Arrow Awards!

Home Cinema Choice has named Arrow Video as DVD Label of the Year and City of the Living Dead has won Best Packaging! Congrats all round - take a gander...

DVD Giveaways!

Right trash fans, I have an array of the weird, wonderful and some WWF (it will always be WWF to me not WWE but I digress) style nonsense up for grabs!

As always 2 ways to win: DM on Twitter or simply EMAIL me with your details and mailing address and one of the following DVD's will be winging their way to you! Put the title you'd most prefer in your message to me and I'll endeavour to get it to you! Contest closes January 31st!

Up for grabs are The Crippled Master 2, The Crippled Masters 3 and Colony of the Dark from Apprehensive Films.

NOW CLOSED - WATCH YOUR MAILBOXES AS DVD'S WILL BE SENT OUT SOON

Also from IMD is Ultimate Death Match

and Behind the XXX from Brookland Bros.

The Best of 2010

For what it's worth here is my top 5 Films of the Year followed by my top 10 DVD/Blu-Rays of the Year as well.

DVD Trash Top 5 Films of the Year

1. Toy Story 3D
2. Kick-Ass
3. The American
4. An Education
5. A Prophet

Honourable mentions for A Single Man, The Blindside, The Social Network and Scott Pilgrim vs The World.

 DVD Trash Top 10 DVD's or Blu-Ray's of the Year

1. Alien Anthology (BD, Universal)
2. City of the Living Dead (BD, Arrow Video)
3. Metropolis (BD, Eureka Masters of Cinema)
4. Peeping Tom (BD, Studio Canal)
5. Dario Argento's Inferno (BD, Arrow Video)
6. The Nikkatsu Roman Porno Trailer Collection (DVD, Synapse)
7. Profound Desires of the Gods (BD, Eureka Masters of Cinema)
8. Battle Royale LE (BD, Arrow Film)
9. Starcrash (BD/DVD, Shout! Factory)
10.The Exorcist (BD, Warner Bros.)


Honourable mentions for Shogun Assassin (BD, Eureka), Blonde Ambition: Platinum Elite Collection (DVD, Video X Pix) and So Sweet, So Dead (DVD, Camera Obscura)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all! Thought I'd list some the new titles I've acquired either via Xmas presents or just me being good to myself! Let me know what you all got as well!

Blu-Rays:

Inception
Belle de Jour
The Graduate
Metropolis
Scott Pilgrim vs The World
The Girlfriend Experience

DVDs:

Greenberg
An Education
Sayuri Ichijo: Following Desire (KimStim R1)
Yakuza Justice: Erotic Code of Honor (KimStim R1)
Twisted Path of Love (KimStim R1)
Naked Killer
Masura Konuma: Debauched Desires (KimStim R1)
Naked Rashomon
Blind Womans Curse
Ugetsu Monogatar/Oyu-sama (Eureka Masters of Cinema)


Plus some excellent Nikkatsu and Pink titles, Japanese only but patched with custom subs:

Beautiful Teacher in Torture Hell
Ran Masaki Double Bill (Nymphomaniac & Hip and Breast)
New Wife's Hell
Secret Chronicle: She Beast Market
White Rose Campus

Hopefully though Synapse will be putting out some excellent Nikkatsu titles this year so fans of this genre really need to support them and any other company (Pink Eiga for example) who have licensed this great genre of Asian Cinema.

DVD Contest: Safety First: The Rise of Women!

I have only one copy of this depraved madness to giveaway, so either email me or DM me on Twitter! The contest closes on 24th Dec so I can get it in the post to the winner! Don't mind where you live in the world either, I'll get it to you!

The most depraved safety film ever made in the history of the motion picture industry!

An emergency can strike at any time. Learn safety procedures the fun way - with hot women running the show and stupid men getting what they deserve!

Contains real emergency evacuation safety procedures for people who work on office buildings as dictated by Los Angeles City fire codes and other municipalities in California!

Stars Emily Wahlund, Liliya Czarina, Mary Beth Murphy, Erica Ibsen and features Playboy Playmate Juliette Frette and adult film stars Delotta Brown, Layla Jade, Cindy Pucci and Michelle Aston.

Made by the guy who made the real safety training films for all of the landmark buildings in California from San Francisco to San Diego!

