Saturday, August 30, 2014

THE SACRAMENT (2014)

THE SACRAMENT (2014)
Label: Magnet Relesing
Region Code: A
Rating: R
Duration: 99 Minutes
Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 with Optional English, Spanish Subtitles 
Video: 1080p Widescreen (1.78:1) 
Director: Ti West 
Cast: AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Kentucky Audley, Amy Seimetz, Gene Jones

Director Ti West has made quite a name for himself since coming onto the indie--horror scene with The Roost (2005) and the one-two punch of The House of the Devil (2009) and The Inn Keepers (2009). I'm a fan of his style and the meticulously composed shots with a deliberate build-up. I even love the maligned Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever (2009) which West disowned when producers re cut the film with additional footage, even with it's problems it's a fun, gooey comedy with a lot of icky moments. 

Afterward Ti West kept busy with contributions to the anthology films V/H/S (2012) and The ABCs of Death (2012) both of which I strongly disliked, particularly the V/H/S entry which I felt was the worst of the bunch. Coming into The Sacrament (2014) I didn't have a lot of expectations one way or the other. I try not to get too excited or down on a film prior to watching it, even if I feel the filmmakers previous few outings were duds. The proof is always in the pudding. 

The Sacrament is a modern retelling of the final days of the Jonestown cult and the mass suicide that occurred there in 1978. Framed as a documentary shot by two VICE Media correspondents Sam and Jake (AJ Bowed, Joe Swanberg) who learn through photographer friend  Peter (Kentucky Audler) of a hippie-styled commune located outside of the United States. The photographers formerly drug-addicted sister Caroline (Amy Siemetz) now resides in what sounds like a Utopian paradise in the jungle and she wants him to come visit. 

The brother is concerned for the sisters safety and the VICE guys see it as a great story opportunity and set off to the undisclosed location. They arrive at the rural location known as Eden's Parish, a self-sustaining commune. After a threatening encounter with armed gunmen the trio meet-up with Caroline and things start to smooth out. The place seems pretty alright and the two hundred or so followers seem well adjusted and happy to be there, most having escaped lives of poverty and drug addiction in the U.S.. They seem quite happy to be there and follow a man that everyone calls Father (Gene Jones).

The film plays out documentary style with time stamps and location titles as the crew document the cult and interview a few of the followers of the beloved Father. Perhaps the strongest element of the film is that we get a peek inside the cult and a taste of the mentality as the followers reveal why they chose to drop out of society and what drew them to Father. 


The crew are granted permission to interview Father that night at an assembly and we see the overwhelming love and support  for him from the many followers. Gene Jones is pretty superb as the charismatic cult leader. A slow drawn out speaker he oozes charm and love, which makes it hard to interview him, he's one of those guys that can turn your question around on you twice and never once actually reveal anything. 

After the assembly things start to turn a bit dark for it seems the newcomers have created a movement of descent among his followers and Father is none too pleased. Anyone with even a cursory knowledge of the events and Jonestown know the direction the film turns afterward. The story held absolutely no surprises  for me which is a disappointment - this is pretty much a straight-up fictionalized account of the Jonestown cult's final days and doesn't stray from it.

That's not to say that the performances are not effective - the dynamic of the cult followers and the charismatic leader are very good, creepily so. The VICE crew keep us rooted in the story as they are a stand-in for the viewer playing both skeptic and cautious believer. To their credit they didn't make any decisions that made me yell at the screen in anger which is a plus, all too often these found footage type films are filled with dim witted decisions. The most harrowing scene for me was that of Peter and his demented sister at the end of the film, he is powerless to stop what's transpiring around him, it's a very affecting scene. Throughout the film you  can tell she's just a bit off - she's sort of the second in command at the parish - and as the utopia unravels so does she with tragic consequences. 

The camerawork is pretty decent and does feel like an authentic documentary, as is often the case the camera catches a bit too much to be based in reality but the filmmakers are making a film here and Ti West is someone with a deliberate style of cinematography and I can imagine it might have been hard to relinquish control of the camera for this as cinema verite seem at odds with West's deliberate composition, to that end does not feel like a Ti West film but the writing certainly does.  

I enjoyed it but I didn't love it just for the fact that I knew what would happen because it'd so adherent to the source material meant that there were very few surprises. I appreciated the performances and there's some decent tension being built-up but this has zero re watch factor for me. I thought Timo Tjahjanto and Gareth Edward's "Safe Haven" segment from V/H/S/2 was a more interesting and original take on cult story. Not awful but definitely my least favorite of Ti West's feature films. 

The disc from Magnet Releasing looks and sounds great - shot on the Canon C300 digital camera is looks like a a nive HD documentary with a decent surround mix. There's a director's commentary a four featurettes documenting the making-of the film. 

Friday, August 29, 2014

PRESIDENT WOLFMAN NOW ON DVD from WILD EYE RELEASING

Anyone seen this one yet? This has about zero appeal for me but I do have a morbid curiosity. Wild Eye have won me over with a few pretty ridiculous concepts and this might just be crazy enough.. 
Film Festival Hit
PRESIDENT WOLFMAN
Available Now on DVD


Wild Eye Releasing has announced that Mike Davis'President Wolfman is now available to own on DVD following a wildly successful festival run. Since its premiere at the Sydney Underground Film Festival, President Wolfman has been a favorite of audiences and critics alike, with the Huffington Post applauding the filmmakers for delivering "a candidate both parties can get behind." President Wolfman has won awards around the country, taking home Best Script at the New Orleans Horror Film Festival and Best Feature at both the Aliens to Zombies Film Festival and Atlanta Horror Film Festival. 



