'Terrifier 2' Acquired by Cinedigm's SCREAMBOX and Bloody Disgusting

TERRIFIER 2 

Cinedigm’s SCREAMBOX and Bloody Disgusting Acquire Hotly Anticipated Slasher Sequel 

'Terrifier 2’ 

A nationwide theatrical release is planned for this fall; followed by an exclusive launch on streaming platform SCREAMBOX 

Streaming platform SCREAMBOX announced today they have partnered with horror media brand Bloody Disgusting to acquire all North American rights to the highly anticipated Terrifier 2.  

The ultra-gory slasher will open in theaters Nationwide this Halloween season before streaming exclusively on the Bloody Disgusting-powered SCREAMBOX. 

From Writer/Director Damien Leone (All Hallows' Eve), the highly anticipated sequel to the cult-favorite slasher film welcomes back David Howard Thornton as the demonic killer, Art the Clown. Terrifier 2 also introduces Lauren LaVera as Sienna, who will become an instant fan favorite.  Also returning is Samantha Scaffidi who will reprise her role as Victoria Heyes.  Horror icon Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp) also makes an appearance. 

Terrifier 2 has Art the Clown up to his old tricks once again.  Following his gruesome demise in the first film, a sinister presence has brought Art back to life to rein terror on the residents of Miles County.  On Halloween night, he returns to the unassuming town and sets his sights on fresh prey: a teenage girl and her little brother, portrayed by LaVera and Elliott Fullam, respectively. 

The film marks the fifth on-screen appearance of Art the Clown.  Originally created for a pair of low-budget, bloody shorts, the character made his feature-length debut in Leone’s 2013 hit All Hallows’ Eve. His iconic look, plus the personality and humor he exudes, changed the way we look at killer clowns forever.  The sadistic clown went on to become a cult-horror icon with various pop culture merchandise companies selling masks, costumes, enamel pins, air fresheners, figurines, and even ugly Christmas sweaters.  

“The Terrifier franchise embodies everything that’s great about the iconic slasher flicks of the 80s and 90s,” said Bloody Disgusting and SCREAMBOX Managing Director Brad Miska.  “It’s nostalgic, it’s dark, it’s bloody, so it’s no wonder the movie—and especially Art the Clown—have become a staple for horror and Halloween fans alike.  Fans are not prepared for what they’re about to experience.” 

Says Director Damien Leone, “Just like our incredible fan base, Bloody Disgusting immediately recognized the film's franchise potential and acknowledged Art the Clown as a new and formidable presence in the genre.  It was encouraging to find the perfect home for our batshit crazy, no holds barred, balls-to-the-wall horror film after three arduous years of production, a global pandemic and endless gallons of blood.  Our goal was to create a horror film that was boundary-pushing, fresh yet old-school and demented as hell.  You know...a film you can take the kids to!  We are thrilled to finally answer that once dreaded question...’So, when does Terrifier 2 come out?!’”

Terrifier 2 is developed by Dark Age Cinema and Fuzz on the Lens Productions and features an original score by Rostislav Vaynshtok and Paul Wiley.  The film is produced by Phil Falcone, Steven Della Salla, Jason Leavy and Michael Leavy.  Executive producers include Cairo Ben Amen II, Joshua Anderson, Steven Caruso, Lisa Falcone, Hank Greenberg, Marcus McGill and Thomas Smith.  The deal was negotiated by Brandon Hill on behalf of Screambox & Bloody Disgusting and Priscilla Ross Smith of The Coven on behalf of the filmmakers. 

After the film’s planned theatrical release, Terrifier 2 will debut on SCREAMBOX.  Powered by Bloody Disgusting, the horror streaming channel features a broad mix of content for casual and die-hard horror fans alike.  Refreshed monthly with films and episodes delivering every type of terror imaginable, SCREAMBOX currently features classic horror films like Slumber Party Massacre and the original House on Haunted Hill, as well as horror series such as “The Island” and the iconic 80s horror series “Freddy’s Nightmares,” an anthology series based on A Nightmare on Elm Street.  SCREAMBOX is available to stream on iOS, Android, Prime Video, YouTube TV, Comcast and screambox.com.

 

Charlize Theron gives a tour-de-force performance in Patty Jenkins' 'Monster' set for Limited Edition UK Blu-ray Release on August 15th

 

MONSTER (2003)

LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY

Charlize Theron gives a tour-de-force performance as America’s first female serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster (2003), from director Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman), that earned her accolades galore, including the prestigious best actress Oscar® in 2004. Now almost 20 years on from its original, lauded theatrical release, the film is set for the Limited Edition treatment from Second Sight Films.

