MVD announces the first group of titles for distribution from 88 FILMS: The Gestapo's Last Orgy (10/5), The Chinese Boxer (11/9), and Disciples of Shaolin (12/14)

88 Films has long become the favored British and now US distributor for those who like unpretentious and unapologetically outrageous entertainment. From remastering a number of forgotten frighteners in crisp HD for the 88 ‘Slasher Classics’ range to bringing the best of Italian horror back to the mainstream, and even re-introducing Hong Kong genre mania back to the country’s shelves, they continue to create a world of high quality shock and awe for movie-addicts across the world to collect and cherish.

"For the last decade 88 Films has been one of the leading physical media collector's labels in the UK specializing in cult film releases packed with bonus features in beautiful packaging," said

Eric D. Wilkinson, Director of Home Video Sales and Acquisitions for MVD Entertainment Group. "For years, consumers here in North America had to import these releases if they wanted to add them to their collections, but all of that is about to change. MVD is the leading independent distribution partner of physical media collector's labels, and we not only proudly welcome 88 Films to our family but are thrilled to help introduce 88 Films to American consumers."

Richard Elliott, Managing Director of 88 Films, commented, “We are enormously excited to bring our 88 Films brand to the United States and in MVD we have found the perfect distribution partners. We will be releasing our usual fare of Slasher classics, Italian Genre titles and Martial Arts Cinema and we are so pleased to be joining the pantheon of amazing American indie blu-ray labels."

The following titles are the first releases for the US market via MVD.

The Gestapo's Last Orgy 

The Sickest Entry in the Nazisploitation Genre Coming to Blu-ray on October 19th

Still banned in the UK as one of the infamous Video Nasties, in the tradition of The Night Porter, Salon Kitty and Salo only far more depraved comes perhaps the most notorious Nazisploitation epic of them all! Daniela Levy (aka Italian TV presenter and future UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Daniela Poggi) stars as a beautiful young death camp prisoner forced into a nightmare of brutality, torment and sexual degradation. But will a Commandant's vilest urge trigger her ultimate vengeance? Marc Loud (aka Adriano Micantoni of Tomb Of Torture) co-stars in this fetid slice of filth-strudel also known as Last Orgy Of The Third Reich And Caligula Reincarnated As Hitler now presented on Blu-ray for the very first time and restored in 2K From the original negatives.

Bonus Materials

- Brand New 2K Restoration From the Original Camera Negatives

- Restored English and Italian LPCM Soundtracks

- Newly Translated English Subtitles

Complete and Uncut

- Audio Commentary by Critic And Author Samm Deighan

- Audio Commentary by Italian Movie Specialists Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thomson

Trailer: http://vimeo.com/547577895

The Chinese Boxer

See The Sweeping Hand of Death Strike Without Mercy!

Coming to Blu-ray on November 9th

From the golden age of Kung Fu movies, the legendary Shaw Brothers bring you an action-packed tale of revenge, mayhem and flying fists. When his martial arts school is viciously attacked by a rival gang of Japanese thugs, Lei Ming swears to bring them down with violent justice. Written, starring and directed by Jimmy Wang Yu, The Chinese Boxer (1970) is a fabulously fast-paced feature full of exquisite set-pieces and mind-blowing fight choreography.

A huge influence on the likes of Tarantino's Kill Bill (2003) and Bruce Lee's Fist of Fury (1972) this entertainingly savage story of resilience, skill and a battle against the odds, is one of the first true modern classics of the genre, focussing as it does on physical prowess and athletic proficiency over the more mythical elements of the wuxia era. An undoubted cult classic, this is a must for any serious collector of extreme Asian cinema and martial arts madness.

Bonus Materials

- High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio

- 2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack

- 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles

- Audio Commentary by Critic and Author Samm Deighan

- Interview with Wong Ching

- Open Hand Combat - David West on The Chinese Boxer

- US 'Hammer of God' TV Spot

Trailer: https://vimeo.com/563747759

Disciples of Shaolin

The Ultimate in Kung Fu... Only 1 Fighter Will Live!

