Saturday, October 27, 2007

'Hearts of Darkness' Finally On DVD




Finally Paramount is releasing Eleanor Coppola's 'Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse' on DVD on 11/20. This is the amazing documentary that Coppola's wife made while Francis was making 'Apocalypse Now'. It is among the best making of's of a film ever made. This isn't the glamor filled lifestyle of making movies. It's the dirt and grime of making one.

The DVD will have an audio commentary with Francis and Eleanor Coppola plus a documentary called 'CODA: Thirty Years Later' which continues the story, plus an introduction to CODA by Eleanor. Even if you don't like 'Apocalypse Now' you will love this documentary.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Rob Zombie's Halloween DVD Details



From Fangoria.com:

The Weinstein Company and Genius Entertainment gave Fango the first word on the final specs for its DVD releases of Rob Zombie’s HALLOWEEN, coming December 18. The movie will be issued in both the R-rated theatrical version and a widescreen director’s cut running 11 minutes longer; the former will be presented in both widescreen and fullscreen, while the latter will be letterboxed only, and all will have Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtracks. Both will be double-disc editions chock full of special features:

• Audio commentary by writer/director Zombie
• 17 deleted scenes with optional Zombie commentary
• Alternate ending
• Re-Imagining HALLOWEEN documentary
• A Conversation With Rob Zombie featurette
• Meet the Cast featurette
• The Many Masks of Michael Myers featurette
• Bloopers
• Casting session footage
• Laurie Strode screen test

Retail price for both versions will be $29.95; cover art is coming any day now! —Michael Gingold

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

A Few Things

I attended the Music Box Massacre III 24 hour marathon this past weekend at The Music Box theatre here in Chicago. It was a great time and I got to meet Fred Dekker (writer and director of 'Night of the Creeps' and 'The Monster Squad') and Coralina Cataldi Tassoni (star of 'Demons 2' and is in Dario Aregento's 'Opera' and the upcoming Third Mother movie). I definitely need sleep afterwards but it was a blast.

Today 'Planet Terror' came out on DVD. I can't recommend it enough.

Casting for my film is coming along. I have so many headshots it's insane. I will be doing auditions in the next week or two. I'll be starting a blog to cover just the film so I'll link it when it's ready.

Friday, October 12, 2007

I Am Still Here

Sorry about not being around much lately. I am hard at work on my own film which is taking up a lot of my time. I will be starting a blog to cronicle that so I will link to it once it is set up.

New 'Evil Dead' Special Edition DVD

A new edition of 'The Evil Dead' is heading to DVD again. Still no 'Within The Woods' though but I heard it was due to some kind of rights issue which is why it's never been released. Anyhow, for the 126th time we have another release of Sam Raimi's classic but it does seem like a great edition. Originally this was going to be in a special packaging shaped like the cabin. Not sure if they are still doing that or not. Here is the release thanks to Fangoria.com.

Anchor Bay Entertainment gave Fango the first word on the specs for THE EVIL DEAD ULTIMATE EDITION, which streets December 18. Yep, it’s another DVD release of Sam Raimi’s classic, and this one’s by far the most fully loaded of the bunch: a three-disc package with a wealth of new features. The movie itself will be presented in both widescreen on Disc One and full-frame on Disc Two; here’s what you’ll get supplement-wise:

Disc One:
• One by One We Will Take You: The Untold Saga of THE EVIL DEAD: new featurette
• Audio commentary by writer/director Raimi and producer Robert Tapert

Disc Two:
• THE EVIL DEAD: Treasures from the Cutting Room Floor: new collection of reconstructed and restored deleted scenes
• Audio commentary by star Bruce Campbell

Disc Three:
• Life After Death: The Ladies of THE EVIL DEAD: new featurette with Ellen Sandweiss, Betsy Baker and Theresa Tilly
• The Ladies of THE EVIL DEAD Meet Bruce Campbell: new chat between Sandweiss, Baker, Tilly and Bruce
• Unconventional: new featurette in which cast and crew discuss horror conventions and more
• At the Drive-In: new no-holds-barred Q&A with a drive-in audience of hardcore fans
• Reunion Panel: new featurette spotlighting the once-in-a-lifetime gathering at Chicago’s Flashback Weekend
• Discovering THE EVIL DEAD: featurette on THE EVIL DEAD’s British home video release and its place in the “Video Nasties” debate
• Makeup test
• Trailer
• TV spots
• Still gallery
• Poster/memorabilia gallery

Plus an Easter egg or two. Definitely worth the upgrade, wouldn’t you say? Retail price for all this is $34.97; cover art is coming soon. —Michael Gingold

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things' DVD Recalled

Big apologies to the two people that read this. I have been knee deep in various productions.