Based on true events, this darkly chilling, gripping drama will be released on Blu-ray in a stunning Limited Edition Box set, presented in a rigid slipcase, with new artwork by Daniel Benneworth-Gray.  It comes with a soft-cover book, featuring brand new essays and a host of special features; from brand new interviews to archive commentaries that take you behind the scenes and into the mind of a real-life Monster. The set is released on 15 August 2022 and available to pre-order now.

Aileen Wuornos (Charlize Theron – Mad Max Fury Road, Bomb Shell) has had it tough, but when the down-on-her-luck sex worker moves to Florida she unexpectedly finds love and is determined to get her life back on track.

Befriending Selby Wall (Christina Ricci – Buffalo ’66, Yellow Jackets), a sweet but reserved young woman, a romance soon blossoms. But things take a dark turn when a john tries to assault Aileen. She fights back and kills him and decides it’s time to give up the game.

But Aileen quickly discovers going straight isn’t that easy and is sucked back into a world of violent crime that escalates from petty theft to serial murder. As more and more men turn up dead, Selby starts to suspect the woman closest to her is responsible.

Special Features

• Archive audio commentary with writer/director Patty Jenkins, actor/producer Charlize Theron and 

producer Clark Peterson

• Making a Murderer: a new interview with director Patty Jenkins

• Producing a Monster: a new interview with producer Brad Wyman

• Light From Within: a new interview with DoP Steven Bernstein

• Monster: The Vision and Journey

• Based on a True Story: The Making of Monster

• Deleted and extended scenes with director commentary

• Monster: Evolution of the Score

• Original trailer

• English subtitles for the hearing impaired

Limited Edition Contents

• Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Daniel Benneworth-Gray

• Soft cover book with new essays by Anton Bitel, Hannah Strong & Shelagh Rowan-Legg

• Six collectors' art cards

Title: Monster Limited Edition Blu-ray

Cat.No.: 2NDBR4161 Release Date: 15 August 2022

Cert: 15 Running Time: 109 mins

Region: Region B 

Pre-order here: bit.ly/MonsterLtdEd

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1997) Debuting On 4K Ultra HD 9/27 In Celebration Of Its 25th Anniversary

I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER (1997) DEBUTING ON 4K ULTRA HD SEPTEMBER 27TH IN CELEBRATION OF ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY

Jennifer Love Hewitt and Sarah Michelle Gellar star with Freddie Prinze, Jr., Ryan Phillippe and Johnny Galecki in this terrifying tale of teenage suspense. After an accident on a winding road, four teens make the fatal mistake of dumping their victim’s body into the sea. Exactly one year later, the four friends’ deadly secret resurfaces as they’re stalked by a hook-handed figure looking for more than just an apology…

 

DISC DETAILS & BONUS MATERIALS

4K ULTRA HD DISC

- Feature scanned from the original camera negative and presented in 4K resolution with Dolby Vision

- All-new Dolby Atmos audio + original 5.1

Special Features:

- NEW: 6 Deleted Scenes + Alternate Ending

My Own Summer: An Interview with Director Jim Gillespie

- He Knows What You Did: An Interview with Muse Watson

 

BLU-RAY DISC

- Feature presented in High Definition

Dolby TrueHD 5.1 audio

Special Features:

- Filmmakers’ Commentary

- Director’s Short Film: “Joyride” with Optional Commentary

- “Now I Know What You Did Last Summer” Featurette

- Music Video: “Hush” Performed by Kula Shaker

- Theatrical Trailer

Participating digital platforms will have I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER available in 4K HDR on this date, along with 4K HDR debuts of I STILL KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER and I’LL ALWAYS KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER.

 

CAST AND CREW

Directed By: Jim Gillespie

Screenplay By: Kevin Williamson

Based on the Novel By: Lois Duncan

Produced by: Neal H. Moritz, Erik Feig and Stokely Chaffin

Executive Producer: William S. Beasley

Cast: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr., Johnny Galecki, Bridgette Wilson

 

SPECS

Run Time: Approx. 101 minutes

Rating: R for strong horror violence and language

4K UHD Feature Picture: 2160p Ultra High Definition, 2.39:1

4K UHD Feature Audio: English Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 Compatible) | English 5.1 DTS-HD MA

 

Chucky Comes Stalking Again in Child's Play, Child's Play 2 and Child's Play 3 (4K UHD Collector's Editions) this August from Scream Factory

The pint-sized terror gets the deluxe Scream Factory UHD treatment with loads of new extras! 

