DVD Review: CAMILLE 2000 - Extended Version (1969)

CAMILLE 2000 (1969)

Extended Version DVD

LABEL: Cult Epics
DURATION: 131Minutes
REGION CODE: ALL
RATING: Unrated
VIDEO: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
AUDIO: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
DIRECTOR: Radley Metzger
CAST: Daniele Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo, Eleonora Rossi Drago
TAGLINE: The "NOW" Child

In CAMILLE 2000 the gorgeous French actress (Daniel Gaubert, SNOW JOB) portrays Marguerite, a promiscuous libertine kept in riches by a wealthy man. She's well-known for having multiple lovers and hosting a string of orgiastic parties in her luxurious villa. Her promiscuous lifestyle however falls into disarray when she finds herself smitten with a handsome bachelor named Armand (Nino Castelnuova, STRIP NUDE FOR YOUR KILLER), who insists on fidelity in their relationship. Despite her feelings for Armand the tart finds it difficult to maintain her fidelity, at the same time Armand's meddling father disapproves of the relationship and throws a wrench into the love works which threatens to destroy the lovers.

Of what I've seen of Radley Metzger films the director in my eyes is the undisputed master of the erotic arthouse cinema. A director who could have effortlessly infiltrated the mainstream cinema had it been his inclination. His cinematic style, while at times experimental and arthouse, seems compatible with the late-60's and early-70's sex comedies, thrillers and romantic dramas and never more so than with his adaptation of Alexandre Dumas Fils' novel Lady of the Camellias, CAMILLE 2000. More a sensuous melodrama than lusty erotica, at it's heart this a tale of doomed lovers set against late-60's high society and wealthy libertines with a most excellent lounge-lizard score from composer Peiro Piccioni. The film is the most stylish and visually lavish Metzger production I've seen, courtesy of Enrico Sabbatini's stylish art decoration and some sweet lensing from cinematographer Ennio Guarnieri (THE GARDEN OF THE FINZI CONTINI).

I came to know Metzger's films through the erotically charged SCORE (1974) and sadomasochistic luridness of THE IMAGE (1975) and I was a bit perplexed by the comparative lack of sexual voracity found here. It's likely that I'm just a pervert but this is not what I've come to expect from Metzger. CAMILLE 2000 is much more refined, more classical in it's approach, though skewed by eroticism. There is sex, but it's lacking charisma and the languid pace and relative chasteness of the film left me wanting. Perhaps this is indicative of the extended cut of this film or symptomatic of Metzger's earlier films which I've not been able to explore as of yet.

Much in the way that Dario Argento is criticized for his style over substance approach to filmmaking I think the same could be applied to CAMILLE 2000. French femme Gaubert is stunning, a true beauty, but I found both her and co-star Castelnuovo coldly detached in their performances, there's no sense of real intimacy and the characters felt distant to me. The film is dubbed so I guess that could be a symptom of the process, I'm not sure. Whatever the reason the passion of the film didn't connect with me but on a purely visual level the film is quite attractive. Metzger and Sabbatini are meticulous in their set decoration, art direction and shot composition, it's captivating stuff and it looks great, but the two leads, though alluring, do not  exactly burn down the screen with passionate performances. 


DVD: Cult Epics 2011 transfer of CAMILLE 2000 was made using the original 35mm negative with additional scenes being sourced from a 35mm interposit print. Sound and image have been restored to remove scratches and splice marks though according to the restoration featurette no noise reduction or edge enhancement was applied to the film in order to maintain it's film-like qualities, as such there is a good amount of grain in the image as well as white specks. Noise reduction has been applied to the audio which was sourced from a 35mm optical print to remove hiss, crackle and pops.

The film is presented in it's original scope aspect ratio of 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. Audio options include the English Dolby Digital mono audio and a commentary track, there are no subtitle options. This marks my first home viewing of Metzger's films on standard definition DVD, previous films were screened on Blu-ray and this presentation   certainly lacks the clarity and depth of a 1080p presentation but it fares quite well, particularly when compared to the pre-restoration demo shots. The colors are strong, the film's grain structure is nicely intact (which I love) and the black levels are quite good. Likewise the mono audio while lacking depth is free of snap, crackle and pop. The dialogue is clear and consistent while the 60's lounge score sounds fantastic.

Cult Epics have given this release a wonderful selection of special features beginning with an audio commentary from Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen. It's a pleasant listen with loads of production notes and anecdotal bits as the director discusses his place in cinema, working abroad and the critical reception of his films. On the Set of Camille 2000 (20:05) is comprised of film clips and hand-held behind-the-scenes footage, it's an informative watch as Metzger's narration supplies a steady stream of trivia, and includes footage from the film's wrap-party plus a few shots of a scene between Marguerite and Armand's father on a beach, the weather not cooperating that day the scene was scrapped. I love these kind of intimate and voyeuristic featurettes, very cool. Restoration of Camille 2000 (6:24) is a before and after restoration demo of the film, it speaks for itself and to the integrity of the restoration. Sylviane's Bare Striptease Scene (2:48) features a completely off-the-wall striptease cut from the film and shot hand-held, odd and awesome. Finishing off the disc are a subdued alternate take of the 'Cube Love Scene' and anamorphic trailers for Metzger's SCORE, LICKERISH QUARTET and CAMILLE 2000. A great selection of supplemental materials that compliment the viewing of the film, good stuff all around.  The film is available from Cult Epics in separate edition of both the theatrical and extended versions on DVD and Blu-ray. Oddly, the Blu-ray does not offer both versions on the same disc via seamless branching, which would have been fantastic.  