Meet John Wolfman: politician, single parent and werewolf, a man whose (hairy) hands are definitely full. Not only is he trying to stop his opponents from selling the US to China, he also has to solve a series of grizzly murders in the capitol. Add a crazed mad scientist, Smokey the Bear, a Miss Teen beauty pageant and a race against time to save his eight-year-old son Bobby from a murderous Vice President, and you have a movie that will keep you howling from start to finish.

Hailed as "perfect for fans of campy horror" by The Washington Post, President Wolfman was made entirely from recycled, stock and public domain footage with a newly scripted, scored and re-voiced soundtrack with enhanced visuals and effects.

President Wolfman - Official DVD trailer
President Wolfman (Official Trailer)

The DVD release of President Wolfman (SRP $14.95) exclusively includes several short films from director Mike Davis, outtakes, a music video and a highlight reel of the production.


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

SCREAM FACTORY FALL 2014 PREVIEW!

SCREAM FACTORY'S SUMMER OF FEAR has wound down - and what a great Summer it was! Check out what SCREAM FACTORY brought...


SUMMER OF FEAR 2014 
EVILSPEAK
FINAL EXAM
NOSFERATU 
HOUSE IN THE ALLEY 
SLEEPAWAY CAMP 
RAVENOUS 
THE MONKEY'S PAW 
THE FINAL TERROR (REVIEW HERE

LAKE PLACID (REVIEW HERE

DEADLY EYES (REVIEW HERE

GINGER SNAPS (REVIEW HERE

PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (REVIEW HERE
MOTEL HELL (REVIEW HERE
WITHOUT WARNING 
LEVIATHAN


Now let's look at some updates and new items for upcoming releases for FALL 2014 beginning with a SCREAM FACTORY first - a title going OUT OF PRINT! 


 LIFEFORCE (1986) NEWS!

READ OUR REVIEW OF THE COLLECTOR'S EDITION HERE!

Unfortunately the “Collector’s Edition” release of LIFEFORCE (which came out in June of 2013) is now an out-of-print item and will be replaced with another version. 

Here’s what will be different about the new product on all future pressings:

- The vintage “Making of Lifeforce” featurette will no longer be available.
- Artwork is slightly different: The original theatrical artwork (pictured here) is now front-facing, and the Justin Osbourn-created piece will be on the reverse wrap.
- Scream are removing the “Collector’s Edition” branding.
- Slipcover will not be offered.

PRICE DROP! The “Collector’s Edition” release had a suggested retail price of $29.93. The new version will be $22.97.

If you already bought the Collector’s Edition version – like most hardcore fans of the film did – then this strategy does not affect you except that the CE version is now more “collector-y” than before.

Additionally, this change-of-plans in unique only to this release. This is a special case that was unforeseen so please do not be concerned that this will happen on a regular basis with other Collector Editions.

Street date for the new, lower-priced version is set for September 9th 2014


More sad news...

HELLHOLE (1985) 


Unfortunate news to report today but Scream Factory have exhausted all avenues looking for the footage missing from their film elements for HELLHOLE-- the 1985 Women-in-Prison thriller-horror hybrid that was announced in January of this year. Unless a collector comes forward with a good print of the film they are unable to release the film in its original theatrical cut and have taken it off the upcoming schedule for the time-being.

Also Scream Factory's Collector's Edition Blu-ray of DOG SOLDIERS is still planned for 2015 but no release date as of yet as they sort out a few unforeseen legal issues.... 



DOG SOLDIERS (2002) 


SEPTEMBER 

Now onto some cheerier news - new stuff coming this Fall beginning with the fun folk-horror classic PUMPKINHEAD starring Lance Henrikesen out on September 9th 2014. 


PUMPKINHEAD (1988)

READ OUR REVIEW HERE!

Release Date: September 9th 2014

The late 80's classic from effects master Stan Winston gets a sweet Collector's Edition - extras to revealed at a later date. I do also believe the sequel PUMPKINHEAD II: BLOOD WINGS (1993) will also be on the way from Scream Factory October 21st! 


Special Features:
  • NEW -  REMEMBERING THE MONSTER KID: A TRIBUTE TO STAN WINSTON featuring new interviews with actors Lance Henriksen and Brian Bremer, special effects artists Alec Gillis, Tom Woodruff Jr. and Shannon Shea
  • NEW interviews with producer Richard Weinman and actors John D’Aquino and Matthew Hurley
  • Audio Commentary by Co-screenwriter Gary Gerani and Creature & FX Creators Tom Woodruff, Jr. and Alec Gillis
  • PUMPKINHEAD UNEARTHED (now in HD) –  a documentary on the making of PUMPKINHEAD featuring Evolution of a Demon, The Cursed and the Damned, The Torture Soul of Ed Harley, Constructing Vengeance, Razorback Holler
  • Featurette: Demonic Toys
  • Behind-the-Scenes Footage
  • Still Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailer
THE BATTERY (2012) 

Release Date: September 16th 2014

Two former baseball players, Ben (Jeremy Gardner) and Mickey (Adam Cronheim), cut an aimless path across a desolate New England. They stick to the back roads and forests to steer clear of the shambling corpses that patrol the once bustling cities and towns. In order to survive, they must overcome the stark differences in each other’s personalities — Ben embraces an increasingly feral, lawless, and nomadic lifestyle, while Mickey is unable to accept the harsh realities of the new world. Mickey refuses to engage in Ben’s violent games and longs for the creature comforts he once took for granted — a bed, a girl and a safe place to live.