Don't care for hot girls and jokes? Then watch it strictly for educational purposes with all of your co-workers and help your office become OSHA compliant!

Influenced by Russ Meyer, Fellini and the mock humor of Christopher Guest, this film is a comic gem from a writer/director with a totally unique vision and filmmaking style.

A would be R rated comedy (if it were rated) intended for audiences 18 years of age and older.

Kung Fu Christmas on SyFy

Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Jean Claude Van Damme? It can only be Kung Fu Christmas

On Syfy (Sky channel 129, Virgin Media channel 135, Talk Talk channel 22) from Dec 17th at 10pm

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jackie Chan kicking at your nose…

There won’t be many silent nights this December as Syfy turn the season of goodwill to all men – except those pesky bad guys – into a Kung Fu Christmas with a host of awesome martial arts movies. So, get writing to Santa to ask for a karate suit and a pair of nunchucks as they prepare to judo chop and high-kick their way into 2011.



December 17th - Project A, followed by Game of Death
December 18th - The Big Boss
December 19th - Fist of Fury
December 20th - Police Story, followed by Police Story 2
December 21st - Armour of God, followed by The Myth
December 24th - Double Impact
December 25th - The Drunken Master

Find out more at www.syfy.co.uk

Blu-Ray News: Battle Royal: SE

This amazing Battle Royale Blu-Ray set is available to order now from Arrow Film in the UK, plus it's Region Free!

3 DISC LIMITED EDITION SET FEATURES:
- BRAND NEW RESTORED TRANSFER IN GLORIOUS HIGH DEFINITION 1080P OF BOTH FILMS
- BRAND NEW SUBTITLE TRANSLATION ON BOTH FEATURES
- LIMITED EDITION PACKAGING NUMBERED #/5000 WITH CERTIFICATE
- LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL FEATURES

DISC 1 – THEATRICAL CUT: SPECIAL FEATURES - ORIGINAL THEATRICAL TRAILER
- THE MAKING OF BATTLE ROYALE: THE EXPERIENCE OF 42 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
- CONDUCTING BATTLE ROYALE WITH THE WARSAW NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

DISC 2 – SPECIAL EDITION [DIRECTOR’S CUT]: SPECIAL FEATURES
- SPECIAL EDITION TRAILER
- TV SPOT: TARANTINO VERSION
- SHOOTING THE SPECIAL EDITION
- TAKESHI KITANO INTERVIEW
- THE CORRECT WAY TO MAKE BATTLE ROYALE [BIRTHDAY VERION]
- TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENTATION

DISC 3 – SPECIAL FEATURES
- OPENING DAY AT MARU NO UCHI TOEI MOVIE THEATRE
- THE SLAUGHTER OF 42 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
- PREMIERE PRESS CONFERENCE
- THE CORRECT WAY TO FIGHT IN BATTLE ROYALE
- ROYALE REHEARSALS
- MASAMICHI AMANO CONDUCTS BATTLE ROYALE
- SPECIAL EFFECTS COMPARISON
- BEHIND THE SCENES FEATURETTE
- FILMING ON SET
- TV SPOTS, PROMOS AND COMMERCIALS
- KINJI FUKASAKU TRAILER REEL

32 PAGE COMIC

36 PAGE BOOKLET INCLUDING:
- ‘A BATTLE WITHOUT AN END’ BY TOM MES, AUTHOR OF ‘THE MIDNIGHT EYE GUIDE TO NEW JAPANESE FILM’
- PRINTED INTERVIEW WITH DIRECTOR KINJI FUKASAKU
- ‘TODAY’S LESSON IS... YOU KILL EACH OTHER’ BY JAY MCROY, AUTHOR OF ‘JAPANESE HORROR CINEMA’ [LE EXCLUSIVE]
- EXTRACT FROM KOUSHUN TAKAMI’S ORIGINAL NOVEL [LE EXCLUSIVE]
- ORIGINAL PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL INCLUDING DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT, CAST AND CREW BIOGS [LE EXCLUSIVE]

16 PAGE BOOKLET INCLUDING:
- CONCEPT ARTWORK AND DRAWINGS FOR THE LIMITED EDITION SET [LE EXCLUSIVE]

5X7” POSTCARDS OF STILLS FROM THE FILM [LE EXCLUSIVE]
FOLD-OUT REVERSIBLE POSTER OF ORIGINAL ARTWORK

DVD News!