Before/After Restoration demo Screen Grabs

SPECIAL FEATURES:
- On the Set of Camille 2000 (20:35) 16x9
- Restoration of Camille 2000 (6:24) 16x9
- Sylviane's Bare Striptease Scene (2:48) 16x9
- Cube Love Scene (1:52) 16x9
- Audio Commentary with Radley Metzger and film historian Daniel Bowen
- Trailers: SCORE (3:38) 16x9, THE LICKERISH QUARTET (2:46) 16x9, CAMILLE 2000 (2:17) 16x9


VERDICT: Honestly when I come to a Radley Metzger film I'm looking for some arty erotica and I found that the lustier elements of CAMILLE 2000 had been overtaken by some admittedly spectacular art design. Perhaps a bit disappointing on that pervy level but still a sensual viewing experience with Metzger's distinct arthouse stamp. A recommend with the caveat that I wouldn't pass up THE IMAGE or SCORE if it came down to a choice amongst the three. Either way, a must-have for Metzger completest, it's been a fantastic year with no less than four of his titles coming to Blu-ray in remastered editions.   

Blu-ray Review: CAMILLE 2000 (1969)

CAMILLE 2000 (1969)

Blu-ray + DVD Special Edition 

Label: Arrow Video  
Duration: 131 Minutes 
Region Code: ALL
Rating: 18 Certificate
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio: PCM Mono 2.0 Stereo with Optional English SDH Sutitles
Director: Radley Metzger
Cast: Daniele Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo, Eleonora Rossi Drago 
Tagline: The "NOW" Child

Synopsis: When Marguerite, a promiscuous woman (Daniel Gaubert, Snow Job) with a troubled past and a deep distrust of men meets Armand (Nino Castelnuova, Strip Nude for Your Killer), she lets her guard down and falls in love. But can they resist old habits and latent emotions in order to stay together? Find out in this visual, sensual cinematic feast of multiple sexual partners, from the director of Score and The Opening Of Misty Beethoven.

Radley Metzger in my eyes is the undisputed master of the erotic arthouse cinema, easily a director who could have effortlessly infiltrated the mainstream cinema had it been his inclination. His cinematic style, while at times experimental and arthouse, seems compatible with the late-60's and early-70's sex comedies, thrillers and romantic dramas and never more so than with his adaptation of Alexandre Dumas Fils' novel Lady of the Camellias, Camille 2000 (1969). More a sensuous melodrama than lusty erotica, at it's heart this a tale of doomed lovers set against late-60's high society and wealthy libertines with a most excellent lounge-lizard score from composer Peiro Piccioni. The film is the most stylish and visually lavish Metzger production I've seen, courtesy of Enrico Sabbatini's stylish art decoration and some sweet lensing from cinematographer Ennio Guarnieri (The Garden of Finzo Contini).

I came to know Metzger's films through the erotically charged Score (1974) and sadomasochistic luridness of The Image (1975) and I was a bit perplexed by the comparative lack of sexual voracity found here. It's likely that I'm just a pervert but this is not what I've come to expect from Metzger. Camille 2000 is much more refined, more classical romance in it's approach, though skewed by eroticism. There is sex, but it's lacking charisma and the languid pace and relative chasteness of the film left me wanting. Perhaps this is indicative of the extended cut of this film or symptomatic of Metzger's earlier films which I've not been able to explore as of yet.

Much in the way that Dario Argento is criticized for his style over substance approach to filmmaking I think the same could be applied to Camille 2000. The French femme Gaubert is simply stunning, a true classical beauty, but I found both her and co-star Castelnuovo coldly detached in their performances, there's no sense of real intimacy and the characters feel distant throughout. The film is English language dubbed so I guess that could be a symptom of the process, I'm not sure. Whatever the reason the passion of the film didn't connect with me but on a purely visual level the film is quite an attractive entry. Metzger and Sabbatini are meticulous in their set decoration, art direction and shot composition, it's captivating stuff and it looks great, but the two leads, though alluring, do not  exactly burn down the screen with passion, it's a smoldering arthouse entry but it never quite ignited the carnal passion I was hoping it would.

Blu-ray: Up front just be aware that Arrow's special edition is derived from the same HD master as Cult Epics Extended Version (2010) and features identical supplemental materials. The transfer of Camille 2000 was made using the original 35mm negative with additional scenes being sourced from a 35mm interposit print. Sound and image have been restored to remove scratches and splice marks though according to the restoration featurette no noise reduction or edge enhancement was applied to the film in order to maintain it's film-like qualities, as such there is a good amount of grain in the image as well as white specks. Noise reduction has been applied to the audio which was sourced from a 35mm optical print to remove hiss, crackle and pops.

The film is presented in it's original scope aspect ratio of 2.35:1 widescreen with an MPEG-4 AVC encode and the 1080p transfer benefits from improved clarity and more vibrant colors over my Cult Epic DVD, the black levels are quite good and there's a nice layer of film grain present, great stuff. The lone audio option is an English LPCM 2.0.  mono audio track, with optional English SDH subtitles which my Cult Epics DVD had none.  The Blu-ray's lossless mono audio while lacking much dynamic range does get a boost in depth and clarity  it's track is free of snap, crackle and pop leaving the dialogue clear and consistent, Piero Piccioni's 60's psychedelic-lounge score sounds truly fantastic, too.