 

CHUCKY’S BACK AND READY TO PLAY IN

4K UHD + BLU-RAY COLLECTOR’S EDITIONS

ON AUGUST 16th, 2022:

CHILD’S PLAY (COLLECTOR’S EDITION)

CHILD’S PLAY 2 (COLLECTOR’S EDITION)

CHILD’S PLAY 3 (COLLECTOR’S EDITION)

FANS CAN POSSESS THE CLASSIC HORRORS INDIVIDUALLY AND WITHIN SCREAM FACTORY EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE BUNDLES

He’s baaack! Everyone’s favorite slasher doll will come stalking again in Child’s Play, Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3 4K UHD + Blu-Ray Collector’s Editions on August 16th, 2022 by Scream Factory. The exciting release marks the North American 4K UHD debuts for the three movies with all-new high-definition film transfers from their original camera negative. Die-hard “Chucky” fans will also be treated to a wealth of new bonus features including interviews with writers, producers, and actors of the iconic and enduring horror franchise. The Collector’s Editions are currently available for pre-order, along with limited-edition collectibles and exclusive merchandise offers on ShoutFactory.com. 

SCREAM FACTORY SITE EXCLUSIVE OFFERS:

Scream Factory™ is also offering exclusive merchandise and bundles for fans to collect while supplies last.

1. Child's Play 1-3 + 5 Posters + 2 Slipcovers

Child's Play [Collector's Edition] 3-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

Child's Play 2 [Collector's Edition] 2-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

Child's Play 3 [Collector's Edition] 2-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

Limited edition 18” x 24” rolled posters of the original theatrical artwork for all three films (these will ship rolled, in a poster tube)

Two additional slipcovers — made exclusively for this promotion — featuring new artwork from artist Devon Whitehead for Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3

Two exclusive, limited edition 18” x 24” rolled posters — made exclusively for this promotion — of the newly-designed art for Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3 from artist Devon Whitehead (these will ship rolled, in a poster tube)

2. Child’s Play 1-3 + NECA + 5 Posters + 2 Slipcovers

Child's Play [Collector's Edition] 3-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

Child's Play 2 [Collector's Edition] 2-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

Child's Play 3 [Collector's Edition] 2-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

An exclusive, limited edition 5 ½” tall “Charred Chucky” action figure by NECA (limited to 4,000 units, this will ship separately from the rest of your order in late 2022 — please note that a handling fee of $6.99 will be added for each action figure ordered)

Limited edition 18” x 24” rolled posters of the original theatrical artwork for all three films (these will ship rolled, in a poster tube)

Two additional slipcovers — made exclusively for this promotion — featuring new artwork from artist Devon Whitehead for Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3

Two exclusive, limited edition 18” x 24” rolled posters — made exclusively for this promotion — of the newly-designed art for Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3 from artist Devon Whitehead (these will ship rolled, in a poster tube)

3. Child’s Play 1-3 + NECA + 5 Posters + 2 Slipcovers + Enamel Pin Set + Postcard Set

Child's Play [Collector's Edition] 3-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

Child's Play 2 [Collector's Edition] 2-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

Child's Play 3 [Collector's Edition] 2-Disc UHD/Blu-ray set (with slipcover)

 An exclusive, limited edition 5 ½” tall “Charred Chucky” action figure by NECA (limited to 4,000 units, this will ship separately from the rest of your order in late 2022 — please note that a handling fee of $6.99 will be added for each action figure ordered)

Limited edition 18” x 24” rolled posters of the original theatrical artwork for all three films (these will ship rolled, in a poster tube)

Two additional slipcovers — made exclusively for this promotion — featuring new artwork from artist Devon Whitehead for Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3

Two exclusive, limited edition 18” x 24” rolled posters — made exclusively for this promotion — of the newly-designed art for Child’s Play 2 and Child’s Play 3 from artist Devon Whitehead (these will ship rolled, in a poster tube)

An exclusive, limited edition set of three Child’s Play postcards

Plus, Scream Factory and Gutter Garbs have teamed up to bring you the official Chucky Collectible Enamel Pin Set, exclusive to ShoutFactory.com and limited to 1,000 units.

Set includes 5 pins

Each pin is hard enamel

Each pin measures approx. 1.5” high

Each pin includes clutch with rubber backer

Set includes custom backer card, which measures approx. 6” x 5”

Pin set (on card) stored in custom keepsake box, which measures approx. 7” x 6”

Keepsake box includes custom insert to keep pin set (on card) in place

Art by Matthew Skiff

SPECIAL FEATURES & SPECS: Please see below for full release information including special features.

CHILD’S PLAY

The "chills come thick and fast" (Los Angeles Times) in this riveting, jolt-a-minute thriller about an innocent-looking doll inhabited by the soul of a serial killer who refuses to die. From the director of Fright Night, Child's Play comes complete with "excellent special effects" (Leonard Maltin) and a slew of special features that make this 3-disc set your "friend to the end!"

In this "clever, playful thriller" (The New York Times), only six-year-old Andy realizes that Chucky is responsible for a spate of gruesome murders, including that of his unsuspecting babysitter. But the real terror takes hold when the deranged doll becomes determined to transfer his evil spirit to a living human being ... Andy!