Some recall news on the new 'Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things' DVD.

From The Digital Bits:

One last DVD note today: VCI has informed us that an error has been found in their new Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things: Exhumed Edition. An incorrect master was accidentally used that was cut short by several minutes and that wasn't properly video corrected. They've recalled all the discs and are busy replicating corrected ones. Anyone who obtained a bad disc can contact a VCI Customer Service rep to arrange an exchange at 800-331-4077 or vci@vcient.com. Exchange instructions will soon appear on their website as well. Our hats off to VCI for addressing this issue so quickly.

'Children Shouldn't Play With Dead Things

One last DVD note today: VCI has informed us that an error has been found in their new Children Shouldn't Play with Dead Things: Exhumed Edition. An incorrect master was accidentally used that was cut short by several minutes and that wasn't properly video corrected. They've recalled all the discs and are busy replicating corrected ones. Anyone who obtained a bad disc can contact a VCI Customer Service rep to arrange an exchange at 800-331-4077 or vci@vcient.com. Exchange instructions will soon appear on their website as well. Our hats off to VCI for addressing this issue so quickly.

Monday, August 27, 2007

Poltergeist Special Edition and Twilight Zone The Movie



Warner Bros. has finally announced a new 'Poltergeist: 25th Anniversary Edition' DVD for release on 10/9 (SRP $19.97). It'll have a remastered anamorphic widescreen transfer, along with the 'They Are Here: The Real World of Poltergeists Revealed' documentary. Not sure if there will be more extras on it. I was hoping for a great two disc set but my guess is with all of the drama surrounding this movie I'm sure getting people to talk about it is a little rough.



On the same day Warner Bros. releases for the first time on DVD 'Twilight Zone The Movie'(SRP $19.97). This release seems to have no features. I'm not even sure if there will be a trailer. Too bad with all of the talent involved.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

'Day Watch' DVD Details




20th Century Fox releases the Timur Bekmambetov film 'Day Watch', the sequel to 'Night Watch', on DVD on October 30. It'll be the unrated extended cut in anamorphic widescreen and includes both the Russian language version and the super cool English subtitled version. If you haven't seen either film then you must see it with the subtitles. They have taken subtitling to a new level. Extras include a commentary track with Bekmambetov, a making of, and trailers. Retail price is $27.98.

If you missed this in it's limited theatrical run then definitely check it out on DVD. If you haven't seen either then go rent 'Night Watch' now.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Saw Trilogy Box Set




Fangoria.com reports on the upcoming Saw III director's cut and Saw Trilogy box set.

Lionsgate Home Entertainment gave Fango a peek at the cover art for both a two-DVD SAW III Director’s Cut edition and a SAW Trilogy boxed set containing the double-disc editions of all three films, each arriving October 23, 2007. Jigsaw’s third go-round will have additional footage in its new 16x9 widescreen transfer, plus the following extras:

Disc One:
• Audio Commentary by director Darren Lynn Bousman and actor J. Larose
• Audio commentary by producer/co-writer Leigh Whannell
• Exclusive villains’ commentary by actors Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith

Disc Two:
• Jigsaw’s Plan trivia game
• Hydrovibe music video featuring Smith
• Choose the Death feature
• Looking Tortured Make-up: An FX How-To featurette
• Filmmaker Faves
• Sneak Peek at SAW IV

Retail price is $26.98. The SAW Trilogy set will be a limited-edition release packaged in a 3-D “puppet head” box, priced at $49.98. —Michael Gingold

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

'Invasion Of The Body Snatchers' DVD Out Now



Although a lot of places were listing the release date for the special edition of the 1978 Philip Kaufman version of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' as September 11 it seems to have been moved up to this week without notice.

A friend of mine had preordered from Deep Discount and received it. I was stunned but sure enough when I went to Best Buy to get the tenth season of 'The Simpsons' there sat on the shelf was the 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' DVD. It's a 2 disc set with commentary and a bunch of documentaries. Best Buy was selling it for $16.99 though I think it's their normal price.