Mirroring Cult Epics array of extras om the Extended Version (2010) we get a wonderful selection of special features beginning with an audio commentary from Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen. It's a pleasant listen with loads of production notes and anecdotal bits as the director discusses his place in cinema, working abroad and the critical reception of his films. On the Set of Camille 2000 (30:36) is comprised of film clips and hand-held behind-the-scenes footage, it's an informative watch as Metzger's narration supplies a steady stream of trivia, and includes footage from the film's wrap-party plus a few shots of a scene between Marguerite and Armand's father on a beach, the weather not cooperating that day the scene was scrapped. I love these kind of intimate and voyeuristic featurettes, very cool. Restoration of Camille 2000 (6:24) is a before and after restoration demo of the film, it speaks for itself and to the integrity of the restoration. Sylviane's Bare Striptease Scene (2:48) features a completely off-the-wall striptease cut from the film and shot hand-held, odd and awesome. Finishing off the disc are a subdued alternate take of the 'Cube Love Scene' and widescreen trailers for Metzger's Score, The Lickerish Quartet and Camille 2000. The screener I was sent did not include the the reversible artwork or the Collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Robin Bougie but just the same this is a great selection of supplemental materials that compliment the viewing of the film, good stuff all around and the ephemeral packaging extras put this right above the Cult Epics Blu-ray as the edition of choice, remember it's region-FREE and playable throughout the world. . 

Before/After Restoration Demo Shot

Special Features: 
- High Definition Blu-ray and Standard Definition DVD Presentation
- Brand new high definition restoration of the extended cut – available for the first time in the UK
- Optional English SDH subtitles
- Audio commentary with director Radley Metzger and film historian Michael Bowen
- On the set of Camille 2000 – featuring stars Daniele Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo and Radley Metzger (30:36) 16:9
- Sylviana’s Bare Striptease – previously cut scene from the feature (2:48) 16:9 
- Cube Love Scene – A newly discovered alternate take (1:52) 16:9 
- Restoration Comparison (6:24) 16:9
- Score Trailer (3:38) 16:9
- The Lickerish Quartet (2:46) 16:9
- Camille 2000 (2:17) 16:9 
- Reversible Artwork featuring original and newly illustrated art by The Red Dress
- Collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Robin Bougie

Verdict: Watching Camille 2000 (1969) for the second time, and in 1080p, I must say I found this tragic slice of erotica a bit more satisfying the second time around a few years later. When I first took it in after recent viewings of Metzger's Score (1972) and The Image (1975) I was a bit disappointed, that pervy part of my reptilian brain yearned for more visceral, raw carnal exploitation, I felt the film's erotic elements had been overtaken by some spectacular art design and outrageous 60's fashions and lacked the dark and satisfying erotic pleasures of Score. At that time I recommended the film with the caveat that I wouldn't pass up either The Image or Score if it came down to a choice between the trio and I maintain that opinion while giving the film a bit more love today. Either way, Arrow's Blu-ray is a must-have for Metzger completest, a sensual and erotic feast of mod 60's artiness and bare skin beauty. 3.5 Outta 5 

  

Cult Epics release extended edition of Radley Metzger's CAMILLE 2000 on Blu-ray

Cult Epics have announced the release of Radley Metzger's Camille 2000 (1969) in a never-before-seen extended edition that includes 30 minutes of additional scenes and an array of bonus content. This comes right after their release of Metzger's The Lickerish Quartet (1970) and  Score (1974). It's been a fantastic year for the erotic master's films with a trio of Cult Epics releases as well as Synapse Films edition of The Image (1975) which arrives also arrives on June 14th 2011.

CAMILLE 2000 (1969)

Extended Version DVD/Blu-ray

Label: Cult EpicsRelease Date: June 14th 2011
Duration: 129 Minutes
Region Code: ALL
Rating: Unrated
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 (16:9)
Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Director: Radley Metzger
Starring: Daniele Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo, Eleonora Rossi Drago


SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Never Released Before Extended Version - 30 minutes of additional scenes.
- New Restored High-definition Transfer
- On the Set of Camille 2000, Restoration of Camille 2000 - a 30 minute featurette with actors Daniele Gaubert, Nino Castelnuovo and director Radley Metzger.
- Restoration of Camille 2000 - before and after comparison.
- Syviane's Bare Striptease
- Cube Love Scene
- Audio Commentary Track
- Trailers


SYNOPSIS: A child of the sixties sexual revolution, beautiful, sensuous Marguerite (Daniel Gaubert) is addicted to sex and money. She is kept by a wealthy man, has a string of young lovers and hosts wild orgies in her luxurious villa. When she falls in love with the handsome bachelor Armand (Nino Castelnuova), he insists on absolute fidelity. Known by her reputation, Armand's controlling father soon intervenes, triggering a tragic turn of events. From Radley Metzger, the essential director of elegant erotic arthouse, comes the dazzling new 2000 version of Alexandre Dumas "The Lady of the Camellias."