Coming to Blu-ray on December 14th

Another Kung Fu vehicle from the infamous Shaw Brothers Studio, Disciples of Shaolin AKA Hong quan xiao zi, delivers a typically power-packed Hong Kong tale of enemy gangs and super cool fight scenes. When shaolin disciple Kuan Fung Yi (Sheng Fu) takes a job at a textile factory he soon becomes embroiled in a bitter and violent clash with the rival Manchu clan who run a neighbouring mill. As well delivering some impressive martial arts set pieces, Disciples of Shaolin also provides a political punch, underlining the abuse of workers and the corruption of cruel bosses. Fast, fierce and thought provoking, this is a must for collectors of extreme Asian cinema.

Bonus Materials

- High Definition (1080p) Presentation in 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio

- 2.0 DTS-HD MA English Soundtrack

- 2.0 DTS-HD MA Mandarin Soundtrack with newly translated English Subtitles

- Audio Commentary by Critic and Author Samm Deighan

- Audio Commentary by Mike Leeder and Arne Venema

- Interview with Shaw Bros Actor and Acclaimed Director Jamie Luk

- Theatrical Trailer

- Includes First Run Slipcase, Booklet and Poster

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0RoEyly8_E&t=6s

DEMONS I & II (Synapse Films Special Limited Edition Blu-ray Review/Comparison)

DEMONS I & II

Special Limited Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray

Label: Synapse Films
Duration: D1: 89 Minutes D2: 92 Minutes
Region Code: A
Rating: R
Audio: English DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo with Optional English SDH Subtitles
Video: 1080p Widescreen (1.66:1)
Director: Lamberto Bava
Cast: D1: Urbano Barberini, Natasha Hovey, Geretta Geretta, Bobby Rhodes D2: David Edwin Knight, Nancy Brilli, Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Asia Argento

It's starting to look like like Demons 1 & II films are Synapse's version of what the Evil Dead franchise was to Anchor Bay and now Lionsgate, and I say that in a loving way, because I have owned at one time or another every fucking version of the Evil Dead trilogy on digital home video, and was pleased as punch to buy every one of 'em! First Synapse have us the limited edition Blu-ray steelbooks, then we had the bare-bones standard version, now they are offering remastered Blu-ray and Ultra HD releases of both films!

DEMONS (1985)
In the splatter-tastic Demons (1985) a young woman named Cheryl (Natasha Hovey) is approached by a menacing looking guy (Michele Soavi, City of the Living Dead) wearing a metal mask in the Berlin subway she attempts flee but it turns out he's only trying to give her free passes to a movie screening at the Metropol Cinema. That night she is joined by her friend Kathy (Paola Cozzo, Demonia) and the teens arrive at the cinema where they meet two young flirtatious men; George (Urbano Barberini, The Black Cat) and Ken (Karl Zinny, Delirium).

Also in attendance are a bad-ass pimp (Bobby Rhodes, Demons 2) and two of his prostitutes, one of which is named Rosemary, played by Garetta Garetta (Rats: Night of Terror). In the lobby of the theater there is a movie prop of a samurai riding a motorcycle wielding a samurai sword and wearing creepy look kabuki metal mask. Rosemary pulls the mask off the mannequin and wears it for a second, but when taking it off it scratches her only slightly but somehow draws blood. I love it when the pimps reprimands here with "That's what you get for touching stuff"!, and the English-dubbing of the pimp is awesome.

As the movie begins we see that movie they're attending is a demonic horror film involving a group of teens and the prophecies of Nostradamus. It's a fun movie-with-a-movie device, as the story line in the movie unfolds it seems to mirror what is happening in the theater at the same time. The hooker that was scratched by the mask starts to feel ill and heads to the bathroom where she discovers the scratch has become grotesquely infected, the pulsating boil erupts in a spray of demonic jizz as she transforms into a gnarly toothed, green slime drooling demon with a fierce set of claws.