When the men intercept a radio transmission from a seemingly thriving, protected community, Mickey will stop at nothing to find it, even though it is made perfectly clear that he is not welcome.

Bonus features:
- Audio Commentary with Writer/Producer/Director/Star Jeremey Gardner, Producer/Star Adam Cronheim and Producer/Director of Photography Christian Stella
- TOOLS OF IGNORANCE: The Making Of The Battery (90 minute documentary)
- Outtakes
- ROCK PLAZA CENTRAL AT THE PARLOR: The Music Of The Battery
- Theatrical Trailer





HALLOWEEN: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Release Date: September 23rd 2014 

Anchor Bay Entertainment and us at Scream Factory unveiled the official art for the September 23rd release of the HALLOWEEN Complete Collection Blu-ray! Creative attached is from the 15-disc Deluxe Edition - that includes a rigid slipcase to house all the films, a bonus disc packed with extras and a collectible 40-page book – and the 10-Disc edition (films only but will still have selected extras).  

Ordered my Deluxe Limited Edition from Scream Factory when this bad boy was announced. Anxiously anticipating a complete listing of extras and information about the transfers for each title. 

Halloween night - Haddonfield, IL. A young boy butchers his older sister with a kitchen knife. 15 years later, he escapes from a mental institution only to return home and terrorize the town, including babysitter Laurie Strode. Now pursued by Dr. Loomis, the doctor who tried to treat him until he realized that what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply... evil . His name is Michael Myers.


THE LIMITED EDITION LITHOGRAPH - ONLY 500!

And so began one of the most iconic horror franchises in history. What producers Moustapha Akkad and Debra Hill, writer/director John Carpenter and stars Jamie Lee Curtis & Donald Pleasence started has spawned 10 feature films and lasted over 35 years. Now, for the first time ever, experience the terror of every Halloween film available together in 1 set! This limited edition deluxe set includes 15 discs jammed with content Halloween fans will love including:

Halloween
Halloween II
Halloween III: Season of the Witch
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers,
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
Halloween H20
Halloween: Resurrection
Rob Zombie's Halloween and Halloween II.
Brand new, never before seen bonus features including new interviews with cast and crew, commentaries, behind the scenes documentaries, and so much more.
Plus, the NEVER BEFORE RELEASED Producer s Cut of Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers!
The set also features both Blu-ray versions of Halloween as well as the Network TV versions of Halloween and Halloween 2. Here it is, the one that started it all Halloween: The Complete Collection.


The extras have been announced for the HALLOWEEN COMPLETE COLLECTION - feast your eyes on everything right here! New transfers on select titles, proper aspect ratios, the original Mono audio and a fine selection of new extras! I'm excited to get the TV versions of the films - which I realize have been available previously - and are exclusive to the 15-disc Deluxe Edition.We are also getting  the Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) Producer’s Cut which is sourced from a new hi-def master from the inter-positive - again this is only available on the Deluxe Edition. . 


Looking forward to seeing how the 15-discs are housed in the boxset and what that will look like and reading the through the booklet - pretty exciting stuff. I've seen a few complaints online about the quality or quantity of the extras announced but I'm quite pleased as a fan of the franchise - you just cannot please all the horror films all the time - that's for sure.

HALLOWEEN - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION
15-Disc Deluxe Edition

Anchor Bay Entertainment and Scream Factory proudly announce the bonus features and technical specifications for the September 23rd HALLOWEEN Complete Collection Blu-ray™ set.  This new set boasts a wealth of NEW bonus features including 7 brand NEW featurettes, 3 brand NEW commentaries, 4 brand NEW interviews – with many of the participants sharing their thoughts about the franchise for the first time -- and NEW transfers and audio specs on selected titles. 

Please see full listing below for each disc in the 15-disc Deluxe Edition:

Updates are listed below in RED:

Disc 1 – John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978)
Bonus Features:
  • HD transfer supervised and approved by cinematographer Dean Cundey
  • NEW Audio Commentary With Director Of Photography Dean Cundey, Editor Tommy Lee Wallace And The Shape, Nick Castle
  • Audio Commentary with Co-Writer/Director John Carpenter and Actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
  • “The Night She Came Home” Featurette
  • “On Location: 25 Years Later” Featurette
  • TV Version Footage
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • TV and Radio Spots
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); Dolby TrueHD 7.1; Original 1978 Audio in Dolby TrueHD Mono
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish

Disc 2 – John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978) (Exclusive to Deluxe Edition)
Bonus Features:
  • Audio Commentary With Co-Writer/Director John Carpenter, Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and Co-Writer/Producer Debra Hill
  • Featurette: Halloween: A Cut Above The Rest
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • TV and Radio Spots
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); Dolby Surround 5.1; PCM 5.1; Original 1978 Mono Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish

Disc 3 – Halloween II (1981)
Theatrical Version
Bonus Features:
  • Audio commentary with director Rick Rosenthal and actor Leo Rossi (Theatrical version)
  • Audio commentary with stunt co-ordinator/actor Dick Warlock (Theatrical version)
  • The Nightmare Isn’t Over: The Making Of Halloween II” Featuring Rick Rosenthal, Lance Guest, Dick Warlock, Alan Howarth, Dean Cundey, Leo Rossi and Moore...
  • “Horror’s Hallowed Grounds: The Locations of Halloween II” - Host Sean Clark revisits the original shooting locations of the film
  • Deleted Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary from director Rick Rosenthal
  • Alternate Ending with Optional Audio Commentary from director Rick Rosenthal
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • TV and Radio Spots
  • Still Gallery
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); DTS-HD MA 5.1

Disc 4 – Halloween II TV Cut (1981) DVD (Exclusive to Deluxe Edition)
Television Cut With Added Footage Not Seen In The Theatrical Version
Tech Specs: Standard Definition Full-frame 1.33:1; Dolby Digital Mono

UPDATED! Disc 5 – Halloween III: Season of The Witch (1982)
Bonus Features:
  • Audio Commentary with director Tommy Lee Wallace
  • Audio Commentary with actor Tom Atkins
  • “Stand Alone: The Making Of Halloween III: Season Of The Witch” featuring Tommy Lee Wallace, Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dick Warlock, Dean Cundey and more
  • “Horror’s Hallowed Grounds” - Revisiting the original shooting locations
  • Still Gallery
  • Theatrical Trailers
  • TV Spots
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); DTS-HD MA Mono
Disc 6 – Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Bonus Features:
  • Audio Commentary with Actors Ellie Cornell and Danielle Harris
  • Audio Commentary with Director Dwight H. Little and Author Justin Beahm
  • Theatrical Trailer
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1); Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish

UPDATED! Disc 7 -- Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
Bonus Features:
  • Audio Commentary with Actor Don Shanks and author Justin Beahm
  • Audio Commentary with Director Dominique Othenin-Girard and Actors Danielle Harris And Jeffrey Landman
  • Halloween 5: On The Set
  • Halloween 5: Original Promo
  • Theatrical Trailer
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1); Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish

UPDATED! Disc 8 -- Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) Theatrical Cut
Bonus Features:
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • TV Spots
  • Still Gallery
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1); DTS-MA HD 5.1, 2.0
Subtitles: English

UPDATED! Disc 9 – Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) Producer’s Cut (Exclusive to Deluxe Edition)
Bonus Features:
  • NEW High Definition Master from the original inter-negative
  • NEW Audio Commentary with Screenwriter Daniel Farrands and Composer Alan Howarth (Producer’s Cut)
  • NEW “Jamie’s Story” – An Interview With The Original “Jamie” Actress Danielle Harris
  • NEW “The Cursed ‘Curse’” – An Interview With Producers Malek Akkad And Paul Freeman
  • NEW “Acting Scared “– A Look At The Film’s Cast With Actresses Mariah O’Brien And J.C. Brandy
  • NEW “The Shape Of Things” – A Look At Michael Myers’ Murders And Mayhem With Special Make-Up Effects Artists John Carl Buechler And Brad Hardin And Actor George P. Wilbur (Michael Myers)
  • NEW “Haddonfield’s Horrors” – The Sights of Halloween The Curse of Michael Myers With Director of Photography Billy Dickson And Production Designer Brad Ryman And Director of Photography (Additional Scenes) Thomas Callaway
  • NEW “Full Circle” – An Interview With Composer Alan Howarth
  • NEW Cast And Crew Tribute to Donald Pleasance
  • Archival Interviews And Behind-The-Scenes Footage
  • Behind-The-Scenes Footage (approx. 30 Minutes)
  • Alternate And Deleted Scenes (Not Present In Either Cut Of The Film)
  • Teaser Trailer: Halloween 666: The Origin Of Michael Myers
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (1:78:1); DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.0
Subtitles: English

UPDATED! Disc 10 -- Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
Bonus Features:
  • Presented in the correct 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio
  • NEW Commentary With Director Steve Miner And Jamie Lee Curtis, Moderated By Sean Clark
  • NEW “The Making of Halloween H20” Featuring Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, Nancy Stephens, Adam Hann-Byrd, Tom Kane, Editor Patrick Lussier, Producer Malek Akkad, Producer Paul Freeman, Composer John Ottman, Chris Durand (Michael Myers), Writer Robert Zappia, Stunt Co-Ordinator Donna Keegan, Make-Up Brad Hardin And Cinematographer Daryn Okada
  • Vintage Interviews And Behind-The-Scenes Footage
  • Scenes from the film with John Ottman’s original score
  • Theatrical Trailer
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.0
Subtitles: English
UPDATED! Disc 11 -- Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
Bonus Features:
  • Audio Commentary With Director Rick Rosenthal And Editor Robert A. Ferretti
  • Alternate Endings with optional director’s commentary
  • Deleted Scenes with optional director’s commentary
  • Featurette: “Head Cam”
  • Web Cam Special with optional director’s commentary
  • Storyboard Analysis
  • Set Tour With Production Designer Troy Hansen
  • Set Interview With Jamie Lee Curtis
  • Vintage Interviews And Behind-The-Scenes Footage
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • Home Video TV Spots
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.0

Disc 12 – Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007)
Bonus Features:
  • Unrated Director’s Cut With Audio Commentary By Writer/Director Rob Zombie
  • Deleted Scenes With Optional Commentary
  • Alternate Ending With Optional Commentary
  • Bloopers
  • Featurette: “The Many Faces Of Michael Myers”
  • Re-Imagining Halloween
  • Meet The Cast
  • Casting Sessions
  • Scout Taylor-Compton Screen Test
  • Theatrical Trailer
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1); DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1; Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles: English, Spanish