DVD Review: Sella Turcica (2010)

SELLA TURCICA (2010)
"For Brad The War is Over... For His Family It's Just Begun"
TOETAG INC

RATED: Unrated
RUNNING TIME: 105 Min.
DIRECTOR: Fred Vogel
CAST: Damien Maruscak (Sgt. Bradkey), Camille Keaton (Karmen), Jade Risser, Sean P. McCarthy (Bruce), Allie Nickel, Sarah Thornton

PLOT SYNOPSIS: Sgt. Bradley Robak (Damien Maruscak) returns home from active duty after a mysterious accident leaves him paralyzed and wheelchair bound. Awaiting his return, his mother, Karmen (Camille Keaton) and younger sister, Ashley(Jade Risser) remain unaware of the details of the accident and severity of Brad's condition. Once he arrives, though he looks sickly, his family members are so pleased to see him alive that they don't bring attention to his ill appearance. Over the next twenty-six hours Brad's condition terribly worsens, barreling down to a gruesome conclusion that will change the family forever.

FILM: Karmen (Camille Keaton, I Spit On Your Grave) and her family are anxiously awaiting the return of her son Bradley (Damien Marusack, Murder Collection v.1) who is returning home after serving his country in the Gulf War. Bradley's been paralyzed from the waist down following a mysterious accident and is now wheelchair bound. Brad arrives and it's apparent right away that he just isn't "right", something is off about the young man. It could be post-traumatic stress or any number of battle fatigue ailments, but it's seems to be more than that. The wheelchair bound Sgt. is sickly-ill, his skin is discolored and he's mentally frail.  Mom and sister Ashley (Jade Risser, Murder, Set,Pieces) are happy to have him back but it's a difficult and awkward situation. Everyone wants to know what happened and he tells them he just can't recall any details. It's his brother Bruce (Sean P. McCarthy) whom he finally confides in regarding the strange and mysterious circumstances of the incident. But even this explanation omits any true revelation and only serves to further shroud the incident in intrigue. The scenes between Bradley and his brother are handled quite well. You can feel the strain between them as they try to reconnect and relate to each other but it does not come easy. Bradley is suffering terribly, though her tries his best to hide this from his family. He has an excruciating pain in his head and he is leaking a mysterious black liquid from his ears which he tries to conceal by stuffing his ears with cotton balls. Loud piercing sounds agitate him but despite the pain and irritability Brad does his best to put on a brave face for his family not wanting them to worry them. He seems to be in a bit of denial in regards to the severity of his illness.  He sequesters himself in his room for the most part. No one seems willing to break the facade of normalcy to address his condition.

  
The acting in the film is very good and the characters are well defined and developed. I've not seen Camille Keaton in a film  since the rape-revenge exploitation flick I Spit on Your Grave (1978) and it was great to see her stretching her acting chops as the mother. The supporting roles from Jade Risser and Sean P. McCarthy as Brad's siblings are also good but it is Damien Maruscak's stand-out lead performance as Sgt. Bradley Robak that steals the show here. His performance is tense and uneasy and you can feel his suffering as his illness progresses. It's a very physical performance, one I'll be talking about for a while. It makes the film in my opinion.

Eventually things spiral out of control and the film reaches it's explosive climax. I don't want to spoil it but I will say it is a bloody and fucked-up finale. The violence is shocking and the gore is fantastic. Not even the family dog Fulci is safe! Nice nod to Italian gore maestro Lucio Fulci there by the way. I think the film may feel a tad slow as the tension builds from an uneasy homecoming to the aforementioned gore-filled finale but it is deliberately paced by design and with purpose.

DVD: Sella Turcica is presented in anamorphic wide screen with good image quality, it appears soft in a few places but otherwise no complaints. The DVD is pretty well-stocked in the special features department. An informative commentary from the director and star, a couple of featurettes chronicling co-star Sean P. McCarthy's tattooing of cast & crew during filming plus an 8 minute behind the scenes look at the special effects work that went into the death of Fulci. We also get deleted scenes and outtakes, and two photo montages from the set and a trailer gallery.

• Commentary with director Fred Vogel and Damien Maruscak (1:45:00)
• Deleted Scenes (1:41)
• Behind the Scenes Photos (5:10)
• Making of Fulci's Death (7:57)
• Outtakes (2:01 min)
• On Set Photos (3:34)
• Tattoos On Set (1:32)
• Trailers
• Sella Turcica (2:14)
• Murder Collection V.2 (2:47)
• Latex Autopsy (1:37)
• August Underground Collection (1:06)

VERDICT:  This is my first time viewing a TOETAG INC production. I've heard a lot of chatter about 'em, not always good, usually indicating the extreme nature of the films as overly shocking and violent. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Sella Turcica. It's a tense and well-acted dramatic story about a family trying so desperately to hold onto the appearance of normalcy for the sake of a family member that they turn a blind eye to the white elephant in the room until it blows great bloody chunks in their faces. I can't wait to explore more Toetag Inc and Fred Vogel productions. Good stuff.
**** (4 out of 5 stars)

- McBASTARD

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? (1972) (Arrow Blu-ray Review)

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE? 