Special Features:

Disc 1 (Feature Film – UHD):

- NEW 2022 4K scan of the original camera negative - presented in Dolby Vision

- NEW Dolby Atmos track

- Audio Commentary with director Tom Holland

- Audio Commentary with Alex Vincent, Catherine Hicks and "Chucky" designer Kevin Yagher

- Audio Commentary with Producer David Kirschner and Screenwriter Don Mancini

Select Scene Commentary by Chucky

 

DISC 2 (Feature Film – Blu-Ray):

- NEW 2022 4K scan of the original camera negative

- NEW Dolby Atmos track

- Audio Commentary with director Tom Holland

- Audio Commentary with Alex Vincent, Catherine Hicks and "Chucky" designer Kevin Yagher

- Audio Commentary with Producer David Kirschner and Screenwriter Don Mancini

Select Scene Commentary by Chucky

- NEW Birth of the Good Guy – an interview with writer Don Mancini

- NEW Friends Till the End – an interview with actor Alex Vincent

- NEW Believe Me Now? – an interview with actor Chris Sarandon

- NEW Chucky: The Great and Terrible – an interview with producer David Kirschner

- NEW Windy City Chills – an interview with production manager Robert Latham Brown

DISC 3 (Special Features):

- Behind the Scenes Special Effects Footage

- Howard Berger: Your Special Effects Friend 'Til the End – an interview with the special make-up effects artist

- Life Behind the Mask: Being Chucky – an interview with actor Ed Gale

- Evil Comes in Small Packages – archival featurette

- Chucky: Building a Nightmare -archival featurette

- A Monster Convention – archival piece from the 2007 Monster Mania panel

- Introducing Chucky: The Making of Child's Play - archival featurette

- Vintage featurette

- Theatrical Trailer

- TV Spot

- Still Galleries – Behind the Scenes, Posters and Lobby Cards       

  

DISC 1 – 4K ULTRA HD: 2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen (1.85:1)/Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

DISC 2 – BLU RAY: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1)/Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

DISC 3 – BLU RAY: 1080p High-Definition (Various)/DTS-HD Master Audio

CHILD'S PLAY 2

The notorious killer doll with the satanic smile comes back to life in this new chapter depicting the terrifying struggle between young Andy Barclay (Alex Vincent) and the demonic doll attempting to possess his soul. Despite being roasted to a crisp in his last escapade, Chucky rises from the ashes after being reconstructed by a toy factory to dispel the negative publicity surrounding the doll. Back in one piece, Chucky tracks his prey to a foster home where the chase begins again in this fiendishly clever sequel to the enormously popular original.

Special Features:

DISC 1 (UHD):

NEW 4K Scan of the original camera negative – presented in Dolby Vision

- NEW Dolby Atmos Track

- Audio Commentary with director John Lafia

DISC 2 (Blu-ray):

- NEW 4K scan of the original camera negative

- NEW Dolby Atmos Track

- NEW Puppet Master – an interview with writer Don Mancini

- NEW The Family Expands – an interview with producer David Kirschner

- NEW Under Pressure – an interview with actor Alex Vincent

- NEW In Kyle We Trust – an interview with actress Christine Elise

- NEW School’s Out – an interview with actress Beth Grant

- NEW The Second Dance – an interview with executive producer Robert Latham Brown

- Audio Commentary with director John Lafia

- Theatrical Trailer

- TV Spot

- Additional scenes from the broadcast version

 

DISC 1 – 4K ULTRA HD: 2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen (1.85:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo

DISC 2 – BLU-RAY: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo

CHILD’S PLAY 3

Eight years after seemingly destroying the killer doll, Andy Barclay (now played by Justin Whalin), turns 16 and is placed in a military school. Meanwhile, the greedy president of Play Pals Toy Company decides to resurrect the popular Good Guys doll line, confident that the bad publicity is forgotten. As the assembly line recreates the first doll from a mass of melted plastic, the spirit of Chucky returns to renew his quest and seek revenge on Andy. Once again, it’s up to Andy to stop the unrelenting killer in this fast-paced and frightening thriller.

Special Features:

DISC 1 (UHD):

NEW 4K Scan of the original camera negative – presented in Dolby Vision

- NEW Dolby Atmos Track

- NEW Audio Commentary by director Jack Bender

- Audio Commentary by producer Robert Latham Brown

DISC 2 (Blu-ray):

- NEW 4K scan of the original camera negative

- NEW Dolby Atmos Track

- NEW Audio Commentary by director Jack Bender

- NEW Ride the Frightening – an interview with writer Don Mancini

- NEW War Games – an interview with actress Perrey Reeves

- NEW Chucky Goes East – an interview with executive producer David Kirschner

- NEW Carnivals and Campouts – an interview with producer Robert Latham Brown

- NEW Midway Centurions – an interview with actor Michael Chieffo

- NEW Shear Terror – an interview with makeup artist Craig Reardon

- NEW Unholy Mountain – an interview with production designer Richard Sawyer

- Audio Commentary by producer Robert Latham Brown

- Theatrical Trailer

- TV Spot

- Additional scenes from the broadcast version

 