Disc 13 – Rob Zombie’s Halloween (2007) Bonus Disc (Exclusive to Deluxe Edition)
Bonus Features:
  • Documentary: “Michael Lives: The Making of Halloween (4 ½ hours)
Tech Specs: Dolby Stereo
Subtitles: English

Disc 14 – Rob Zombie’s Halloween 2 (2009)
Bonus Features:
  • Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Rob Zombie
  • Deleted And Alternate Scenes
  • Audition Footage
  • Make-Up Test Footage
  • Blooper Reel
  • Captain Clegg And The Night Creatures Music Videos
  • Uncle Seymour Coffins’ Stand-Up Routines
Tech Specs: 1080p Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1); DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1;
Subtitles: English



UPDATED! Disc 15 – Bonus Features (Exclusive to Deluxe Edition)


  • John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN – The Extended Version (In HD - TV Inserts Are In Standard Definition)
  • Interview with Moustapha Akkad about origin of HALLOWEEN
  • Featurette: HALLOWEEN UNMASKED 2000
  • Featurette: The Making Of HALLOWEEN 4: FINAL CUT
  • NEW episodes of HORROR’S HALLOWED GROUNDS - we go back to the filming locations of HALLOWEEN 4, HALLOWEEN 5 (with special guest Don Shanks) andHALLOWEEN: THE CURSE OF MICHAEL MYERS. Plus the original 2005 pilot for Horror's Hallowed Grounds featuring a look at the locations of the original HALLOWEEN.
  • HORROR’S HALLOWED GROUNDS: Fan Edition – a special episode shot with, and for, the fans as they board a bus tour, during the 35 YEARS OF TERROR convention, and visit the locations of HALLOWEEN (1978), HALLOWEEN II (1981) HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH and HALLOWEEN (2007). Hosted by HHG’s Sean Clark with special guests Dick Warlock, Charles Cyphers, Brian Andrews, Tommy Lee Wallace and Erik Preston.
  • NEW The Making Of HALLOWEEN 4 Featuring Actors Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Kathleen Kinmont, Beau Starr, Raymond O’Connor, Erik Preston and Sasha Jensen, Stuntmen Tom Morga (Michael Myers) And George P. Wilbur (Michael Myers), Composer Alan Howarth, Writer Alan B. McElroy, Producers Malek Akkad And Paul Freeman, Special Make-Up Effects Artists John Carl Buechler And Ken Horn
  • Featurette: Inside HALLOWEEN 5
  • NEW The Making Of HALLOWEEN 5 Featuring Interviews With Actors Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell, Wendy Kaplan, Jeffrey Landman, Jonathan Chapin, Frankie Como, Tamara Glynn, Matthew Walker, Don Shanks (Michael Myers), Producer Malek Akkad, Line Producer Rick Nathanson And Composer Alan Howarth
  • NEW Interview With Make-Up Effects Artist Tom Burman On HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH
  • HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH Radio Spots
  • TV Spots – HALLOWEEN 4, HALLOWEEN 5, HALLOWEEN (2007) and HALLOWEEN II (2009)
  • Photo Galleries -- HALLOWEEN, HALLOWEEN 4 and HALLOWEEN 5
  • OCTOBER 

HEMLOCK GROVE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES 

Release Date: October 7th 2014 


Pack your bags and say your prayers — you’re on your way to Hemlock Grove! From executive producer Eli Roth, the Primetime-Emmy© nominated Netflix Original Series HEMLOCK GROVE: THE COMPLETE FIRST SERIES arrives on Blu-ray and DVD October 7th! Featuring all 13 exhilarating episodes, the 3-disc Blu-ray disc set (or 4-disc DVD set) also includes all-new bonus features not available on Netflix including six vignettes. Additional bonus features will be announced as excitement builds for this release.

Synopsis: In a small Pennsylvania town, something evil has come in search of prey. But who is the true monster in Hemlock Grove? The brutal slaying of a teenage girl sends the townspeople of Hemlock Grove into a desperate search to find her killer. But this sleepy community soon finds itself living a nightmare as secrets and rumors threaten to drive them all down a dark path as they struggle to uncover the truth. As they hunt for a monster among them, rumors mount and many of the eccentric residents become suspects, from the newly-arrived Gypsy family to the wealthy Godfrey clan. In the twisted world of Hemlock Grove, everyone hides a dark secret.

Executive produced by Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), based on the novel of the same name by Brian McGreevy, and stars Famke Janssen (X-Men) Bill Skarsgård (Anna Karenina), Landon Liboiron (Altitude), Penelope Mitchell (The Vampire Diaries), and Dougray Scott (Mission: Impossible II). Season 2 begins airing on Netflix next week on July 11th
    THE SQUAD (2011) 

    Release Date: October 21st 2014 

    All contact with a military base high in the desolate wastelands of Colombia has been lost. The authorities – believing the base to have fallen to a terrorist attack – send a nine-man squad to investigate. When they arrive, the men discover a shocking scene of carnage and only one survivor: a mute woman in chains.