Sorry for the lack of updates - been beavering away on a few projects plus it's mental cold here in Glasgow at the moment. Anyway on with some cool recent releases you should check out:

Nikkatsu, Japan's oldest major movie studio, launched their Roman Porno erotic film line in 1971. Until 1988, the studio released more than one thousand of these films, made in a diverse range of styles and genres aimed squarely at the adult market. Impulse Pictures will be releasing over twenty-five Nikkatsu films, and this amazing trailer collection will give you a taste of these great Japanese sexploitation classics!

Trailers:

1. AFFAIR IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON: KYOTO TAPESTRY
2. APARTMENT WIFE: AFTERNOON AFFAIR
3. COED REPORT: YOKO’S WHITE BREASTS
4. CONFIDENTIAL REPORT: PROSTITUTE TORTURE HELL
5. DEBAUCHERY
6. EMBRACED BY THE DARKNESS
7. FEMALE GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR: JUMP AND STRADDLE
8. FEMALE TEACHER HUNTING
9. FEMALE TEACHER: DIRTY AFTERNOON
10. FEMALE TEACHER: IN FRONT OF THE STUDENTS
11. I LOVE IT FROM BEHIND!
12. IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER: BLUE CORAL REEF
13. LOVE HOTEL
14. LOVE HUNTER
15. NEW COMPANY GIRLS: 9 TO 5
16. NURSE DIARY: BEASTLY AFTERNOON
17. NURSE DIARY: MISCHIEVOUS FINGERS
18. NURSES GONE WILD!
19. NURSES’ DORMITORY: ASSY FINGERS
20. OFFICE LOVE: MIDDAY SANCTUARY
21. OH! WOMEN: DIRTY SONGS
22. PAINFUL BLISS! A SURPRISE TWIST
23. PEARL DIVER: TIGHT SHELLFISH
24. RACE ACROSS THE DRENCHED WASTELAND
25. RAPE ME
26. RAPE SHOT: MOMOE’S LIPS
27. RAPE!
28. SAYURI ICHIJO’S WEST LUST
29. SEX FIEND
30. SEX HUNTER: WET TRAGET
31. SHE CAT
32. THE LOVERS ARE WET
33. WET LIPS
34. WET LUST: 21 STRIPPERS
35. ZOOM IN: RAPE APARTMENTS
36. ZOOM UP: BEAVER BOOK GIRL

Extras:

* Booklet with liners notes from "Behind the Pink Curtain" author Jasper Sharp.
* Short film: "Ryoko´s Lesbian Flight" (30min), and a trailer for the short.

Two words: Buy this!

More MYA plus One 7 Movies

More titles from MYA and new kid on the block One 7 Movies:

DVD Giveaways!

Three more DVD's full of horror nonsense up for grabs from MVD Entertainment! To win simply email me or message me on Twitter

The DVD's in question are:

Horno

Scream Dream

Scream Queens Illusrated

CONTEST NOW CLOSED, WELL DONE TO THE WINNERS

Bruce Lee Friday's on SyFy

This Month the Syfy channel are running a Bruce Lee Friday’s season in November which begins this Friday (5th) at 10pm with The Way of the Dragon. This is followed by Fist of Fury (12th) Game of Death (19th) and finally The Big Boss on the 26th.

You can also vote HERE on what was Bruce Lee's best film!

You can watch Syfy on Sky 129 or 214 in HD or on Virgin Media on Channel 135 or 165 in HD

DVD News: Aaah! Zombies! & Assault of the Sasquatch

Aaah! Zombies!

"Zombies. You know 'em, you love 'em. But what do they think of you? In this hilarious twist on the Classic Zombie Tale, we see the world through Zombie eyes when a barrel full of Toxic Goo transforms four friends in to the Walking Dead, and suddenly, it seems every one else has gone mad. In the most unique Zombie story in years, the Zombies embark on a bumbling quest to find the "Truth", completely unaware of their rotting undeadness. After all, Zombies are people too."

Assault of the Sasquatch

"When a merciless bear poacher is caught and arrested deep in the woods of a state park, he and his truck are taken to a neglected precinct in the heart of a dying city. Unbeknownst to the authorities, the impounded truck holds a deadly cargo in the form of the legendary Sasquatch! Now, stuck in an unfamiliar world, the creature will let nothing and no one stop it from coming face-to-face with the unscrupulous man who ruthlessly ripped it from its environment. Taking an inventive and action packed approach, "Assault of the Sasquatch" breaths new and exciting life into the immortal legend of Bigfoot."

