is he was a master story teller with a great passion for social justice. I am very grateful for AnimEigo for releasing some of his most important works in beautiful subtitled editions. The latest I've seen is 1964's REVENGE (ADAUCHI), which is an unflinching and unsentimental indictment of the futility of revenge, and a powerful condemnation of any system which expects the individual to sacrifice his life and soul for a rigid code of conduct. It is beautiful to look at, masterfully suspenseful, and gut-wrenchingly powerful.

Buy Revenge on DVD

June 18, 2011

The Puppet Monster Massacre Coming to DVD on July 26


This is The Puppet Monster Massacre, a wild and raucous love letter to the monster films of the glorious 1980's. Heads will roll and felt will fly in this visually rich splatter-fest.

Buy Puppet Monster Massacre on DVD

SYNOPSIS: A group of teens are challenged to spend a night in the Wagner mansion on the edge of town. Little do they know the owner (Dr. Wolfgang Wagner) has concocted a monstrosity in the basement and plans to make the hapless teens the creature's first big meal.

June 17, 2011

Movie Review: Wisconsin Project X (2011)

I seem to be on a little bit of a zombie run here. I recently reviewed The Horde, and sung its praises for being different from the usual zombie flick. Then I come across Wisconsin Project X, which does all of the things that The Horde doesn't. An early scene explains that all of the zombies are modified humans that are part of a failed science experiment. Once they hit the streets, a ragtag bunch has to take them down with coffee. Yes, coffee. That's not really the worst of it, but it is the one original part of this movie.

Buy Wisconsin Project X on DVD