DISC 1 – 4K ULTRA HD: 2160p Ultra High-Definition HDR Widescreen (1.85:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo

DISC 2 – BLU-RAY: 1080p High-Definition Widescreen (1.85:1)/DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo

 

THE EPITAPH VOL. 52 - BRIEF REMBRANCES OF THE RECENTLY RELEASED

THE EPITAPH VOL. 52

STRAIGHT TO VHS (2021) - CURB YOUR ENTHISIASM: THE COMPLETE ELEVENTH SEASON (2021) - LUCIFER: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (2020-2021) - AQUAMAN: KING OF ATLANTIS (2021) - ERASER: REBORN (2022)

STRAIGHT TO VHS (2021) DVD

Label: IndiePix Unlimited 

Region Code: 1
Rating: Unrated 
Duration: 77 Minutes 
Audio: Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo with Optional English Subtitles 
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 
Director:‎ Emilio Silva Torres

In the documentary Straight To VHS (2021) director Emilio Silva Torres attempts to track down the people responsible for the obscure cult-film Act of Violence In A Young Journalist, a notorious direct-to-video film from Uruguay that is both inept in an SOV sort of way but has some sort of deeper appeal. As director Torres attempts to track down the enigmatic director Manuel Lamas, who reportedly disappeared without a trace after it's release, he manages to interview some of his collaborators and film historians, some of which oddly back out at the last minute or refuse to appear on camera, which only creates more of an air of mystery around the elusive director and this potentially cursed film.  It's an interesting film, and to be honest I am unsure if this is a real doc or fictional doc, though I assume the latter, but the way it's structured and the places it goes really struck a chord with me. I am not even sure I like the film, but it is interesting regardless. 

Special Features: 

- The Infamous Classis 'Actor de Violencia en Una Joven Periodista' in Spanish with English Subtitles 

- Trailer 

CURB YOUR ENTHISIASM: 

THE COMPLETE ELEVENTH SEASON (2021) DVD

Label: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment
Region Code: 1
Rating: Unrated 
Duration: 373 Minutes 
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 with Optional English Subtitles 
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 
Director:
Cast: Larry David, Jeff Garlin, Cheryl Hines, Susie Essman, J.B. Smoove 

Curb Your Enthusiasm is easily one of my favorite shows of all-time, in it Seinfeld co-creator Larry David plays an only slightly over-the-top version of himself as he navigates through his unnecessarily difficult day-tio-day life in L.A. with his manager Jeff Garlin and a cast of characters that includes Susie Essman (as Jeff’s wife Susie), Cheryl Hines (as Larry’s ex-wife Cheryl), JB Smoove (as Larry's housemate Leon), and Richard Lewis and Ted Danson as his longtime, but much put upon friends. Season 11 Larry as per the usual finding himself in hot water as he sets about trying to pitch a new show, Young Larry, to the streaming platforms, while also getting involved in local politics, attempting to thwart a city ordinance to require fencing around home pools, after a man drowns in his pool. This requires courting an offbeat councilwoman (Tracey Ullman), and some interesting side stories like mending robes for the Klu Klux Klan! At eleven seasons the show is still going strong and making me laugh and cringe, often at the same time, and for that I love the show, as where Seinfeld was a show about nothing I think Curb Your Enthusiasm has always been a show about an acerbic but likable asshole. 

LUCIFER: THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON (2020-2021) DVD

Label: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment 
Region Code: 1 
Rating: Unrated 
Duration: 900 Minutes 
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 with Optional English subtitles 
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 
Director:
Cast: Tom Ellis, Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro, DB Woodside, Lesley-Ann Brandt

This continuing story of the original fallen angel is based on the DC Comics character created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg, formerly airing on Fox before being cancelled, but then revived as a Netflix original. IOf you're not familiar with it, like myself before wathcing this fifth season, in it Lucifer Morningstar (Tom Ellis) has abandoned Hell for L.a. where he runs the nightclub Lux and becomes and occasionally assists Los Angeles Police Department Detective Chloe Decker (Laura German)> I must admit that I was totally lost coming into the fifth season cold, but thanks to the charisma of the lead as Morningstar and his charming detective sidekick (love interest?) I am actually quite keen to restart from the first season and give this series a proper watch. A glossy and stylish shoe with a very cool, sometimes diabolical, premise with a terrific cast, This season Lucifer investigates the murder of a nun, trades places with his brother in hell, takes on musicals, is visited by God, and adventures into a black and white murder mystery in the 1940's. As I said, I am a bit lost coming into the fifth season with zero history with the show but I dig it quite a bit.  