Extras:

* 'Don & Murph' Featurette
* 'Booty Poppin' Music Video
* Theatrical Trailer for 'Banshee!!!'
* Theatrical Trailer for 'Assault of the Sasquatch'
* Blooper Reel
* Commentary by Producers and Director
* English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio

I HAVE A COPY OF EACH TO GIVE AWAY - SIMPLY EMAIL ME OR MESSAGE ON TWITTER STATING WHAT FILM YOU WOULD PREFER!

Comics: MASK: The Rocky Dennis Story

Oh my, this is perhaps the funniest thing I've read in ages:

Click here for the funny!

Source: Cinema Sewer

Sinister Sunday of Shock

A Sinister Sunday of Shock! Glasgow Film Theatre, Oct 24th

If you've not done so already - go buy a ticket!

HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS:
THE GODFATHER OF GORE
...N/C 18+
Sunday 24 October (12.30)
Director Frank Henenlotter
USA 2010, 1h46m
Take an outrageous ride through the wild world of exploitation films with this fascinating documentary on the legendary ‘Godfather of Gore’, Herschell Gordon Lewis, the man who gave the world such retro campy classics as Blood Feast, Two Thousand Maniacs and The Wizard of Gore.

ARROW VIDEO PRESENTS
ISLAND OF DEATH 18
Sunday 24 October (2.45)
Director Nico Mastorakis
Greece 1975, 1h48m
Celebrating twenty-five years since the introduction of the Video Recordings Act, Arrow Video brings Glasgow patrons this exclusive screening of the Greek exploitation classic Island of Death. This insane blood and gore epic (one of the original video nasties) is both damning of right wing morality and also darkly hilarious. This screening will be followed by a Q&A session with director Nico Mastorakis.


UK PREMIERE
STALKER (AKA EXPOSE) N/C 18+
Sunday 24 October (5.30)
Director Martin Kemp
UK 2010, 1h28m
Continuing the ‘video nasty’ vibe is this remake of the 1976 shocker Expose (premiering under its new title Stalker), directed by erstwhile Spandau Ballet star Martin Kemp and featuring Hollywood sex siren Jane March (The Lover, Colour of Night). Here, March plays a writer struggling with her second novel who is soon terrorised by a homicidal PA. What follows is madness, murder and a rather untoward set piece with a cat! This screening will be followed by a Q&A session with producer Jonathan Sothcott.

ARROW VIDEO PRESENTS
DEMONS 18
Sunday 24 October (8.00)
Director Lamberto Bava
Italy 1985, 1h28, subtitles
One of the biggest and bloodiest Italian horror classics of the 1980s, Demons returns to the big screen for one night only. Directed by Lamberto Bava, son of the legendary Mario Bava, and produced by Dario Argento, this zombie shocker tells of an outbreak of flesh hungry ghouls inside a locked cinema.

Prior to Demons, we’ll screen a trailer reel of Ruggero Deodato’s infamous 1980 shocker Cannibal Holocaust. The film’s leading lady Francesca Ciardi will join us after the screening.

Following Demons will be Q&A session with the film’s special effects wizard Sergio Stivaletti.

A day pass is available for £22/£18. A further discount of £4 off the pass is applied for CineCards, see www.gft.org.uk/cinecard for details.

Arrow Films | Arrow Video | Classic, world, horror and cult films on DVD and Blu-ray Cult Labs - The friendliest Cult Forum on the Web

Site News!

Just a quick note to say that all the movie reviews now have their own separate page:

Past Reviews

Also you can now follow me on Tumblr as well @NicoF. It's basically just sh!t I like and that makes me smile! So enjoy and follow me there as well!