As the movie goers slowly become aware that something terrifying is happening in the theater they're helpless to escape as the doors have been barred. The pimp played by Bobby Rhodes takes charge of the situation hollering a barrage of quotable gems as they attempt to thwart the demonic siege that is well underway. The gruesome make-up effects from Sergio Stivaletti are plenty of fun with loads of torn flesh and gouged-eyes with an excess of blood and gore. A scene of a demon being birthed from the back of one of the infected is quite violent and fun - definitely a film that does not disappoint with a steady barrage of squirm inducing practical in-camera special effects.

Demons is directed by Lamberto Bava (Delirium) and produced and co-written by Dario Argento (Four Flies On Grey Velvet) and the great Italian screenwriter Dardano Sachetti (The Beyond). The film has a distinct Argento flavor about it with some great moody lighting and stylistic choices - this is a very vibrant film with some fantastic colors throughout. Away from the Argento influence it should be noted that Bava (son of the legendary Mario Bava, A Bay of Blood) is quite a good director in his own right with the films A Blade In The Dark (1983) and Macabre (1980) under his belt, that said it's the Demons movies he's probably most known for but I recommend digging into his other films to discover a few fun late-era Giallo entries.

The film has a few storytelling hiccups along the way such as the introduction of a group of coked-up punk rockers forty-minutes into the film whom add very little to the story other than some appreciated nudity. At time it does feel like a series of gore skits patched together and the pacing suffers at points but not enough to suck out the fun, because this is a party movie, a blast from start to finish. The onscreen action comes at you fast and furious with a fun sword-swinging spin on a motorcycle through the theater and a helicopter which crashes through the ceiling of the theater all set to a fun metal-infused soundtrack, this is a damn fun party film with an apocalyptic ending.

Demons (1985) is a classic Italian splatter film and a Hell of a fun watch, while it can be a bit disjointed at times - like so many Italian horror films, it earns high marks for the sweet gore and fist-pumping soundtrack. Demons is one of the best rock n' roll horror films out there, right up there with The Return of the Living Dead and Trick Or Treat, it never fails to deliver the demonic goods.

DEMONS 2 (1986)
At the start of the sequel the demonic plague unleashed in the first film bleeds over into the confines of high rise when a sad birthday girl is infected by her TV screen in a scene lifted straight outta David Cronenberg's Videodrome. Now transformed into a snarling, blood-spewing demon she attacks her party guests and more demonic mayhem ensues.

We have a nice change of venue as we go from the cinema of the first film to a high rise, which sort of brought to mind Cronenberg's Shivers. Another nice change is that the demonic possession is initially transferred via the medium of a TV screen and not a movie screen or the demonic metal mask from the first film. It's definitely a sequel that takes the Gremlins 2 approach of throwing everything and the kitchen sink into the sequel with the wonderful additions of demonic dog, Alien-esque acidic blood and a demonic child that all add new levels of absurd intensity to the demonic onslaught.

There are also quite a few nods to the original, I appreciated that they brought back bad-ass Bobby Rhodes who played the pimp in the first film, this time as an ass kicking gym instructor who leads a group of shirtless muscle heads and leg warmer wearing foxy ladies who find themselves trapped in the parking garage up against a horde of the demon-possessed, but sadly he meets a nut-shredding fate.

I loved the make-up effects of the demons in this sequel even more than the first film. I don't recall the demons in the first film spewing so much blood from their face, in fact some of the blood is acidic and eats through the floor and into the level below, some of which is lapped up by a cute dog who transforms into a snarling demon beast. Plus we have an infected child thrown into the mix - a pint-sized demon who torments an expectant mother before dying, at which time a winged baby demon is spawned from it's corpse!

The most memorable demon after the child is that of the sad birthday gal named Sally (Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni, Opera) who is the first to be infected by her TV and the further spreads the demonic plague as she tears birthday revelers apart. She gets a sweet transformation scene with the gnarly teeth and claws popping out from her fingertips. A top-notch sequel that amps up the insanity with fun gore gags and a fun soundtrack featuring the Smiths, the Cult and Peter Murphy among others.

Demons 2 is a fun amped up sequel with nods to Cronenberg's Shivers and Videodrome plus Gremlins and Alien among others. A bit sillier than the original with a non-stop parade of awesome gore from start to finish, a sequel that in my opinion stands toe-to-toe with the original.