Label: Arrow Video 
Region: A/B/1/2
Rating: 18
Duration: 107 Minutes
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.35:1)
Audio: English DTS-HD MA MONO 1.0 with Optional english SDH Subtitles 
Director:  Massimo Dallamano
Cast: Fabio Testi, Cristina Galbó, Camille Keaton, Karin Baal

Massimo Dallamano's seminal Italian whodunit What Have You Done to Solange? is based in London as we follow the exploits of a teacher named Henry Rossini (Fabio Testi) who is carrying-on a lustful courtship with one of his teenage students, a young Catholic school girl named Elizabeth (Cristina Galbo). One day while cavorting with amorous Henry at the park the young woman witnesses a murder of another young woman, but Henry does not believe her, that is until she becomes the next victim. Henry is put in an awkward position when his affair with the student is exposed during the investigation, and it just so happens that his wife Herta (Karin Baal) is also on the teaching staff at the very same school, uh-oh.  Strangely, after his young lover is murdered, his troubled marriage seems to grow stronger as Henry begins to sleuth around for the truth about the murderer who is targeting young women at the Catholic school. 

Fabio Testi comes across as a likable enough guy considering he's a married man with a penchant for lusting after teen women, which helps keep you rotting for him I guess. What he discovers after a bit of prolonged amateur detective work is a shocker, as it the brutal way the killer dispatches women, which is sort of the trademark of the movie, the shocking signature of the killer, which is almost comically enhanced by a traumatic x-ray which pops up. However, in between scenes of sleuthing and sadistic murder there's a good bit of paciness to the proceedings. This one has all the style of a classic Italian '70s whodunit and some decent suspense, but may prove to be too much of a slow-burn for a modern audience, however, for myself I found it quite pleasant viewing all the way around. 

Strangely this titular character does not come into play for quite some time, she's a pivotal player though, be patient and wait for it. Enduring the slow-burn nature of this nasty whodunit will payoff with a proper shocker at the end, at the heart of which is the loss of childhood innocence under appropriately sleazy circumstances. 

Fans of giallo cinema should delight in this stylish entry, one with all the proper whodunit watermarks including a black gloved killer, voyeurism, an amateur detective who is also a suspect, some stylish cinematography and a gorgeous score from Ennio Morricone. The performances are uniformly strong, particularly Fabio Testi and Cristina Galbo as the troubled couple, they beach have a wonderful presence onscreen. Keep your eyes peeled for a pre I Spit on Your Grave appearance from Camille Keaton, too. 

Audio/Video: Arrow Video bring this much sought after Giallo movie to the masses in both North America and Europe with a dual-coded region A/B release, the movie benefits from a brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative. Free of any notable print damage, offering a pleasingly crisp image with an abundance of natural film grain with nice depth and clarity to the image. Skin tones come across natural and the colors are nicely saturated, this is a winner of a transfer. Audio chores are nicely handled by an English DTS-HD MA MONO 1.0 track with Optional English SDH Subtitles, the lush Ennio Morricone score sounds superb, dialogue and effects come through clean and nicely balanced in the mix. 

Arrow Video have included some sweet extras including a brand new audio commentary with get a wonderful new audio commentary with horror authors Alan Jones and Kim Newman who are always a delight and seem to be having a great chat about this movie. when it comes to commentaries I will typically eat anything these two do with a spoon, and this one is no different. 

Additionally there are new video interviews with  actors Karin Baal, Fabio Testi and producer Fulvio Lucisano who reminisce about their experiences making the movie. Of note is the half-hour video essay Innocence Lost: Solange and the “Schoolgirls in Peril” Trilogy by Michael Mackenzie which explores not just Solange, but the following sequels, be aware this is not a spoiler-free extra. Lastly we have a trailer for the movie. 

I was send a "check  disc" for review that does not include a sleeve or booklet, but you good folks who seek this release out will also benefit from a sleeve of reversible artwork with original and newly commissioned artwork by Malleusand plus a new booklet with an article on the giallo scores of Ennio Morricone by Howard Hughes, alongside a Camille Keaton career retrospective from Art Ettinger, comprising interview excerpts with the Solange actress, all illustrated with original archive stills and posters. 

Special Features: 
- Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
- Original Italian and English soundtracks in mono audio
- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
- Brand new audio commentary with critics Alan Jones and Kim Newman
- What Have You Done to Decency? A conversation with Karin Baal – the actress shares her thoughts on Dallamano’s classic giallo in this brand new interview (14 Mins) 
First Action Hero – a newly-edited 2006 interview with actor and former stuntman Fabio Testi, including a look at his role in Solange (21 Mins) 
- Old-School Producer – a newly-edited 2006 interview with producer Fulvio Lucisano (11 Mins) 
- Innocence Lost: Solange and the “Schoolgirls in Peril” Trilogy – a brand new visual essay by Michael Mackenzie, exploring the themes of Solange and its two semi-sequels (29 Mins) 
- Original theatrical trailer (3 Mins) 
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Malleus
- Collector’s booklet featuring a new article on the giallo scores of Ennio Morricone by Howard Hughes, alongside a Camille Keaton career retrospective from Art Ettinger, comprising interview excerpts with the Solange actress, all illustrated with original archive stills and posters

I have waited years to watch What Have You done to Solange?,  the formerly high-priced and out-of-print Shriek show edition kept me away, I am glad I withheld from purchase till now, to be able enjoy the wonderful new 2K transfer from Arrow Video with some quality extras. A high recommend, a stylish and suspenseful whodunit, with a particularly brutal signature murder-move. 4/5

THE EPITAPH VOL. 48 - ANOTHER SIX-PACK EDITION: SEANCE (2021) - THE SHOW (2021) - CRY MACHO (2021) - THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK (2021) - I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE: DEJA VU (2018) - RICK AND MORTY: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (2021)

THE EPITAPH VOL. 48 - ANOTHER SIX-PACK EDITION

SEANCE (2021) - THE SHOW (2021) - CRY MACHO (2021) - THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK (2021) - I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE: DEJA VU (2018) - RICK AND MORTY: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (2021) 

SEANCE (2021) 

Label: Acorn Media International

Region Code: Region-Free

Rating: Cert. 15

Duration: 93 Minutes 

Audio: English DTS-HD MA with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.39:1) 

Director: Simon Barrett

Cast: Suki Waterhouse,  Madisen Beaty, Ella-Rae Smith, Inanna Sarkis, Seamus Patterson.