DVD Review: Faces of Schlock - Boobs and Blood Edition

Faces of Schlock: Boobs and Blood Edition

USA 2009
Directors: Justin Channell (segment "Mike Wuz Here"), Henrique Couto (segment "Slay Ride"), Chris LaMartina (segment "One Foot in the Grave"), Andrew N. Shearer (segment "Blood Witch")
Writers: Justin Channell, Henrique Couto, Zane Crosby, Jimmy George, Chris LaMartina, Josh Lively, Andrew N. Shearer
Starring: Izzie Harlow, Ruby Larocca, George Stover, Countess Samela, Josh Lively, Kert Rats, Grim Parsons, Monica Puller.
DVD Released: September 21st 2010
Cert: NR
Running Time: 105 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78: 1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
Distributor: Independent Entertainment
Region: 0 NTSC

The Film:

After Faces Of Schlock and Faces Of Schlock 2 comes Faces Of Schlock: Boobs & Blood Edition, promising to highlight....erm...boobs and blood, fine by me! A no budget Tales From The Crypt/Creepshow style spoof horror anthology written, directed by and starring a bunch of horror film geeks with waaay too much time on their hands. The tales are introduced by low-rent Elvira-alike Slutpira (Izzie Harlow) with the running gag that she's a serious actress making ends meet by doing these low budget gigs.

First up then is Blood Witch - an annoying goth lesbian that enjoys violently pummeling her own face to screaming orgasm summons the spirit of a dead (also lesbian) witch to murder anyone that even slightly pisses her off, like telemarketers and her roommate. It's a bizarre little tale with quite a bit of dark humour amidst all the menstruating women masturbating and dodgy close-ups of badly made-up faces. And if I might be permitted one politically incorrect statement per review let it be; the director of this one definitely has a thing for skanky fat chicks. The panty sniffing bugman was quite funny though so I'll lay off the big butt jokes. All in all it sets the tone pretty well for the rest of the stories we're about to see.

Next up is Mike Wuz Here - the employees of a local movie theatre want rid of an annoying ghost that haunts the building after committing suicide in it's basement. Unfortunately said spook is actually a paid employee of the theatre and won't stand for any anti-dead discrimination. It's a talky equal rights allegory for the most part (the bigots are referred to as boogits, hardy-har-har) until the ghost decides enough is enough, possesses one of the living employees and goes on a murder spree. Weakest story of the bunch I thought.

Followed by One Foot In The Grave - A dancer with a mysterious foot injury finally has her cast removed to reveal a nasty looking limb that makes even her foot fetishist boyfriend throw up all over his rug. She is told by her podiatrist that she will have to have the festering limb amputated or the infection will spread and she'll die. Lucky for her the doctor just happens to have a hacksaw handy and a witch pal that's in the market for a virgin's foot. The foot itself has other plans however, namely taking vengeance on those that parted it from it's owner. Which leads to a truly whacked out couple of revenge killings including one guy getting the foot booted right up his arse, through his intestinal tract and eventually out his mouth, nice! Probably the best little tale of the lot for that scene alone plus the bit at the start when the witch kills a dweeb for his foot only to find he's in a wheelchair and doesn't have any legs.

And finally Slay Ride - another goth brat, this time played by colourfully tattooed and pierced Ruby Larocca, gets grounded at Christmas while her parents head off on vacation leaving her at the mercy of her school science partner and a local redneck 'slow kid' that enjoys chopping effigies of teenage "gurls" into little bits with an axe, but which of those two is really the most dangerous? Wildly tedious until Santa turns up and takes out the bad guys with the star from atop the Christmas tree.

All of the above 25-30 minute segments look like they were filmed in the actor's actual homes, this really is NO budget film making. That said the acting isn't nearly as terrible as you might expect it to be with some actually almost pretty good performances in Mike Wuz Here and One Foot In The Grave. Izzie Harlow isn't all that bad as Slutpira either despite her occasionally forced delivery. Top marks to the producers as well for actually giving us some Boobs and Blood with at least four completely gratuitous shower/bath scenes and bucket loads of ketchup. The writing isn't bad either with occasional instances of spot on satirical humour adrift in a sea of blood and dick jokes.

The Disc:

The 1.78:1 anamorphic image is somewhat soft but nevertheless features good detail and solid colors. The English stereo track is choppy, sounds like it was recorded with a camcorder mic really but it is consistently audible.

Extras (and there's a shitload!) include -

A commentary track featuring what seems like everybody involved in the production! Each segment has it's own separate commentary featuring variably the actors, writers, directors and producers. They sound like a friendly bunch of geeks and they have a good time yakking over their work here providing interesting anecdotes about the filming.