Special Features: 

- Deleted Scenes (4 min) 

- Gag Reel (4 min) 

 AQUAMAN: KING OF ATLANTIS (2021) DVD

Label: Warner Bos. Home Entertainment 

Region Code: 1

Rating: Unrated 

Duration: 137 Minutes 

Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 with Optional English Subtitles 

Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 

Director: Keith Pakiz 

Cast: Cooper Andrews, Gillian Jacobs, Thomas Lennon, Dana Snyder, Andrew Morgado

In the Warner Bros. Animation series Aquaman: King of Atlantis was a three-part mini-series now that premiered on HBO Max, it's now available on DVD as a feature-length movie. In it the newly crowned Aquaman: King of Atlantis along with the the water-controlling warrior princess Mera, must deal with rowdy surface dwellers, elder evils from beyond time and the repeated attempts of his half-brother Ocean Master to dethrone him. This is a kiddie-friendly cartoon with some awesome psychedelic animation that brought to The Amazing World of Gumball by way of Adventure Time. The story telling is madcap, kinetic and always a sight to behold - I love toons that make me think the animators are eating edibles when they scratch it out, and this definitely made me think that, so I loved it. It just so happened i had a few younger kids over the day I threw this on and they were transfixed, as was I, so kudos to the animation team and storytellers for the offbeat and highly entertaining animated DC tale. It wasn't what I expected, super-zany in the best sort of way.  

 

ERASER: REBORN (2022) 

Blu-ray + Digital 

Label: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment 

Region Code: A

Rating: R

Duration: 103 Minutes 

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

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen 

Director: John Pogue 

Cast: Michael Weiss, Dominic Sherwood, Patty Reed, Jacky Lai, Hunt Lowry

Eraser: Reborn (2022) is a pretty mediocre reboot of the mid-90's property that previously starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. I never watched the original film, it didn't interest me, and having seen this version about U.S. Marshal Mason Pollard who specializes in “erasing” people – faking the deaths of high-risk witnesses, I can safely say I have no interest in seeking out the 90's film or re-watching this one. . In it Pollard is assigned to "erase" Rina Kimura, a crime boss’ wife who’s decided to turn state’s evidence, fleeing with her to Cape Town, South Africa. However, she also stole a pass key that will unlock a ton of crime money, and her ex has sent assassins to kill her. The hand-to-hand action is actually pretty decent, if you just want a one-and-done thriller it might fit the bill, but the characters and acting are bland, the story unnecessarily convoluted, and this has some of the worst and most unnecessary CGI rendered animals put on film I've seen in a long time, it's super-bad. The A/V presentation is pretty decent, with WB also offering a slipcase and digital copy of the film, plus a 10-min featurette. It's an easy one-and-done that might make a decent early in the week watch but don't ruin your weekend by programming this dud. 

Special Features: 

- The Warrior and the Witness: Making Eraser: Reborn (10 min) 

- Digital Copy 

UNCLE SAM (1997) (Blue Underground 4K UHD Review)

UNCLE SAM (1997)

Label: Blue Underground

Rating: R

Duration: 89 Minutes

Region Code: Region-Free

Video: Dolby Vision HDR 2160p UltraHD Widescreen (2.40:1)

Audio: Uncompressed English Dolby Atmos, Dolby True HD 7.1, DTS-HD MA 5.1 with Optional English Subtitles 

Director: William Lustig

Cast: Bo Hopkins, Timothy Bottoms, Robert Forster, P.J. Soles, William Smith, Isaac Hayes, Christopher Ogden, Leslie Neale, Anne Tremko, Tim Grimm, Matthew Flint, Zachary McLemore

In William Lustig's (Vigilante) straight-to-video 'star bangled shocker' Uncle Sam (1997) it’s the Fourth of July weekend in the small town of Twin Rivers, and the inhabitants are ready to celebrate with a big community cookout at the park, but the the arrival of the corpse of hometown hero Sgt. Sam Harper (David Fralick, TV's The Young and the Restless)– a soldier who was killed by ‘friendly fire’ during the first Gulf War – brings with it not only mourning, but unexpected horror, as Sgt. Sam rises from the dead to punish whomever he considers to be unpatriotic in the small town community.

 

Sgt. Harper's young nephew Jody (Christopher Ogden, SLC Punk!) is a patriotic sort of lad who worshipped his uncle, and he cannot wait to be of age so that he can serve his country just like his uncle, but Jody's mother Sally (Leslie Neale, Gremlins 2) and the deceased soldiers wife Louise (Anne Tremko, TV's Saved by the Bell: The College Years) both know about Sam's darker more abusive side, which they keep from the child. As the 4th of July weekend festivities get under way Sam's gruesome corpse is supernaturally reanimated and sets about killing those he deems to be corrupt and unpatriotic, starting off with a local peeping tom who wears a creepy Uncle Sam costume and walks around on stilts (so that he can peep into second story windows). Sam chases him down, kills him, and disguises his hideous visage behind the Uncle Sam mask and costume (minus the stilts) before continuing his patriotic kill spree.