Audio/Video: Both Demons and Demons 2 are presented in

1080p HD framed in 1.66:1 widescreen, newly remastered from the new 4K restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives. For Demons 1 & 2 we get both the full-length original cut in English and Italian, plus the shorter U.S. version of Demons featuring alternate dubbing and sound effects. The new scans from the OCN looks absolutely luminescent, the new Blu-rays are an appreciable uptick in quality with lush grain present throughout, better resolved fine details and clarity, deeper more nuanced blacks levels and the colors are refreshed. Both films look gorgeous and I can only imaging the 4K UHD versions of these films must be stunning with the Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) color-grading and increased resolution. I will definitely be upgrading to the UHD set based on the enhancements I can see on the Blu-ray.

Audio, for Demons we have an uncompressed English and Italian DTS-HD 2.0 and 5.1 audio mixes on the original cut derived from the archival audio masters, plus English DTS-HD MA 2.0 U.S. theatrical mono audio newly remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films. Demons 2 has uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 5.1 and Italian 5.1 or 2.0 audio mixes derived from the original archival audio masters, plus uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 true stereo theatrical mix remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films. Both films feature newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English versions, and newly translated English subtitles for the Italian versions. The audio sounds crisp and dynamic throughout with terrific soundtrack selection, including Motley Crue, Billy Idol and Accept on the first film alongside a fantastic Claudio Simonetti (Goblin), and a more new wave/goth tinged soundtrack on the sequel with choice cuts from Dead Can Dance, The Cult and The Smiths, with a score by Simon Boswell (Hardware).

Onto the extras, I will first note that there are extras absent from the Blu-ray edition that are present on the UHD release. What we do not get are Monstrous Memories: Luigi Cozzi on Demons (29 min), Splatter Spaghetti Style: interview with long-time Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi, Carnage at the Cinema: Lamberto Bava and His Splatter Masterpiece (34 min), and the Profondo Jones: The Critical Perspective (13 min). Absent from the Demons 2 Blu-ray are Bava to Bava: interview with Luigi Cozzi on the history of Italian horror, Demonic Influences: Federico Zampaglione Speaks (10 min), The New Blood of Italian Horror featuring Sergio Stivaletti (16 min). So if you're a bonus features nut definitely upgrade to the UHD, though it looks like some of these UHD exclusive extras do appear on the previous Synapse steelbook editions, and I have the Bava to Bava featurette on my Arrow Video Steelbook edition as well.

Synapse always go above and beyond with their releases, and since this is their third iteration of Demons 1 & 2 they have not only upgraded the picture and audio, but offer some new value-added extras to sweeten the deal, which I am appreciative of. On the Demons disc we have a brand new Audio Commentary by Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell’s Belles podcast, who turn in a top-notch discussion of the splatter-classic, plus we get a new 27-minute visual essay, Produced by Dario Argento, by author and critic Michael Mackenzie exploring Argento's career as a producer. For Demons 2 we get a new Audio Commentary by film critic Travis Crawford, and another 27-minute video essay, Together and Apart on the space and technology in Demons and Demons 2 by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas. Additionally we have hours of archival extras ported over from the previous Synapse steelbook editions.

The 2-disc Blu-ray release arrives in a dual-hubbed clear Scanavo keepcase with a reversible sleeve of artwork featuring slipcover packaging featuring new artwork by Juan José Saldarriaga and Chris MacGibbon. Inside we get
some cool ephemera by way of a reproduction of the original movie ticket from Demons with information about the transfer on the reverse side, plus we get a Demons 2 birthday party invitation and a fold-out poster of Demons artwork from Wes Benscoter, which is the artwork Synapse had previously used for their Demons steelbook edition. The disc themselves also have artwork, with the Demons disc featuring a cool illustration of a severed demon hand holding theater goers in it's clutches, which was also incorporated into the interior artwork of the Demons steelbook.