So if you wanted this then no need to wait because it is out now.

Monday, August 6, 2007

World Of Warcraft Expansion Announced



In more gaming news, the new expansion pack for 'World of Warcraft' has been announced at Blizzcon. The even put on by Blizzard Entertainment the company behind 'World of Warcraft' and 'Starcraft'. It is called 'Wrath of Lich King'. There won't be any new races added but the main thing is a whole new island which is huge. Plus the level caps are now at 80.

No word yet on a release date but it looks like they've come a long way already. Though I would expect a Christmas time release or early 2008.


"Butters! Go create something else!"

GTA IV Delayed Until 2008



According to Gamespot 'Grand Theft Auto IV' will not be coming out in October but has instead been delayed until sometime next year. Right now it's listed as 1st quarter 2008.

Speculation is all over the place. Some say the game just isn't done yet. Others say the Xbox 360 version is on date but the Playstation 3 version is taking longer. Since the developer signed a contract with Sony that they couldn't release the Xbox version sooner than the PS3 version then if there is a delay then both versions will have to wait.

Personally I don't care as long as the game itself is worth it. I'd rather they take the extra time to make sure the game is up to par. If a 'GTA' game comes out and is not good or has many bugs in it then the entire franchise may be hurt. Do I want to play the game sooner than later? Absolutely! But I also want the game to be as close to perfect as it can be.

Thursday, August 2, 2007

Kubrick DVD Covers

Here are the covers for three of the new Stanley Kubrick DVD's coming out on October 23rd. '2001 A Space Odessey', 'A Clockwork Orange', and 'The Shining'.



Wednesday, August 1, 2007

'Grindhouse' DVD Covers

Dread Central has these possible DVD covers that were on display at Comic-Con for the upcoming DVD releases of the 'Grindhouse' flicks 'Planet Terror' and 'Death Proof'. Looks like there will be a regular DVD cover and a metal casing. Looks like both releases are the same except for the metal casing. Which is ... you know ... metal.






Here is a better quality one of the 'Death Proof' cover.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Rodriguez A Go With 'Machete'



Despite the poor box office of 'Grindhouse' Robert Rodriguez is going to make a feature length version of his faux trailer for the film 'Machete'. I can't wait for it. Hopefully he'll make it for very little money. The problem with 'Grindhouse' (despite Harvey Weinstein saying we here in the midwest didn't "get the double feature" aspect of it - cuz we b 2 dum to no that their b 2 movis) was that it cost way too much. Almost $55 million? Inspired by films that mainly cost under $1 million? The entire budget should have been $30 million or under. That's my take on it anyway. Rodriguez should make it for $10 million or under but go all out with it.

Just my two cents.

From Beyond, The Burning, ROTLD DVD Details

Fangoria has details on the upcoming DVD's of 'From Beyond, 'The Burning', and the rereleased 'Return of the Living Dead'.





Fango just got ahold of the final DVDetails for the special editions of FROM BEYOND, THE BURNING and the rerelease of RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, all coming September 11 from MGM Home Video through Fox Home Video. Stuart Gordon’s FROM BEYOND, of course, contains the restored, uncut feature in a 1.85:1 transfer with Dolby 4.0 Surround sound, and comes with the following extras:

• Audio commentary by Gordon, producer Brian Yuzna and stars Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton
• The Director’s Perspective featurette
• The Editing Room “Lost and Found” featurette
• Interview with Composer Richard Band
• Photo Montage
• Storyboard-to-film comparisons:
-Introduction
-Appearance of Dr. Pretorius
-Death of Bubba
-Hospital Escape
-Katherine Frees Herself

The BURNING disc also restores the feature to its uncut gory glory, with a 1.85:1 transfer backed by mono sound, and these supplements:

• Audio commentary by director Tony Maylam and genre journalist Alan Jones
• Blood ‘n’ Fire Memories featurette with Tom Savini
• Photo gallery
• Theatrical trailer

The new RETURN disc includes the previous 1.85:1 transfer with mono sound, the bonus features from the original disc plus some new ones (starred below). The complete rundown:

• Audio commentary by director Dan O’Bannon and production designer William Stout
• Audio commentary by the cast, crew and undead*
• RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD: The Dead Have Risen featurette*
• The Decade of Darkness featurette*
• Designing the Dead featurette
• Zombie Subtitle Stream*
• Bloody trailer
• Even bloodier trailer*

Each disc retails for $19.98. —Michael Gingold

Sunday, July 29, 2007

The Dark Knight Teaser

The teaser trailer for next summers 'Batman Begins' sequel, 'The Dark Knight', hits the net. It's very much a teasr since they're still shooting it here in Chicago so there is no footage. Still cool though. To watch it Click Here.