A wealth of behind the scenes and outtake material for each segment including the Slutpira wraparounds; collectively running around 50 minutes this is an interesting look at how the production was filmed and an oft times languorous lesson in no budget film making - bloody hell it was their own homes they were shooting in! Lots of interviews, brain farts and goofs.

Also included is a World Premiere featuretteSlutpira head off to West Virginia (I think) to show their movie on the big screen for the first time. Running at 30 minutes this was actually the most entertaining part of the entire disc for me as it's an almost bittersweet little documentary and I thought the drunk guy that hassled them outside the theatre was fucking hilarious.

And finally a 30 minute look at the gang trying to sell their movie at the Cinema Wasteland 2009 con, a few episodes of Henrique Couto's short animated web series 'Drawing A Blank' and some trailers and a music video.

Review by Giuseppe Rijitano

DVD News: Sexy Timetrip Ninjas

“SEXY TIMETRIP NINJAS”

Sasuke the Ninja is tasked with finding a hidden treasure that will reestablish his clan. His only obstacle is the sexy ninja Kagero, who wants the riches for her rival clan. When they fall through a rift in time to 1980s Tokyo, they must put aside their differences and use their wits — and bodies — to survive! Academy Award® Winner Yojiro Takita (”Departures”) directs this hilarious and sexy ninja adventure!

DVD SPECS:
• Japanese Language with English Subtitles
• Widescreen Presentation
• SEXY TIMETRIP NINJAS International Trailer
• SEXY TIMETRIP NINJAS Original Japanese Art Work
• Special Feature: Interview with Ninja Historian, Dr. Alex Bay
• Still Image Slideshow
• Cast and Crew Biographies and Filmographies
• Sneak Peeks: More PINK EIGA Trailers

DVD News: The Japanese Wife Next Door: Part 2

PINK EIGA, Inc. is thrilled to announce their newest release, “THE JAPANESE WIFE NEXT DOOR – PART 2,” veteran Pink Eiga director Yutaka Ikejima's (aka. 'Mr. Pink') sequel to the hit Pink Eiga, “THE JAPANESE WIFE NEXT DOOR.”

“THE JAPANESE WIFE NEXT DOOR – PART 2”

Every choice you make can change the course of your life. This is the premise of THE JAPANESE WIFE NEXT DOOR series. Beginning exactly the same as Part One, a businessman's life is almost complete; all he needs is a wife. He meets two women... and this time he marries the rich one -- whose family just happens to be a bunch of sado-masochistic sociopaths!

Directed by ‘Mr. Pink,’ Yutaka Ikejima, and starring the sexy Yazaki Akane and with a special appearance by erotic bombshell Reiko Yamaguchi, star of part one, the JAPANESE WIFE NEXT DOOR - PART 2 is a raunchy and bizarre erotic comedy! The film had its North American premier at the prestigious 2010 New York Asian Film Festival.

DVD SPECS:

• Japanese Language with English Subtitles
• Featurette: Interview with Director Yutaka Ikejima
• Featurette: Interview with Star Reiko Yamaguchi
• Featurette: Interview with Composer Hitomi Oba
• 5.1 Surround Sound
• Widescreen Presentation
• THE JAPANESE WIFE NEXT DOOR: Part 2 International Movie Trailers
• Cast and Crew Biographies and Filmographies
• Still Image Slideshow
• Original Japanese Artwork
• Sneak Peek: More PINK EIGA Trailers

STREET DATE: September 30th, 2010 (Pre-Release: September 14th, 2010)

DVD Review: Lights, Camera, Dead!

Lights Camera Dead

USA 2007
Director: Tim Reaper
Writers: Monica Reaper, Tim Reaper
Starring: Wes Reid, Amy Lollo, J.C. Lira, Monica Moehring, Richard Christy, Coldon Martin, Ashby Brooks, Stephanie Caston.
DVD Released: August 20th 2010
Cert: NR
Running Time: 77 minutes
Aspect Ratio: Letterboxed NTSC
Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: N/A
Distributor: SRS Cinema
Region: 0 NTSC

The Film:

Ryan Black (Wes Reid) is an aspiring filmmaker attempting to direct his first feature; a gory horror about a couple of wannabe witches that meddle with the dark forces and end up unleashing the undead. Unfortunately he doesn't have a clue what he's doing, his lead actress has been cast for her bra size rather than her acting ability and his half-assed amateur crew are a bunch of complete morons. It doesn't help when Ryan starts berating them all either and since none of them are actually being paid it's not long before they all just give up and leave. Ryan however, with the help of his script-writer Steve (J.C. Lira) decides to ressurrect the failed project with one minor rewrite to the script - actually kill the actors and just film it! Inviting the cast and crew to a special midnight screening of what little was shot before they all quit they all assemble at a remote farm out in the sticks for a premiere they'll never forget.