Special Features:
Disc One: Demons
- Two versions of the film: the full-length original cut in English and Italian, and the shorter U.S. version featuring alternate dubbing and sound effects
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes on the original cut derived from the archival audio masters
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 U.S. theatrical mono audio newly remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films
- NEW! Audio commentary by critics Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell’s Belles podcast
- Audio commentary with director Lamberto Bava, SPFX artist Sergio Stivaletti, composer Claudio Simonetti and actress Geretta Geretta
- NEW! Produced by Dario Argento: a new visual essay by author and critic Michael Mackenzie exploring the legendary filmmaker’s career as a producer (27 min)
- Dario’s Demon Days: interview with writer/producer Dario Argento (11 min)
- Defining an Era in Music: interview with Claudio Simonetti (9 min)
- Dario and the Demons: Producing Monster Mayhem (16 min)
- Splatter Stunt Rock: interview with Ottaviano Dell’Acqua (9 min)
- Original Italian Theatrical Trailer (2 min)
- Original English International Theatrical Trailer (2 min)
- U.S. Theatrical Trailer (2 min)
- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version
- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version

Disc 2: Demons 2
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 5.1 & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes derived from the original archival audio masters
- Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 true stereo theatrical mix remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films
- New audio commentary by film critic Travis Crawford.
- Creating Creature Carnage: interview with Sergio Stivaletti (20 min)
- The ‘Demons’ Generation: Roy Bava discusses a legacy in lacerations (35 min)
- Screaming for a Sequel: The Delirious Legacy of DEMONS 2 with Lamberto Bava (16 min)
- A Soundtrack for Splatter: interview with composer Simon Boswell (27 min)
- NEW! Together and Apart: a new visual essay on the space and technology in DEMONS and DEMONS 2 by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (27 min)
- Original Italian Theatrical Trailer (3 min)
- Original English Theatrical Trailer (3 min)
- Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version
- Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version

Synapse Films 2-disc Limited Edition Blu-ray release is an outstanding upgrade for these classic 80's Italian splatter flicks, this is a terrific upgrade, and I say this as someone who already owns the Arrow Video and Synapse Steelbook Blu-ray editions, and as someone who also just ordered the Synapse UHD release because this restoration looks to good not to own on Ultra HD! That said, if you're not UHD enabled yet these Blu-ray transfers offer an appreciable upgrade that are still worth ponying up for.

Screenshot Comparison:

DEMONS

Top: Synapse Blu-ray (2013)

Bottom: Synapse Blu-ray (2021)

DEMONS 2

Top: Synapse Blu-ray (2013)

Bottom: Synapse Blu-ray (2021)

Blue Underground to release THE TOOLBOX MURDERS (1978) on 4K UHD on January 18th 2022

        

THE TOOLBOX MURDERS (1978)

4K UHD + Blu-ray

Label: Blue Underground

Release Date: January 18, 2022

Duration: 94 Minutes

Region Code: All

Video: 2160p UHD Widescreen (1.66:1)

Audio: English Dolby Atmos; English: 5.1 DTS-HD; English: 1.0 DTS-HD

Director: Dennis Donnelly

Cast: Cameron Mitchell, Pamelyn Ferdin, Wesley Eure, Nicolas Beauvy, Aneta Corsaut, Marianne Walter

Bit By Bit By Bit… He Carved A Nightmare!

In a quiet apartment complex in Los Angeles, a deranged handyman goes on a killing spree, savagely murdering ‘immoral’ women with the tools of his trade – claw-hammers, screwdrivers, power drills and even a deadly nail gun! But these gruesome massacres are just the beginning of this landmark epic of violence and depravity that was vilified by critics, banned by censors, and treasured by splatter fans worldwide. This is… THE TOOLBOX MURDERS!

Cameron Mitchell (BLOOD AND BLACK LACE), Wesley Eure (LAND OF THE LOST), Aneta Corsaut (THE BLOB), Marianne Walter (adult film star Kelly Nichols) and former child actress Pamelyn Ferdin (THE BEGUILED) star in this notorious sickie. Now experience one of the most shocking exploitation films of all time at its bloody best, as THE TOOLBOX MURDERS has been newly scanned in 4K 16-bit from its uncut original negative, with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio, and gushing with new and archival Extras!