Friday, July 27, 2007

'Grindhouse' DVD Details



Some of the specs are finally coming out for 'Grindhouse'. Though as of right now it looks like both films will be released seperately. I also don't see anything on the trailers that played between the two films. These are either not the final specs or a larger set is still coming.

'Death Proof' comes out September 18th with an extended cut featuring 30 extra minutes plus:

Finding Quentin's Gals

The Guys of Death Proof

Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike

Introducing Zoe Bell|

Quentin's Greatest Collaborator: Editor Sally Menke

Double Dare trailer

International Poster Gallery


On October 16th we get 'Planet Terror' with extra footage and these extras:

Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Robert Rodriguez

International trailer

Deleted Scenes

Cooking School

10-Minute Film School

The Stunts

The Make-up and Effects

The Badass Babes

The Renegade Guys

The Costumes

The Production Design


Like with other Rodriguez DVD's the 'Planet Terror' disc looks packed. The 'Death Proof' one seems decent if not a little light. I still have a feeling there will be a big box set coming. I just hope they announce it before these hit the shelves.


*Note: the above picture is not the DVD cover.

Thursday, July 26, 2007

'Blade Runner' DVD Info



It has finally gotten the offical release information along with packaging. There will be three different releases but the only one that counts is the 5 disc listed below.

BLADE RUNNER: THE FINAL CUT

Debuts on DVD December 18 with Exclusive New York/LA Theatrical Launch October 5

Disc One
RIDLEY SCOTT'S ALL-NEW "FINAL CUT" VERSION OF THE FILM

Restored and remastered with added & extended scenes, added lines, new and cleaner special effects and all new 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio. Also includes:

- Commentary by Ridley Scott

- Commentary by Executive Producer/ Co-Screenwriter Hampton Fancher and Co-Screenwriter David Peoples; Producer Michael Deely and production executive Katherine Haber

- Commentaries by visual futurist Syd Mead; production designer Lawrence G. Paull, art director David L. Snyder and special photographic effects supervisors Douglas Trumbull, Richard Yuricich and David Dryer

Disc Two
DOCUMENTARY - DANGEROUS DAYS: MAKING BLADE RUNNER

A feature-length authoritative documentary revealing all the elements that shaped this hugely influential cinema landmark. Cast, crew, critics and colleagues give a behind-the-scenes, in-depth look at the film -- from its literary roots and inception through casting, production, visuals and special effects to its controversial legacy and place in Hollywood history.

Disc Three
1982 THEATRICAL VERSION

This is the version that introduced U.S. movie-going audiences to a revolutionary film with a new and excitingly provocative vision of the near-future. It contains Deckard/Harrison Ford's character narration and has Deckard and Rachel's (Sean Young) "happy ending" escape scene.

1982 INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Also used on U.S. home video, laserdisc and cable releases up to 1992. This version is not rated, and contains some extended action scenes in contrast to the Theatrical Version.

1992 DIRECTOR'S CUT

The Director's Cut omits Deckard's voiceover narration and removes the "happy ending" finale. It adds the famously-controversial "unicorn" sequence, a vision that Deckard has which suggests that he, too, may be a replicant.