    Gradually the isolation, the inability to communicate with the outside world and the impossibility of escape begin to undermine the sanity of the soldiers. They start to question the identity of their enemy and the true nature of the strange, silent woman. Is she a terrorist? A victim? Or something more sinister? Something supernatural? Paranoia takes root. Prisoners of fear and the terrible secret they share, the men abandon their humanity and turn savagely on one another.
    THE VINCENT PRICE COLLECTION II


    Release Date: October 21st 2014 

    Check out the artwork for the upcoming Blu-ray set of THE VINCENT PRICE COLLECTION II which is scheduled to drop on Oct 21st just in time for Halloween! Illustrator Joel Robinson did a great job once again and compliments the first volume well.


    THE RAVEN
    Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)/DTS Master Audio Mono/1963/Color/Not Rated/86 minutes

    Special Features:
    - Introduction and parting words by Vincent Price
    - NEW Audio Commentary with author/film historian Steve Haberman
    - Richard Matheson Storyteller: THE RAVEN
    - Corman’s Comedy of Poe
    - Promotional Record
    - Theatrical Trailer
    - Still Gallery

    THE COMEDY OF TERRORS
    Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)/DTS Master Audio Mono/1963/Color/Not Rated/83 minutes
    Special Features:
    - Introduction and parting words by Vincent Price
    - Richard Matheson Storyteller: THE COMEDY OF TERRORS
    - Theatrical Trailer
    - Still Gallery

    THE TOMB OF LIGEIA
    Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)/DTS Master Audio Mono/1964/Color/Not Rated/82 minutes

    Special Features:
    - Introduction and parting words by Vincent Price
    - Audio Commentary by producer/director Roger Corman
    - NEW Audio Commentary with Elizabeth Shepherd, moderated by Roy Frumkes
    - NEW Audio Commentary with film historian Constantine Nasr
    - Theatrical Trailer
    - Still Gallery

    THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
    Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)/DTS Master Audio Mono/1964/Black & White/Not Rated/87 minutes

    Special Features:
    - NEW Audio Commentary with film historian David Del Valle and author Derek Botelho
    - Richard Matheson Storyteller: THE LAST MAN ON EARTH
    - Still Gallery

    DR. PHIBES RISES AGAIN
    Anamorphic Widescreen (1.85:1)/DTS Master Audio Mono/1972/Color/PG/89 minutes

    Special Features:
    - Theatrical Trailer
    - Still Gallery

    THE RETURN OF THE FLY
    Anamorphic Widescreen (2.35:1)/DTS Master Audio Mono/1959/Black & White/Not Rated/86 minutes

    Special Features:
    - NEW Audio Commentary with actor Brett Halsey and film historian David Del Valle
    - Theatrical Trailer
    - TV Spot
    - Still Gallery

    THE HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL
    Anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1)/DTS Master Audio Mono/1959/Black & White/Not Rated/74 minutes

    Special Features:
    NEW Audio Commentary with author/historian Steve Haberman
    - Theatrical Trailer
    - Still Gallery
    - Vincent Price: Renaissance Man
    - The Art of Fear
    - Working with Vincent Price
    - Introductory Price
    PUMPKINHEAD II: BLOOD WINGS (1993) 

    Release Date: October 21st 2014

    When five teenagers unwittingly resurrect a demon, nobody is safe from the creature’s bloody rampage. But this monster is different – inside its demonic frame dwells the soul of a boy murdered years ago. Can the evil creature be killed without destroying the innocent boy trapped within?

    Starring Amy Dolenz (Witchboard 2, Ticks), Andrew Robinson (Hellraiser), Soleil Moon Frye (Punky Brewster), Hill Harper (CSI: NY), J. Trevor Edmond(Lord of Illusions), Linnea Quigley (Return of the Living Dead) and Kane Hodder (Hatchet), Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings unleashes a non-stop barrage of gruesome gore from one of horror’s most iconic monsters .

    SQUIRM (1976)

    Release Date: October 28th 2014

    Director Jeff Lieberman’s classic worm-a-thon film is getting the “Collector’s Edition” HD Blu-ray treatment on October 28th - check out this list of extras that will be on it! 

    Special Features: 
    - NEW! DIGGING IN—2014 Interviews with writer/director Jeff Lieberman and lead actor Don Scardino
    - NEW! EUREKA! – An exclusive look at where the idea for SQUIRM came from with Jeff Lieberman
    - Original Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Jeff Lieberman (ported over from the prior MGM DVD release)
    - Original Theatrical Trailer
    - Vintage TV spot
    - Still Gallery

    Order now at www.screamfactorydvd.com and receive an 18” x 24” limited edition poster of the newly-designed key art too. (While supplies last!)





    NIGHTBREED - THE DIRECTOR'S CUT 

    Release Date: October 28th 2014


    The long-awaited NIGHTBREED: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT is scheduled for a release of October 28th and will be available in two retail versions: A 10,000 Unit Limited-Edition 3-Disc Blu-ray™ set and a Special Edition DVD & Blu-ray™ Combo.

    In 1990, the film was released theatrically nationwide. However, the movie studio edited the film extensively and several scenes were excised or rearranged – much to Director Clive Barker’s disappointment. Since then, a fan-driven movement was created (www.OccupyMidian.com) to see the full version of the film restored and re-released. Now, after 25 years, fans and horror enthusiasts can finally experience NIGHTBREED like never before! Scream Factory, in conjunction with Warner Bros., was able to find the long-thought-missing original film elements and combed through over 600 boxes to locate not only the lost scenes but a treasure trove of never-before-seen footage as well. With nearly an hour of lost footage meticulously restored, the result is not only a more faithful adaptation of Clive Barker’s book Cabal, but also what he originally intended NIGHTBREED to be.