THE TOOLBOX MURDERS Restored HD Trailer: https://youtu.be/GMRwBup9aQw

Extra Features / Sell Points  

Disc 1 (4K UHD Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras:

- Audio Commentary #1 with Producer Tony DiDio, Director of Photography Gary Graver and Star Pamelyn Ferdin

- NEW! Audio Commentary #2 with Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson

- Theatrical Trailer

- TV Spot

- Radio Spots

Disc 2 (Blu-ray) Feature Film + Extras:

- Audio Commentary #1 with Producer Tony DiDio, Director of Photography Gary Graver and Star Pamelyn Ferdin

- NEW! Audio Commentary #2 with Film Historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson

- NEW! Drill Sergeant – Interview with Director Dennis Donnelly

- NEW! Tools Of The Trade – Interview with Star Wesley Eure

- NEW! Flesh And Blood – Interview with Actress Kelly Nichols

- I Got Nailed In THE TOOLBOX MURDERS – Interview with Actress Marianne Walter

- NEW! Slashback Memories – David Del Valle Remembers Cameron Mitchell

- NEW! “They Know I Have Been Sad” – Video Essay by Film Historian Amanda Reyes and Filmmaker Chris O'Neill

- Theatrical Trailer

- TV Spot

- Radio Spots

- NEW! Poster & Still Gallery

Sell Points:

- The original exploitation classic returns on 4K Ultra High Definition Blu-ray Disc!

- WORLD PREMIERE! New 4K 16-Bit Restoration from the uncut original negative

- UHD features 2160p Ultra HD Resolution and Dolby Vision HDR, with Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio

- Remastered Blu-ray features 1080p HD Resolution, with Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio

- Gushing with NEW and archival Extras

- Limited Edition embossed slipcover (First Pressing Only)

- National Print Advertising and extensive Online Exposure

- Stars Cameron Mitchell (BLOOD AND BLACK LACE, SILENT SCREAM), Wesley Eure (LAND OF THE LOST, CHOMPS), Aneta Corsaut (THE BLOB, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW’s Helen Crump), Marianne Walter (aka adult film star Kelly Nichols), and former child star Pamelyn Ferdin (THE BEGUILED, CHARLOTTE’S WEB)

- 2003 remake directed by horror legend Tobe Hooper (THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE, POLTERGEIST)

- For fans of MANIAC, THE PROWLER, and THE SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE 

Film Reviews:

“Generates Some Genuinely Scary Moments!” – Stephen King

“The Ultimate Exploitation Sickie!” – The Psychotronic Encyclopedia of Film

“A Sleazy Masterpiece Of Cinematic Horrors… Sickly Disturbing And Creepy As Hell!” – Monsters At Play

“A Pleasantly Unsettling Cult Item That Rises Above Its Scurrilous Reputation!” – Sex Gore Mutants

THE EPITAPH VOL. 44 - DC SUPERHEROES & AMC ZOMBIE TV EDITION!

THE EPITAPH VOL. 44

DC SUPERHEROES AND AMC ZOMBIE TV EDITION!

BATWOMAN: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON (2020)

THE FLASH - THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON (2021) 

THE WALKING DEAD WORLD BEYOND: SEASON ONE (2021)

 BLACK LIGHTINING - THE FOURTH AND FINAL SEASON (2021) 

BATWOMAN: THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON (2020) 

Label: WBHE
Region Code: A
Rating: Unrated 

Duration: 793 Minutes

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

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1) 

Cast:  Javicia Leslie, Rachel Skarsten, Meagan Tandy, Nicole Kang, Camrus Johnson, Dougray Scott 