Disc Four
BONUS DISC - "Enhancement Archive"

- Featurette The Electric Dreamer: Remembering Philip K. Dick
- Featurette Sacrificial Sheep: The Novel vs. The Film
- Philip K. Dick: The Blade Runner Interviews (Audio)
- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep Cover Gallery (Images)
- The Art of Blade Runner (Image Galleries)
- Featurette Signs of the Times: Graphic Design
- Featurette Fashion Forward: Wardrobe & Styling
- Screen Tests: Rachel & Pris
- Featurette The Light That Burns: Remembering Jordan Cronenweth
- Unit Photography Gallery
- Deleted & Alternate Scenes
- 1982 Promotional Featurettes
- Trailers & TV Spots
- Featurette Promoting Dystopia: Rendering the Poster Art
- Marketing & Merchandise Gallery (Images)
- Featurette Deck-A-Rep: The True Nature of Rick Deckard
- Featurette Nexus Generation: Fans & Filmmakers

Disc Five
WORKPRINT VERSION

This rare version of the film is considered by some to be the most radically different of all the Blade Runner cuts. It includes an altered opening scene, no Deckard narration until the final scenes, no "unicorn" sequence, no Deckard/Rachel "happy ending," altered lines between Batty (Rutger Hauer) and his creator Tyrell (Joe Turkell), alternate music and much more.

Also includes:

- Commentary by Paul M. Sammon, author of Future Noir: The Making of Blade Runner
- Featurette All Our Variant Futures: From Workprint to Final Cut

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

The Dark Crystal CD Released




La-La Land Records has released the soundtrack to The Dark Crystal. The Trevor Jones score is just amazing. This release is to coincide with upcoming DVD special edition. If you don't have this score then definitely pick this up.

Monday, July 9, 2007

New Cover Art - From Beyond, Body Snatchers '78, ROTLD

While I am sure my mind will be thinking of other things on September 11 this year aside from what's out on DVD but I am happy that these films will be getting released nonetheless. Here is the cover art for the new special editions of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', 'Return of the Living Dead', and (FINALLY!!!!!) 'From Beyond'.



'The Burbs' Gets New Soundtrack CD




Varese Sarabande have released new CD's in their CD club including an expanded soundtrack release to the Joe Dante film 'The Burbs' starring Tom Hanks. The score was done by the late great Jerry Goldsmith. One of cinema's greatest composers. Whenever one of his scores gets released it's always time to celebrate.

Other releases include the Bill Conti score to 'F/X' and Elmer Bernstein's scores for 'Cannon For Cordoba' and 'From Noon Till Three'.

Price Drops All Around





Gamespot has reported that both the PS3 and the Xbox 360 have dropped their prices.

In August the PS3 will introduce a newer model with an 80GB hard drive with the current model dropping from $599 to $499.

The Xbox 360 is dropping price on all of its models with the Elite possibly going to $399 and the regular editions shaving off $50 from their current prices.

Is this odd? Not really. A lot of people saw this coming. It's also pretty common. While each system fights for who has the better sales the bottom line is all systems are doing fine. The question is how will they keep going. The problem isn't so much the price of the systems (well, maybe a little) but whether the games are worth playing. Make better games and people will come.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Cujo and Alligator DVD Covers




Here are the DVD covers for the previous announced DVDs for 'Cujo' and 'Alligator'. The 'Cujo' one is decent but the 'Alligator' one looks too much like the direct to video movies that have flooded the market over the last few years. 'Alligator' is a B movie but a great B movie. And it stars the great Robert Forester. He should be on the cover somewhere. Either way, as long as the content is great then who cares about DVD art. It just may put off people that may buy the movie but think it's something else without looking at the back.

7/11 Becomes Kwik-E-Mart



Thanks to PunkY for letting me know about this. As a promotion for the upcoming 'The Simpsons' movie 7/11 has chosen a few stores across the US to become Kwik-E-Marts, the store on the show run by Apu.

If I get to the one in Chicago I'll talk pictures. Although they didn't pick one in an ideal location.

Click Here to find one.

Friday, June 29, 2007

iPhone Gets Released



Today the iPhone by Apple is hitting the market. Much like the iPod, or the Mac, or any number of other Apple creations, I think it'll revolutionize a lot. What that will be we may not see for a few years to come. I would love to get one but the price tag is too much. Plus these new things are always buggy. I'll probably wait until (I can afford it) the third generation comes out. I am interested to see how they change the iPod. I wonder if the next generation of iPods will have the touch screen?



People are waiting in line to get one of these. It's amazing to me how people are getting excited over this. Like it was a new Playstation or 'Star Wars' movie. It'll be interesting to see what initial users think. But as I mentioned I think the exciting things will be what other things this will inspire in the future.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Update On The Halloween DVD

Looks like the upcoming rerelease of the original 'Halloween' on DVD is the same one that was already out. Just new packaging. No need to upgrade if you have the last release. Unless you want the new packaging. Or like with 'Evil Dead' you feel the need to have every version of it on DVD.