The Shudder Original flick Séance (2021) is the feature-film directing debut of screenwriter Simon Barrett ( You’re Next, Orphan, The Guest), it's a could be supernatural slasher set in the prestigious Edelvine Academy for Girls, where Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation, Insurgent) plays Camille Meadows, the new girl who while trying to fit in with the cool-kids gets caught up in a late-night ritual to summon the spirit of a dead former student who supposedly killed herself and is said to haunt the school halls, and then bodies start piling up. It's bit formulaic and lethargic at points, but this school-set slasher is a decent genre mash-up that with a solid set-up that doesn't stick the landing, but still manages to be quite entertaining if not a homerun. 

Special Features:
- Director Audio Commentary
- Behind-the-Scenes
- Outtakes
- Deleted Scenes and more

THE SHOW (2021) 

Label: Shout! Factory

Region Code: A

Rating: Unrated

Duration: 116 Minutes

Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo and 5.1 Surround with Optional English Subtitles

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.39:1) 

Directors: Mitch Jenkins 

Cast: Tom Burke, Siobhan Hewlett, Ellie Bamber, Sheila Atim, Christopher Fairbank, Alan Moore 

Coming from the mind of legendary graphic novel writer Alan Moore (The Dark Knight Returns, Watchmen) and directed by Mitch Jenkins the film The Show features an enigmatic private eye cum hit man named Fletcher Dennis (Burke) who arrives in the town of Northampton, having been hired by gangster Bleaker (Christopher Fairbank) in search of a man who apparently murdered the gangster's daughter. However, Fletcher seems more interested in a Rosicrucian Maltese Cross said to be in the man's possession for his own reasons. The village inhabitants Fletcher encounters during his stay are a strange bunch, we have a myriad of weirdoes including kid P.I.'s, vampires, masked avengers and reality bending magicians (one played by Moore himself), and it all ads up to a movie that feels like it should be an entry point to a larger series along the lines of Twin Peaks. I loved how weird and off0kilter it is but when the credits started rolling i found I wasn't very satisfied, but still curious and full of questions that were never answered, which has me intrigued, but also a bit perturbed as well. 

Special Features:

- Welcome to The Show featurette, including exclusive interviews with Alan Moore and Mitch Jenkins.

- Show Pieces Original Short Films

- Trailer

CRY MACHO (2021)

Label: WBHE

Region Code: A

Rating: PG-13

Duration: 104 Minutes

Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 100p HD Widescreen 

Director: Clint Eastwood

Cast:  Clint Eastwood, Eduardo Minett, Natalia Traven, Dwight Yoakam

In Cry Macho Clint Eastwood plays a washed-up rodeo star named Mike Milo whose ex-boss (Dwight Yoakam) tasks him with traveling to Mexico to bring the man’s estranged teen son (Eduardo Minett). His journey takes him to the dusty  backroads where he meets challenges that threaten to derail the quest, including the stubbornness of the young teen (and his beloved pet cockfighting chicken) and his manipulative mother's unwillingness to let him go. Not the best Eastwood movie my a long shot but still a solid film that is pretty entertaining in a charming and sleepy sort of way. In his 90's Eastwood still has the directing and acting chops to keep me entertained, the story itself might not be the most enthralling but it's a solid watch and the quaint courtship between Eastwood and the proprietor of a cantina (Natalia Traven) brought a smile to my face.

Special Features: 

- Back In The Saddle: The Making Of Cry MachoMacho And The Mustangs

THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK (2021) 

Label: WBHE

Region Code: A
Rating: R

Duration: 120 Minutes

Audio: English Dolby Atmos, TrueHD with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen 

Director: Alan Taylor 

Cast: Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Berntha, Corey Stoll, Michael Gandolfini, Billy Magnussen, Michela De Rossi, John Magaro, Ray Liotta, Vera Farmiga

A prequel film to the wildly popular HBO series The Sopranos is a tough task, even when it involves the series creator David Chase, who seems to love defying expectation. The focus of it is not young Anthony Soprano (played by a pretty great Michael Gandolfini) but on his uncle whom he he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti (Alessandro Nivola), the father of the doomed Christopher Moltisanti. The best stuff here is seeing the building blocks of what would come in the Sopranos, with some fantastic casting choices. Highlights for me are the younger Uncle Junior (Corey Stoll) and Vera Farmiga as Tony's mom, who reminded me so much of Tony's future wife Carmella, which makes sense. We also get to see the younger version of Tony's future crew Pussy and Silvio. It definitely was not what I was expecting but re-watching it I was pretty happy with what we got, and I sort of wished this was a secret backdoor pilot to a yet unannounced prequel series, which I would definitely watch, unapologetically. 