WBHE has released Batwoman - The Complete Second Season on an attractive looking 3-disc set, and while I'm usually a sucker for these DC shows on the CW Batwoman has been one that I feel they didn't nail the tone from the start. It was a great looking season, bit it didn't hit me the right way to hook me into it. I thought that the way that they replaced Ruby Rose after she exited the show with Javicia Leslie as Batwoman in season two was a good move, but while I thought it was an uptick over the first season the storylines and writing were undeniably middling, and still way too full of melodrama and not ass-kicking enough for me to love it. Even with Kate Kane MIA there was an overabundance of  Kane family drama - OMG, that search for Kate Kane continued for the whole damn season, and there was still not enough rogues gallery action. That said, I dig the storylines with The False Face Society and Black Mask, but overall I feel the rogues gallery action has been way too weak. Here's hoping the third season kicks it up a notch and dumps the Kane family BS and gives us the vigilante superhero action I know we all want. All 18 episodes arrive on a three-disc set in 1080p HD with DTS-HD 5.1 with optional English subtitles, and it looks and sound terrific, quite a  bit better than it appeared streaming, which is how I first watched the season. We also get a handful of extras, an episode guide printed on the reverse side of the wrap, plus a slipcover and a redemption code for a digital copy of the season. 

Special Features: 
- Deleted Scenes (Exclusive to Blu-ray and DVD) (10 min) 
- Gag Reel (Exclusive to Blu-ray and DVD) (8 min) 
 -Villains Analyzed (16 min) 
- Never Alone: Heroes and Allies (21 min)

THE FLASH - THE COMPLETE SEVENTH SEASON (2021) 

Label: WBHE

Region Code: A

Rating: Unrated

Duration: 762 Minutes 

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

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1) 

Cast: Grant Gustin, Candice Patton, Danielle Panabaker, Carlos Valdes, Danielle Nicolet, Kayla Compton, Brandon McKnight, Jesse L. Martin 

The CW's long-running The Flash series has been my flagship DC-on-TV property, I wasn't Green Arrow fan myself, but I was into The Flash from the start. Season seven  continues and caps the Mirrorverse cliff-hanger from the previous season, and also features Flash having to resurrect the Speed Force, with the return of past season favorites, including Reverse-Flash who is still my favorite villain from the series, plus Ultraviolet, Psycho-Pirate, Rainbow Rider and the big baddie; Godspeed, plus the return of Jay Garrick, Barry and Iris's future-daughter Nora and her little brother. Another decent season full of Team Flash melodrama and plenty of speedster action, of all the CW shows I think it balances fan-service action and superhero melodrama the best, but it can be a bit saccharine and goofy at times, but that's all part of it's charm. Some of the Godspeed clone stuff went on a bit long but otherwise I thought it was very solid, and it ends with a nice tease for season eight. The Flash: The Complete Seventh Season 3-disc Blu-ray set presents all 18-episodes in 1080p HD 1.78:1 widescreen with DTS-HD  MA 5.1, it's a very handsome package aside from the eco-case, we get a sleeve of artwork that feature the episode index on the reverse side. We also get a slipcover, and inside there's a redemption code for an HD digital copy of the film. 

Special Features: 

- Deleted Scenes (22 min) (Exclusive to Blu-ray and DVD)

- Gag Reel (10 min)(Exclusive to Blu-ray and DVD)

- The Journey Ends: Carlos and Tom (10 min) 

- Never Alone: Heroes and Allies (21 min) 

- 2020 DC FanDome: The Flash (Watchverse) (34 min) 

THE WALKING DEAD WORLD BEYOND: SEASON ONE 

Label: Acorn Media International 

Region Code: Region-Free

Rating: Cert. 15 

Duration: 466 Minutes 

Audio: English 

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1)