The Burning Soundtrack Released On CD

I love soundtracks so this is great news. From Fangoria:

MVD Entertainment sent along word that it will reissue the long-out-of-print soundtrack for 1981’s slasher fave THE BURNING August 28, as part of a series of CDs showcasing the work of composer/performer Rick Wakeman from YES. The disc arrives in time to tie in with the uncut DVDebut (see details here) of the film, which features shocking gore FX by Tom Savini and early appearances by Holly Hunter, Jason Alexander, Fisher Stevens and others, and was one of the very first movies produced by Miramax’s Harvey and Bob Weinstein. The CD contains 36 minutes of remastered music, consisting of 11 tracks.


Sunday, June 24, 2007

The Dark Crystal Soundtrack Rerelease

On July 17 there will be a new 25th anniversary release of the soundtrack of the Trevor Jones score to 'The Dark Crystal'. Here is the cover and the track listing.




1. The Dark Crystal Overture (3:11)
2. The Power Ceremony (3:57)
3. The Storm (1:03)
4. The Mystical Master Dies (0:51)
5. The Funerals/Jen's Journey (5:25)
6. The Skeksi's Funeral (2:42)
7. The Pod Dance (3:14)
8. Love Theme (3:17)
9. Gelfling Song (2:22)
10. The Gelfling Ruins (2:43)
11. The Landstrider Journey (0:44)
12. The Great Conjunction (4:13)
13. Finale (7:14)

Synapse and Impulse Release Anita On DVD

Probably one of the most beautiful women to ever walk God's green Earth is Christina Lindberg. So it's always a great day when one of her movies comes to DVD. This is from the Synapse blog about the upcoming release.



SYNAPSE FILMS will be distributing ANITA in the USA with IMPULSE PICTURES. We all know that THRILLER kicks major ass and we were excited to find out we could release yet another Lindberg film (oh yeah... EXPOSED is finishing up now, too, for maybe November from SYNAPSE). Anyway, here's the info (ain't that cover just a major turn-on?)...

A young girl named Anita (Lindberg) suffers from psychological problems and sexual promiscuity due to her troubled childhood and uncaring parents. She meets Erik (SkarsgÃ¥rd) , a student at a local university, who tries to help her through her troubles by analyzing her past relationships. After revealing her most intimate and violent encounters to Erik, he determines that, in order for her to overcome her nymphomania, she first must experience a “true” orgasm! ANITA is a classic of controversial Swedish exploitation starring cult film starlet Christina Lindberg (THRILLER: A CRUEL PICTURE) and a very young Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END) in one of his first ever film roles!


ORIGINAL UNCUT SWEDISH VERSION!
16:9 ANAMORPHIC TRANSFER
NEWLY TRANSLATED REMOVABLE ENGLISH SUBTITLES

STREET DATE: JULY 24, 2007
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE: $24.95

The Dark Crystal DVD Specs




THE DARK CRYSTAL 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION


Pre-order The Dark Crystal 25th Anniversary Edition and save 25% off the regular price.
Become part of Jim Henson’s world and experience the mystical realm of imaginative creatures, fantastical journeys, and the fight between light and dark with The Dark Crystal 25th Anniversary Edition, available on DVD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on August 14th for the SLP of $24.96. Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz (Little Shop of Horrors, Indian in the Cupboard), The Dark Crystal 25th Anniversary Edition sets the highest standard for audio and video available on DVD.

This special 2-disc anniversary edition features a new high definition film transfer, new commentary by Brian Froud, stylized new packaging, previously unreleased footage from the Henson archives and “Reflections on The Dark Crystal” featurettes that include all-new interviews with writers and performers behind the magic such as Brian Henson (son of Jim Henson and co-CEO of The Jim Henson Company), David O’Dell (Co-Writer) and many others.