Special Features:

- Making Of Newark

- Sopranos Family Honor

- Deleted Scenes

I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE DEJA VU (2018) 

Label: Ronin Flix 

Region Code: A

Rating: Unrated

Duration: 148 Minutes

Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround with Optional English Subtitles

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (2.39:1) 

Director: Meir Zarchi

Cast: Camille Keaton, Jamie Bernadette, Maria Olsen, Jim Tavare, Jonathan Peacy, Jeremy Ferdman, Roy Allen, Alexandra Kenworthy

Forty years after the seminal 1978 rape-revenger I Spit On Your Grave shocked the world star Camille Keaton (What Have You Done to Solange?) and original director Meir Zarchi, I Spit On Your Grave: Déjà vu reunited to well, spit on the grave of the original in my opinion. This is the only direct sequel to the original, and in it Keaton's character, now an author, must face the wrath of the families of those she murdered all those years ago, after being kidnapped with her daughter Christy (Jamie Bernadette). This ill conceived sequel is over-long, under-funded and rather bad, it so bad, and I would go out of your way to avoid it, even if you are morbidly curious I just don't do it. The performances are over-the-top comically bad, the lone decent performance comes from Jamie Bernadette, basically rehashing the fist film, who is pretty decent, but trapped in a really terrible film. Trust me, just re-watch the original, skip this hot mess and move on. 

Special Features: 

- NEW! Audio Commentary with Film Critic Joe Bob Briggs

- NEW! Cast Interviews

- EXCLUSIVE! The Making of 'I Spit on Your Grave: Deja Vu'

Behind-the-Scenes footage with director Meir Zarchi and cast

- Original Theatrical Trailer

RICK AND MORTY - THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (2021) 

Label: WBHE

Region Code: A

Rating: 

Duration: 220 Minutes

English DTS-HD MA 5.1 with Optional English Subtitles

Video: 100p HD Widescreen

Rick and Morty Season Five continues the adventures of sociopathic genius scientist Rick and his grandson Morty on a series of apocalyptic  adventures across the universe. This season they wine and dine the king of Atlantic, go on an apocalyptic sex-filled planet hopping bar crawl, fight kaiju sized sperm-monsters, embark on a Voltron-esque battle, and in my favorite episode "Rickdependence Spray" we get a brain-melting clone saga that had me freaking out and questioning my own reality. Far and away my favorite toon series this anarchic bit of sci-fi mayhem never fails to please. If you can I highly recommend getting the super-cool steelbook packaging, and the extras are also pretty nifty. 

Special Features: 

- "Fighting Gravity": The Making of Season 5 (Exclusive to Set): In this deep dive discussion, co-creator Dan Harmon and the crew reflect on the challenges of completing this season in the middle of a pandemic and the creative process behind the story's biggest revelations.

- “Inside the Episode”: For every episode from Season 5

B-Story Generator Vol. 1: Co-creator Dan Harmon and writer Rob Schrab reach into their box of random ideas to conjure up hilarious side stories.

- B-Story Generator Vol. 2: Co-creator Dan Harmon and writer Rob Schrab return to brainstorm even more ludicrous side stories.

- Backgrounds: The show's artists give us a jaw-dropping look at the amazingly detailed environments packed into every episode.

- Animation and Compositing: Crafting the show's visuals is a complex process and the crew is here to show us why.

Coloring Rick and Morty: Get an in-depth look at how the crew uses vibrant color to create fantastic alien worlds.

Directing 'Mortyplicity': An inside look at the evolution of this ambitious and action-packed episode, from initial storyboards to final product.

- Directing 'Rickmurai Jack': A behind the scenes look at one visualization of one of the most ambitious episodes in the series' history.

- Season 5 Hype: Dan Harmon and the writers give you a taste of what's in store for Rick and Morty's wildest season yet.

THE UNNAMABLE (1988) (Unearthed Films Blu-ray Review)

THE UNNAMABLE (1988) 

Label: Unearthed Films
Region Code: A
Rating: Unrated
Duration: 88 Minutes 
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, PCM 2.0 with 
Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1) 
Director: Jean-Paul Quellette
Cast: Mark Kinsey Stephenson, Charles Klausmeyer, Alexandra Durrell, Laura Albert, Katrin Alexandre

Synopsis: College students from Miskatonic University who retreat to an early 18th-century mansion for a weekend of lust are stalked by a fatalistic female in this horror film taken from a story by H.P. Lovecraft. The demon delights in tearing the limbs off her human victims to carry out a centuries-old family curse.

In the 80's Stuart Gordon's Re-Animator (1985) blew open the doors for low-budget and bloody adaptations of Lovecraft, most of them rather loosely based on the author's work, and this low-budget entry is one of them. The film opens with a prologue set in the 18th century, we find an old man named Joshua Winthrop (Delbert Spain) who lives in a house by the cemetery, where he keeps something locked away in the attic, something so hideous that it's unnamable. He seems to be protecting it for some reason, but on a dark and stormy night that certain something rips his heart right out of his chest. In the aftermath the local clergy bury Winthrop's body in the neighboring cemetery and order that the unholy house be sealed off and boarded up. 