The resurrected soldier then targets a trio of teenage delinquents who are disrespectful of the flag and desecrating graves, before hatcheting Jody's draft-dodging teacher (Timothy Bottoms, Invaders from Mars), slaughtering his former sergeant (Bo Hopkins, Mutant) and a major (William Smith, Maniac Cop), and laying into a pot-smoking teen who apparently irked him by abandoning her BBQ duties, before blowing up a vain congressmen (Robert Forster, Alligator) with fireworks, shooting his ex's new beau (Tim Grimm) in the head, and impaling Louise's cop boyfriend (Matthew Flint, Swimming with Sharks) on the American flag. It's a fun holiday themed slasher with a solid bodycount and plenty of clever on-the-nose themed kills, and a smattering of prerequisite social commentary. While the flick does lack the bigger action set pieces and gore of the Lustig/Cohen's Maniac Cop films the kills set-ups are well done and we do get some pretty terrific fire stunt work at the end of the film. 

Eventually young Jody comes to see the truth about his uncle, thanks in part to his wheelchair bound and blind best friend Barry (Zachary McLemore, My Girl), who seems to have a weird psychic connection to the killer, though that aspect is not fleshed out all that well. Now seeing the truth about his uncle and wanting to stop the carnage Jody teams up with a one-legged Korean War vet (Isaac Hayes, Escape from New York) to thwart his homicidal zombie uncle's rampage with explosive results. 

While this went straight-to-video the Lustig/Cohen team-up is no dud, it's a totally fun zombified psycho-killer romp in the tradition of Maniac Cop with some social commentary that brought to mind Bob Clark's Deathdream or Joe Dante's Master of Horror entry Homecoming. The script has plenty of the Larry Cohen (The Stuff) nuttiness to it but the elements at times seem at odds with each other, with tonal shifts keep it from being all that it could have been with a more fine-tuned script, few more bucks and more gore, but as it is it's still quite an entertaining psycho-killer romp. 

Audio/Video: Uncle Sam (1997) cleans up nicely for it UHD debut from Blue Underground, scanned in 4K 16-bit from the original 35mm camera negative, presented in 2160p UHD framed in 1.85:1 widescreen with Dolby Vision HDR color-grading. Having only previously seen this on DVD (I never upgraded to Blu-ray) this new 4K UHD restoration sizzles, easily blowing away the SD presentation with superior colors, better contrast, deeper shadows and much finer resolved grain levels. It's quite a colorful film, especially the scenes of the festive July 4th celebrations with lots of garish colors. A very pleasing presentation that makes you appreciate it the film for more than just a dumped-on-video 90's horror flick.

Audio comes by way of English Dolby Atmos which folds down to Dolby TrueHD 71 and we get a 5.1 DTS-HD MA with optional English subtitles. The Atmos is quite nice, dialogue is delivered with precision and the effects and score from Mark Governor have some nice weight in the mix. Like the crisp and nuanced image I was surprised by the fidelity and spacing of the sound design on this one. 

No new extras for this this one but it is well stocked with archival bonus features, starting off with a pair of commentaries, the first is an Audio Commentary with Director William Lustig, Writer Larry Cohen and Producer George G. Braunstein that was recorded in 2004 for the Blue Underground DVD release, and a second Audio Commentary with Director William Lustig and Star Isaac Hayes recorded back in 1998 for the Elite Entertainment laserdisc. Both are quite good, but I preferred the track with Lustig, the late Larry Cohen and George G. Braunstein. Just three dudes who made a cool flick talking about the making of it, the challenges making it and some of it's shortcomings. We also get a brief Deleted Scenes, a fun Gag Reel, a Fire Stunts featurette with  Commentary by Stunt Coordinator Spiro Razatos, Theatrical Trailer, and a Poster & Still Galleries with 51 images. 

The single-disc UHD (no Blu-ray included) release arrives in an oversized clear Scanavo keepcase with a reversible sleeve of artwork featuring both the scary and scarier image of zombified Uncle Sam. There's also a limited edition lenticular slipcover that is available on the first pressing only. 

Special Features:

- Audio Commentary #1 with Director William Lustig, Writer Larry Cohen and Producer George G. Braunstein

- Audio Commentary #2 with Director William Lustig and Star Isaac Hayes

- Fire Stunts with Audio Commentary by Stunt Coordinator Spiro Razatos (10 min) 

- Deleted Scene (1 min) 

- Gag Reel (1 min) 

- Theatrical Trailer (2 min) 

- Poster & Still Gallery (53 Images) 

Uncle Sam (1997) might not be a top-tier William Lustig/Larry Cohen team-up but it is a fun holiday themed supernatural psycho-killer flick that was honestly much better than I remembered from my viewing of it nearly twenty years ago on DVD. This new 4K restoration looks and sounds phenomenal and hopefully rehabilitates the movie's reputation a tiny bit. It's a holiday themed slasher gem well worth re-discovering on UHD, and in my humble opinion should at least be on your list of semi-annual holiday themed slashers to watch alongside other admittedly second and third string, but still highly enjoyable slashers, like Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984) and New Year's Evil (1980).    