Cast: Aliyah Royale, Alexa Mansour, Nicolas Cantu, Hal Cumpston, Julia Ormond 

With the last season of The Walking Dead nearing completion here we have what looks to be an attempt to expand the scope of TWD universe with a youth-oriented series. The Walking Dead World Beyond explores the lives of four teenagers raised in the post-apocalyptic z-word world, its pretty much all they've ever known, so it's an interesting perspective. Set it Nebraska ten years after the apocalypse we catch up with high school student Iris (Aliyah Royale), and her rebel sister Hope (Alexa Mansour) whom reside in the Campus Colony, a pretty sheltered city of survivors who live a relatively safe and secure life behind secure walls. The sisters team-up with friends Elton (Nicolas Cantu) and Silas (Hal Cumpston) to sneak away from their community to adventure cross-country to meet-up with the sister's scientist father, Leo Bennett (Joe Holt), who was recruited by the CRM (Civic Republic Military), who are either humanity's last best hope or perhaps something a bit more nefarious. The idea of a YA version of THW really did not appeal to me when it was announced, but neither did Fear The Waking Dead and I've grown pretty fond of that series, and heck, I've stuck with TWD for eleven seasons for better or worse. Having been a TWD hanger-on I took in season one with an open mind, and I didn't love it, it's a bit clunky, but it still offers some cool visuals and apocalyptic drama filtered through the lens of teenage characters, which is different (that's good), and also a lot less gory (that's bad). I'm not one-hundred percent on board with show yet, but as the second season is now airing I'm still hanging in there and will give it another shot, and hopefully it pulls me in a bit more than the first season now that I've been introduced to the main cast of characters and can see the storyline unfolding.  All ten-episodes of the first season are spread across two Blu-ray discs in 1080p HD widescreen (1.78:1) with English DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio with optional English subtitles, it looks solid in HD and the surround is fairly active, and we get 33-minutes of extras. Acorn have been doing solid work delivering the Shudder originals on Blu-ray in the UK and they're selection of horror TV is also quite substantial, great to see them bring this TWD expansion series in the fray. 

Special Features: 

- A Look at the Series (4 min) 

- Meet the Characters (6 min) 

- Making of Season 1 (23 min) 

Black Lightning: The Fourth and Final Season (2021) 

Label: WBHE

Region Code: A

Rating: Unrated

Duration: 547 Minutes

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

Video: 1080p HD Widescreen (1.78:1) 

Cast: Nafessa Williams, China Anne McClain, Christine Adams, James Remar, Jordan Calloway, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III

It's now on disc, the fourth and final season of the CW's Black Lightning, a series that I have quite enjoyed with Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams, The Doom Generation) as Black Lightning, the electrically charged superhero of the community of Freeland, This was not a comic property I ever read so I went into the series completely cold and with no baggage, and I dug it from start and had fun with right up to the finish. The series started out as it's own thing, not connected to the Arrowverse until season three with the CW's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. In later seasons Pierce is joined by his superpowered daughters Anissa (Nafessa Williams, Twin Peaks) as both Blackbird and Thunder, and Jennifer (China Anne McClain, Hubie Halloween) as Lightning, as the fiery teen whose body generates pure electrical energy. McClain was seemingly replaced at the end of season three by Laura Kariuki (The Wonder Years), but the final addresses the weird transformative switch-up with mostly good results. Other series-long characters like characters Peter Gambi (James Remar, Dexter) and the metahuman Painkiller (Jordan Calloway, Riverdale) figure strongly into the final season, including a long-brewing  final showdown between Black Lightning and gangster Tobias Whale (Marvin “Krondon” Jones III) that does not disappoint! The character of Painkiller sort of annoyed me in earlier seasons but I really came around on him the last two seasons, he's a very interestingly conflicted character. Black Lightning has always been a kick-ass and stylish series and this final season does not disappoint, managing to tidy up some long-running storylines and passing the torch to the next generation of heroes. Sadly, this is the last season so the outlook of any of the characters showing up again is iffy, but you never know, I've heard rumors of spin-offs being shopped around, including a Painkiller series, ands maybe we will get some cross-over guest appearances in the future which would be A-OK with me. Black Lightning stood apart from the rest of the CW Arrowverse in a good way, it's smaller scale community based superhero-ing with nefarious forces from within and without offered something unique and appreciated, it will be missed! All 12-episodes arrives on 3-disc Blu-ray from WB in handsome 1080p HD and DTS-HD MA 5.1 with optional subtitles, plus a pair of featurettes. There should have been more extras though, this is not a proper send of for such a solid superhero show. 

Special Features: 

- DC FanDome Panel: Black Lightning (32 min) 

- A Rendezvous In Georgia (6 min)