DVD Bonus Features

Rediscovered footage from Jim Henson’s home in England

“Reflections on The Dark Crystal” exclusive featurettes including all-new interviews with the writers and performers behind the magic including:

David O’Dell (Co-Writer with Henson)
Dave Goelz and Katheryn Mullen (Performers)
Brian Froud (Conceptual Designer/Supervisor)
Brian Henson (Son of Jim Henson)
Jane Gootnick (Senior Puppet Builder)
Mira Velimorivic (Jim Henson’s Creative Assistant)

Monster Squad DVD Trailer

Saturday, June 23, 2007

New Halloween DVD


Looks like Anchor Bay is releasing the John Carpenter original classic 'Halloween' again on DVD. Coming in August, no doubt to cash in a bit on the Rob Zombie version, but nothing about extras at this point. It may just be a rerelease of the previous version.


Alligator, Night of the Demons 2, and Cujo

Fangoria has posted some great news about some upcoming Lions Gate DVDs.

The great DVD news just keeps coming from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The company that has the long-awaited MONSTER SQUAD two-disc set coming next month will give Lewis Teague’s 1983 film version of Stephen King’s CUJO the deluxe treatment in September, and gave Fango the scoop that Teague’s 1980 nature-amok fave ALLIGATOR is coming on special-edition DVD as well! CUJO, due September 25, will have special O-card packaging (cover art coming soon) with a widescreen transfer, plus the following extras:

• Audio commentary by director Teague
• Dog Days: The Making of CUJO, Part One featurette on how director Teague got involved, adapted the screenplay, cast the actors, chose the locations and dealt with the challenging filming conditions
• Dog Days: The Making of CUJO, Part Two featurette on filming with the dogs, choreographing the attacks, working with the actors and finding the right ending
• Dog Days: The Making of CUJO, Part Three featurette on the editing and the scoring, the sneak previews and CUJO 25 years later

The featurettes contain all-new interviews with Teague, producers Daniel H. Blatt and Robert Singer, stars Dee Wallace and Dan Pintauro, King biographer Douglas E. Winter and others. Retail price is $19.98.

ALLIGATOR, meanwhile, will arrive a week earlier on Sept. 18. A source tells Fango that this disc will have a widescreen transfer, the commentary by Teague and star Robert Forster from the previous Anchor Bay UK disc, a new interview with scripter John Sayles and a trailer. Also on the 25th, the Gate will give Brian Trenchard-Smith’s superior 1994 sequel NIGHT OF THE DEMONS 2, featuring Steve Johnson’s grisly makeup and monster FX, its DVDebut. We’ll have art and updates on these and other Lionsgate horror titles very soon! —Michael Gingold

Kill Bill, Grindhouse, Dark Crystal, and More

Some DVD news.

Looks like that long in the works edition of the unedited version of 'Kill Bill' will be coming on November 6. It will be a 4 disc set though extras haven't been announcened yet.

'Grindhouse' is sort of coming on September 18. Looks like Quentin Tarantino's extended cut of 'Death Proof' will hit DVD as it's own release while Robert Rodriguez's 'Planet Terror' is rumored to be out around the same time though no official word yet. Not sure what this means, if anything, about the theatrical released version ever seeing the light of day again.

'The Dark Crystal' is hitting DVD again this time in a long overdo 2 disc special edition. I saw this recently at a midnight show and am really excited about this set. 'Labyrinth' will also be coming out in a new 2 disc set as well. I need to double check but I believe both sets are due out in August.

John Boorman's thriller 'Deliverance' is coming out in a new 2 disc special edition on Spetember 19.

Martin Scorsese's brilliant 'Taxi Driver' is coming out in a new special edition. No word on extras but hopefully it'll include either a new commentary track or the excellent one from the old Criterion laserdisc.

On August 7 MGM will be releasing a new 2 disc special edition of the 1978 version of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers'. The original DVD was a port over from the laserdisc and was not even anamorphic so this is exciting.

And finally, if you have a chance to see it I recommend catching the limited release of 'Daywatch' in theatres the sequel to 'Nightwatch'. It's only in a few theatres but luckily the DVD is rumored to come out on October 23. And once again, as with 'Nightwatch', the way they did subtitles is just as entertaining and creative as the films themselves.

Friday, June 22, 2007

A Gory Place

Welcome to my own blog. A word I never fully understood. It sounds like a burp that happens after you puke. But alas this place is not about burping nor puking. This place is about me a filmmaker in Chicago who loves movies. On occasion I'll be posting some soundtracks that are either out of print or have never been officially released. I'll share news about movies, DVDs, and sorted other odds and ends.

So there it is. My first entry. Wasn't it riveting?