    Official statement from Clive Barker: "This is film history and beyond my wildest dreams of realization. When Scream Factory told me that they found the NIGHTBREED film footage I was gob-smacked! This is the ultimate validation of choices made by myself and Mark Miller [of Seraphim Films] all the way back in 2008. As we embarked down the road of attempting to track down the lost footage, we looked at each other and said, 'Maybe one day they'll find it.' It's my pleasure to announce that the day has come. Speaking personally, I didn't allow myself to believe that it would. Even if we did find some footage (which we did in 2009 in the form of heavily degraded VHS tapes) and even if we did find a company willing to release the film (which we did in 2013 with Scream Factory, God bless them) the prospect of finding the actual lost film materials was remoter than I'd wanted to admit out loud. If the footage could not be found by those who had worked closest on it the same year it had been released, then what were the odds we'd be able to find anything 20 years on? But Scream Factory, in their commendable determination, kept up the search and thanks to them total reconstruction has been made a possibility. There's never been a reconstruction that's had as little chance of succeeding and yet has succeeded on as many fronts as this film has. It's unprecedented. To now have a movie that we can put together in the way that I fully intended it to be seen when I first set out to make this film in 1989 is extraordinary. The project has moved inexorably to this conclusion. Fate and the hard work of individuals such as Mark Miller, Russell Cherrington, Phil and Sarah Stokes, Occupy Midian, Morgan Creek, and ultimately, Scream Factory have made this a possibility and I could not be happier."
    We begin with an official statement from Clive Barker's team on this extraordinary project: "The Nightbreed Director's Cut is an entirely different film than the one which was released in theaters. Its 20 minutes longer than the theatrical cut, but it contains over 40 minutes of new and altered footage. Clive oversaw the reconstruction and edit himself, personally ensuring that, at long last, he was able to tell the story he always wanted to tell, but until now, had never been given the chance. Once the scenes were reordered, and the original film footage restored, the entire film received a brand new sound mix and color pass. It is, in every way, a different movie. It contains more story, more monsters, and there's even a musical number. Ultimately, what we've delivered is a love story 25 years in the making."

    The breakdown for each set is as follows:

    DVD & BLU-RAY COMBO SPECIAL EDITION SET
    • New “Director’s Cut” presentation of the film which contains over 40 minutes of new and altered footage
    • Introduction by writer/director Clive Barker and restoration producer Mark Alan Miller
    • Audio Commentary by writer/director Clive Barker and restoration producer Mark Alan Miller
    • Tribes of the Moon: The Making of Nightbreed featuring interviews with Craig Sheffer, Anne Bobby, Doug Bradley and more… (72 minutes)
    • Making Monsters - interviews with makeup effects artists Bob Keen, Martin Mercer and Paul Jones (42 minutes)
    • Fire! Fights! Stunts! 2nd Unit Shooting - an interview with Andy Armstrong (20 minutes)
    • Original Theatrical Trailer
    1:78 Widescreen/DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/Dolby Digital 5.1/English Subtitles

    LIMITED EDITION 3-DISC BLU-RAY SET (10,000 Numbered Pieces - also includes Collector's book)

    DISC 1: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT
    • New “Director’s Cut” presentation of the film which contains over 40 minutes of new and altered footage
    • Introduction by writer/director Clive Barker and restoration producer Mark Alan Miller
    • Audio Commentary by writer/director Clive Barker and restoration producer Mark Alan Miller
    • Tribes of the Moon: The Making of Nightbreed featuring interviews with Craig Sheffer, Anne Bobby, Doug Bradley and more… (72 minutes)
    • Making Monsters - interviews with makeup effects artists Bob Keen, Martin Mercer and Paul Jones (42 minutes)
    • Fire! Fights! Stunts! 2nd Unit Shooting - an interview with Andy Armstrong (20 minutes)
    • Original Theatrical Trailer
    1:78 Widescreen/DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/Dolby Digital 5.1/English Subtitles

    DISC 2: BONUS DISC
    • Deleted and Alternate Scenes (approx. 20 minutes)
    • Monster Prosthetics Master Class
    • Cutting Compromise – an interview with editor Mark Goldblatt
    • The Painted Landscape: The Concept Art of Ralph McQuarrie
    • Matte Painting Tests
    • Makeup Tests
    • Stop Motion Lost Footage
    • Extended Torture Scene
    • Rehearsal of Boone’s dream
    • Extensive Still Galleries – Early Sketches, Deleted Scene, Posters and Pre-Production art, On the Set, The Cast and Crew

    DISC 3: THE THEATRICAL CUT
    • New transfer from the inter-positive
    1:78 Widescreen/DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/English Subtitles

    **NOTE: Those who order the Limited Edition and Special Edition sets directly from us at www.ScreamfactoryDVD.com will also receive an exclusive 18”x24” poster of the newly designed artworks (available while supplies last) plus a 2-week early ship on 10/14.

    NOVEMBER

    THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS (1985) 

    Release Date: November 4th 2014 



    Directed by Freddie Francis, Executive Produced by Mel Brooks, and based on Dylan Thomas' original screenplay, this shocking horror-thriller stars Timothy Dalton as Thomas Rock, a brilliant young anatomy professor in 1820s Edinburgh. At first accepting only the cadavers provided him for study – those of a few hanged criminals per year – Rock eventually recruits two grave robbers (Jonathan Pryce and Stephen Rea) to secure a better supply of corpses. Coming to the gory conclusion that they will earn more the "fresher" the corpses, the two begin committingmurder and delivering warm bodies to the doctor's lecture chambers. Also starring Julian Sands, Patrick Stewart and Twiggy, The Doctor and the Devils brings classic chills from start to finish.