Synopsis doesn't sound all that bad does it? They never do. Trouble is this is another indie cheapfest made by a bunch of guys in their backyard. They've got heart I'll give them that. An imaginatively put together title sequence is about the most visually arresting thing you'll see throughout this as it's a very amateurish production from all standpoints including the technical. The acting is of course dire which is a shame because there are a few very funny almost Clerks-like moments of dialogue and it's a pity that there isn't much more of that sharp satirical humour about the behind the scenes making of a cheap movie because it's a damn sight more fun than the z-movie horror aspect that takes over the story. But then even good writing fails miserably when spouted by terrible actors so maybe not. Unfortunately this one's also light on gore which is surely unforgivable for what appears to be touted as a low budget splatterfest. OK well there is a pugfaced actress with massive tits at least and great emphasis is put on the fact that she's going to have to do topless nudity to appear in the film within a film but alas even that small, sad, pathetic pleasure is denied us as she remains fully clothed throughout; the pre-pubescent gamerz generation have a phrase that suitably expresses my displeasure - EPIC FAIL.

The Disc:

Dodgy, soft looking, grim, letterboxed transfer. Looks like it was filmed on VHS. English 2.0 track is audible throughout and that's the best thing I can say about it .

Extras (yes there's extras!) include -

A commentary track featuring the director Tim Reaper, actress Monica Moehring, composer Mean Gene, and executive producer Jonathan Straiton - It's a friendly informal light-hearted chat, seemingly filmed in the participants living room with much alcohol to hand. Most interesting fact gleaned from this track; apparently Moehring didn't show her tits because she's a schoolteacher!

A 2nd commentary track featuring actor Richard Christy - Bit of a cheat this one as it actually only runs for 3 minutes over Christy's short scene in the movie and pretty much consists of Christy narrating what we are actually seeing.....

The Music Box - A 16 minute short film featuring Monica (no you can't see my massive tits) Moehring yet again. This was a fairly gruelling quarter of an hour home movie in which she plays a girl browsing a flea market and ends up buying a music box that appears to be covered in human skin (ala the Necronomicon) hilarity ensues........

Review by Giuseppe Rijitano

DVD and Blu-Ray News: Inferno

Remember guys, Monday 13th Dario Argento's Inferno from Arrow Video will be available in stores in the UK and available to order online NOW in both DVD and Blu-Ray. It's a frankly stupendous package so go buy it!

Not convinced? Well check out the specs:

SPECIAL FEATURES:

THIS AMAZING 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION CONTAINS:
- Reversible sleeve with original and newly commissioned art work
- Double-sided fold-out poster
- Collector’s Booklet featuring brand new writing on Inferno by Alan Jones, author of Profondo Argento

BLU-RAY DISC 1 CONTAINS:
- Brand new restoration of the film, available fully uncut for the first time in the UK
- High Definition Presentation of the film (1080p)
- Optional 5.1 DTS / Stereo / Mono audio
- Choice of original Italian and English audio

BLU-RAY DISC 1 – SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Introduction by star Daria Nicolodi (1080p)
- Dario’s Inferno (1080p)
- Acting in Hot Water: An Interview with Daria Nicolodi (1080p)
- The Other Mother: Making the Black Cat - Director Luigi Cozzi goes behind the scenes of The Black Cat, his rarely seen, totally unofficial, 1989 sequel to Inferno (1080p)
- Inferno Q&A with Irene Miracle, Keith Emerson and Tim Lucas [Blu-ray exclusive] (1080p)
- X marks the spot (1080p)

DVD DISC 2 – SPECIAL FEATURES:
- Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava on Inferno
- 'Dario Argento: An Eye for Horror' Mark Kermode narrates this documentary on Argento’s career including interviews with George A. Romero and John Carpenter
- The Complete Dario Argento Trailer Gallery [18 films]