Two hundred years later a trio of Miskatonic University students gather near the home in the cemetery, where oddly eccentric folklore studies major Randolph Carter (Mark Kinsey Stephenson, Servants of Twilight) regales his classmates with a spooky story of how one man is said to have been scared to the brink of insanity by the mere image of the demon daughter of old man Winthrop, but his doubtful classmate Joel Manton (Mark Parra) calls bullshit on the tale, daring Carter and their classmate Howard Damon (Charles Klausmeyer) to spend the night in the fabled house. The pair decline but the skeptic stays behind inside the house, dooming himself when he discovers the unnamable demon still resides in the house.

When Joel does not return to school the next day Carter and Howard return to look for him, where they also encountering college frat guys John (Blane Wheatley) and Bruce (Eben Ham, TV's Scandal) who've brought 80's lookers Wendy (Laura Albert, Bloodstone) and her foreign friend Tanya (Alexandra Durrell) along, hoping that the scary place and some well told fright tales will get them laid. 

Needless to say the demon beast in the house begins bloodily killing college kids one by one, but is kept off screen for the most part until late in the film, finally revealing her full demonic presence, a gorgeous make-up application that holds-up even in HD! The Lovecraft elements here are paper thin, but it's enough to get the film started so the slasher-esque body count can properly begin, with some well done 80s gore-gags. 

As gore goes we have multiple heart-ripping, skin shredding, decapitation, a compound fracture, throats ripped out, and a decent amount of blood. The design of the demon creature is the absolute highlight of the film, she snarls, hisses and howls like a wounded animal, it's a bit unnerving, and the sculpted latex FX used to bring her to life are quite good, complete with cloven feet, and hairy calves that look a bit like she's wearing fuzzy leg warmers. 

The film manages some decent atmosphere and set pieces on it's low-budget, but limitations do reveal the,selves. However,I have always liked this film, it has a lot of heart, and it rips out a few, too.   

Audio/Video: The Unnamable (1988) arrives on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films, the inaugural release of their Unearthed Classics imprint. Sourced from a 4K scan of the original camera negative, presented in 1080p HD and framed in 1.85:1 widescreen. Never-before-available here in the U.S. on any format except VHS this low-budget body count film looks impressive on Blu-ray. The VHS murkiness of yore is gone revealing a layer of film grain and details not seen before, sometimes to the detriment of the production, revealing the previously unseen seams in the low cost miniatures, cheap special effects and  budgetary limitations. Shot on the cheap the film looks - no surprisingly - a bit cheap, there's a softness to the image, blacks aren't inky, but these are source limitations and no fault of the 4K scan, it certainly blows away my VHS copy.  

Audio on the disc includes both English 5.1 DTS-HD MA Surround and a pair of PCM 2.0 Mono options, including a restored track that's crisp and clean, and a "grindhouse" option that has not been restored, it's got some vintage analog hiss and crackle happening, and I sort of dig the dirtier version, it gives you that retro-feel. The 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround option is a clunker though, reportedly an up-mixed stereo track that was somehow flubbed, with one of the tracks is not synced properly causing an hideous echo, during several scenes footsteps comically sound like a trotting horse, so skip the surround track all together and go with the stereo options. 

Unearthed give this a lot of extras, beginning with an group audio commentary with actors Charles Klausmeyer, Mark Stephenson, Laura Albert, Eben Ham, plus make-up and special FX crew Camille Calvet and R. Christopher Biggs. The track is bustling with group energy, perhaps too much, there's a lot of talking over each other, but they do cover quite a bit of ground about the production. There's also a handful of video Skype interviews conducted by Jay Kay of Horror Happens Radio, adding up to over four hours of content. The interviews are all lengthy with Kay asking some good questions, but they are kind of an eyesore with a dual window-boxed format, but they're still quite good, just not super slick, and in need of a bit of editing. 

The disc is buttoned-up with a series of Unearthed trailers, including Nightwish (1989) which has yet to be released. The single-disc release comes housed in a standard Blu-ray keepcase with a one-sided sleeve of artwork, it being the familiar looking VHS artwork, plus there's a limited edition slipcover featuring a sweet Thai movie poster illustration, which is one of the best-looking slips of the year in my opinion, only 2000 of these were produced. The slip and wrap spines are both numbered, this being Unearthed Classics number 1.

Special Features: 
- Video interview with actors, Charles Klausmeyer and Mark Kinsey Stephenson (79 min) 
- Video interview with actor, Eben Ham (31 min) 
- Video interview with actor, Laura Albert (46 min) 
- Video interview with actor, Mark Parra (34 min) 
- Video interviews with R. Christopher Biggs, special makeup effects artist and makeup artist, Camille Calvet (60 min) 
- Audio commentary with Charles Klausmeyer, Mark Stephenson, Laura Albert, Eben Ham, Camille Calvet and R. Christopher Biggs 
- Vintage Audio Track (PCM 2.0) 
- Galley (30 Images) HD 
- Unearthed Trailers: Francesca (2 min), Flowers, Mecanix (2 min), Nightwish (2 min), When Black Birds Fly (4 min), Song of Solomon (2 min)

The Unnamable (1988) probably won't ever be remembered as an 80's horror classic, but I think it's perfectly alright to be remembered as that fun, direct-to-video flick with the cool-ass looking demon chic. Films of the ilk have a special place in our horror hearts, if not necessarily on the top-end of a best-of the 80's horror list. The new Blu-ray from Unearthed Classics looks great, and the stereo audio sounds fine - just skip that flubbed surround track. If you're a fan of the film this sucker is jam-packed with hours of goodies, and one of the best-looking slips of the year.