    Special Features:
    - Commentary With Author and Film Historian Steve Haberman
    - New Interview With Executive Producer Mel Brooks, Producer Jonathan Sanger And Former Brooksfilms Development Executive Randy Auerbach

    - Theatrical Trailer


    NOVEMBER 




     DOLLS (1987) 

    Release Date: November 11th 2014 

    FROM THE PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT YOU RE-ANIMATOR

    They're cute, they're cuddly...and they kill! From horror director Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), producer Brian Yuzna (Society) and screenwriter Ed Naha(Troll) comes this "fiendish nightmare" (The Hollywood Reporter) that combines the pint-sized playmates of childhood with bone-chilling fun, resulting in "a bloody bonbon you chew with relish" (Los Angeles Times)!

    A precocious girl, her nasty parents, two punk-rock losers and a weak-kneed salesman inadvertently become the guests of two ghoulish senior citizens in their dark, haunted mansion. The old couple makes and collects dolls that, when not sitting still like good little mannequins, creep around in the night, offing the guests one by one! You may laugh at first, but if they turn on you, you'll regret it...for the rest of your short life! Guy Rolfe (Puppet Master IIi, Mr. Sardonicus), Stephen Lee (Robocop 2) and Carolyn Purdy-Gordon (Re-Animator, From Beyond) star in this bloody good terror trap that delivers its frights, fun and fantastic effects in equal measure.



    MONKEY SHINES (1988) 

    Release Date: November 18th 2014 

    Allan Mann (Jason Beghe, Chicago Fire) is a bitter, angry and vengeful man ever since an accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. He's fed up with himself and everyone around him. All that changes when he's given Ella, a monkey trained to meet his every need. But when Ella begins anticipating Allan's thoughts, strange and deadly things start happening. And as she stalks and wreaks havoc on Allan's fair-weather girlfriend (Janine Turner, Northern Exposure), incompetent doctor and meddling mother, Allan realizes he must stop the cunning maniacal creature...before she fully takes over his mind!

    Kate McNeil (The House On Sorority Row), Joyce Van Patten (Grown Ups), Stephen Root (Office Space), John Pankow (To Live And Die In L.A.), andStanley Tucci (The Hunger Games) also star in this terrific psychological thriller from George A. Romero (Night Of The Living Dead)!
    THE DARK HALF (1993)

    Release Date: November 18th 2014 

    Horror writer Thad Beaumont (Hutton) hopes to distance himself from his murder novels and from George Stark, the name he has used to anonymously author them. To achieve this, he cooks up a murder to play out in real life: a publicity stunt that should lay Stark to rest forever. But when the people around him are found gruesomely slain –  and his own fingerprints dot the crime scenes  – Beaumont is dumbfounded until he learns that Stark has taken on life of his own...and begun a gruesome quest for vengeance!

    DECEMBER 

    TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972) 


    VAULT OF HORROR (1973) 

    Release Date: December 2nd 2014 

    Tales From The Crypt

    When five unwary travelers with dark hearts stumble into a series of catacombs, they find themselves in a cavern with no way out. But the horror’s only just begun as a mysterious figure appears to reveal to each person the shocking events that will lead to their well-deserved, untimely – and unavoidable – demise. Starring Joan Collins (Empire Of The Ants), Peter Cushing (Horror Of Dracula), Patrick Magee (A Clockwork Orange) and Sir Ralph Richardson (Rollerball), and directed by Freddie Francis (The Creeping Flesh), Tales From The Crypt is the original, gets-right-under-your-skin creepfest!

    Vault Of Horror

    Available uncut for the first time on home video! Five unsuspecting hotel guests step into an elevator, which leads them into an underground vault. Trapped with no way out, each guest shares a gruesome tale of an encounter with death. But as the stories unfold, the men begin to suspect that their presence in the vault is no coincidence, and that the only way out…is death. Starring Tom Baker (Doctor Who), Denholm Elliott (Raiders Of The Lost Ark), Curd Jurgens (The Mephisto Waltz) and Michael Craig (Mysterious Island), this ferociously entertaining film is a worthy sequel to Tales From The Crypt!

    LORD OF ILLUSIONS (1995) 

    Release Date: December 16th 2014


    This is a 2-disc set, which will include an HD version of the "Director's Cut" of the film. Extras are in progress and will be announced later on in the Fall. 


    Check out the Clive Barker-approved artwork for Scream's upcoming Collector's Edition release of LORD OF ILLUSIONS. This sinister vision was created by artist Joel Robinson, who also did the designs for Ginger Snaps, Nightbreed Limited Edition and both Vincent Price Collections.


    If you order directly from Scream Factory at www.screamfactorydvd.com you will also receive a limited edition 18" x 24" poster of the newly-commissioned art you see here. (While supplies last.)
    2015

    LOOKING AHEAD TO 2015 HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW ARE COMING!

    CANDYMAN II: FAREWELL TO THE FLESH (1999)
    SCARECROWS (1988)
    PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1989)
    NEW YEARS EVIL (1980) - Coming in Early 2015
    INVADERS FROM MARS (1986)

    MAD MAX (1979) (Collector’s Edition)
    ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (1981)  (Collector’s Edition)