CRAZY MAMA (1975) (101 Films Blu-ray Review)

CRAZY MAMA (1975)

Label: 101 Films

Region Code: B

Rating: Cert. 15

Duration: 80 Minutes

Audio: Uncompressed English PCM 2.0 Dual-Mono with Optional English Subtitles

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.85:1)

Director: Jonathan Demme 

Cast: Cloris Leachman, Ann Sothern, Linda Purl, Donny Most, Jim Backus, Stuart Whitman

Jonathan Demme's second directorial effort Crazy Mama (1974) stars the late Cloris Leachman (Young Frankenstein) as hair-dresser turned outlaw Melba Stokes. The film starts off in the 30's and we see adolescent Melba's father being killed in an armed standoff during an eviction gone wrong in Arkansas. Thirty years later we catch up with her running a California beauty parlor along with her mother Sheba (Ann Sothern, The Manitou) and teenage daughter Cheryl (Linda Purl, Visiting House). Her father's bad luck has seemingly rubbed off as her shop is unceremoniously repossessed by their fez-wearing landlord (Jim Backus, Zotz!). Undeterred the spunky ladies steal his car, with the help of Chery's surfer-beau Shawn (Donny Most, Ralph "The Mouth" from TV's Happy Days), and embark on a crime-riddled road trip from California headed toward their family's former home in Arkansas to reclaim their land. Along the way they stop off in Las Vegas for some gambling fun and pick-up a vacationing sheriff named Jim Bob (Stuart Whitman, Night of the Lepus), who despite already being married, ends up marrying Melba. They also pick-up a cantankerous old lady named Bertha (Merie Earle, TV's The Waltons) who has escaped from a nursing home. That's not all though, the pregnant Cheryl picks up a new greaser biker boyfriend named Snake (Sothern's son Bryan Englund, The Prowler) much to the chagrin of her surfer dude boyfriend.

Together this motley crew leave Vegas continuing to Arkansas, along the way committing a series of robberies, including knocking over a racetrack, a resort hotel, and a grocery store; even pretending to kidnap Joe Bob in order to extort money from his wealthy first wife (Sally Kirkland, Two Evil Eyes). Its a fast-paced and chaotic flick with plenty of madcap hijinks, at just 80-minutes it flies by thanks to the the comic stylings of the incomparable Leachman, who was still cutting quite figure in skin tight clothes here in her 50's, and Sothern who is a friggin' hoot. It's a bit of hot mess but a hell of a fun hot mess it is with plenty of a screwball action and madcap laughs, plus some cool crash 'em up car chases and a Bertha getting gunned down by a cop played by the late-great Dick Miller (Gremlins). 

Audio/Video: Crazy Mama (1975) arrives on region B Blu-ray from 101 Films in 1080p HD framed in 1.85:1 widescreen. This is licensed from Shout! Factory and looks quite nice, the 1080p bump easily advances over the standard definition DVD in my collection with tighter grain, solid color reproduction and is mostly clean and free of blemish with a few minor exceptions such as white speckling. Audio comes by way of uncompressed English PCM dual-mono with optional English subtitles. Depth and fidelity are fine with occasional moments of action and gunfire holding it's own, it's not gonna give your surround a workout but the score from Snotty Scotty and The Hankies plus tunes from Santo & Johnny's Sleepwalk and The Chordettes, among other 50's rockers, sound just fine.

Archival extras include the Audio Commentary with director Jonathan Demme and Roger Corman, in which they discuss the phenomenal cast (including a young Dennis Quaid making an appearance as a bellhop and a cameo from John Millius), Whitman anachronistic hairstyle, the stunt work, the fantastic music selections and how much that same selection of songs might cost today, plus locations a. We also get a 15-min Interview with Jonathan Demme and Roger Corman, topics discussed are how Demme came to work for Corman, what Corman saw in Demme early on, whatever happened to Corman's unmade Robert E. Lee picture, and touching on why Corman stopped directing films to produce. The disc is buttoned-up with the 3-min Theatrical Trailer and a minute's worth of TV Spots. The single-disc release arrives in a Criterion-style Scanavo keepcase with a sleeve of artwork featuring the original illustrated artwork. 

Special Features:

- Audio Commentary with director Jonathan Demme and Roger Corman

- Interview with Jonathan Demme and Roger Corman (15 min) 

- Theatrical Trailer (3 min)

-  TV Spots (1 min)

Screenshots from the 101 Films Blu-ray: 

Extras: