The Satanic Rites Of Dracula (Blu-ray Review)
We are finally living in the riches of the Hammer Dracula films on Blu-ray (As well as hopefully other classics next year). In the final 3 months of the year we’ll have seen The Horror of Dracula, Dracula: Prince of Darkness, Dracula AD 1972 and the film for this review The Satanic Rites of Dracula. Globally, The Legend of the Seven Golden Vampires will complete the canon, domestically (In the US) its that and a Scars of Dracula shy. The Satanic Rites of Dracula was originally slated for an October release but was delayed until November. But, its now here and maybe for the first time in its existence, people are very excited for it. While no bonus features (Aside from the trailer) are present, just the fact that this film has been rescued from public domain hell and will have a nice transfer, audio and be presented in a correct anamorphic view is bonus enough. Order yourself a copy to help complete your Hammer Dracula collection by clicking the Amazon link below. Continue reading ‘The Satanic Rites Of Dracula (Blu-ray Review)’
When we talk about character longevity, are there any greater than Tarzan? The Blu-ray I’m about to review is for a 1959 film that is the 26th (I believe) either film or serial based on the character. That’s a lot. Surprisingly its one of the best received of the bunch too. What makes this one stand out? After Lex Barker carried the mantle clear of Weissmuller’s long shadow, Gordon Scott was free to claim the crown of King of the Jungle. His Tarzan was keen, intelligent, and literate – much as Tarzan’s creator, Edgar Rice Burroughs, had envisioned – and in the aptly named Tarzan’s Greatest Adventure, Scott’s run as the jungle lord reached a peak in what is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the prodigious series of action adventure classics. Warner Archive Collection has released it on Blu-ray (November 13th), which you can order from the Amazon link following the review.
One of the most anticipated released of the year is undoubtedly Scream Factory’s Complete Collection of the four Critters films. On Blu-ray for the first time ever, you’ll remember this as a Wishlist (2019’s is coming folks, be patient) title from me many moons ago. I have to say I would have settle for bare bones releases, but I’m tickled that these are getting some full on love now! And, I’m really encouraged by the excitement this release has brought. My social media alone was blowing up when I posted a picture of my review copy when it arrived. People from left field were very enthusiastic about it. Needless to say, I hope it translates into some good dollars for the good people at Shout! Factory. I’m LOVING this Warner Bros deal this year. Many many many dreams have come true. Make yours come true by pre-ordering a copy of this impressive set in time for Tuesday’s (November 20th) release date. Act fast as its currently set at a little over $10 a film. 
One of Shout Factory’s biggest and most popular releases of its Shout Select line has been Walter Hill’s Streets Of Fire. It was a pretty impressive release that was loaded to the brim with bonus materials. A film that fittingly serves as a musical cult classic of sorts turns 35 years old next year, but they are making way on putting the anniversary edition for it out now. The film is not only getting some fresh new steelbook packaging, but a new audio track from the original mix is going to be presented here as well. The rest of the release and video transfer remain intact. If you’re an audio nut, Streets of Fire completionist or simply haven’t picked up the film yet, now you have a new version to drop your dollars on. Streets of Fire – 35th Anniversary Edition Steelbook was released on November 20t, so you can order a copy now. 
We are just weeks away from the sneak peak and then ultimate release of James Wan’s Aquaman starring Jason Momoa and Amber Heard. Because of Wan’s involvement, my worry about the DC project is less so than many of the others. To celebrate the new film and to help people brush up or learn Aquaman, the DC Animated Universe is rereleasing and upgrading their film Justice League: Throne of Atlantis on a new 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray release. This is the story that introduced the character to the current roster after a tease at the end of Justice League: War. This particular version is widely available now and you can nab yourself a copy by clicking the Amazon link below the review.
Scream Factory has really found it rejuvenated in 2018 with a load of great new Collector’s Editions of classic horror films both new and old, any era really. I’m really looking forward to them tackling a Hammer Dracula film next month. Right now, we have Mike Dougherty’s modern cult classic and absolutely beloved Trick ‘r Treat film. The iconic Halloween anthology film is has been given a definitive and iconic release. Shipping delays and production issues have lead me to being one of the last people to have a copy of it, as many fans already have one in hand. Late or on time, it doesn’t matter, Why So Blu is going to have some coverage as someone will be searching for it at some time. Available since October, you can order this bad boy by clicking on the Amazon link below. 
One of the biggest holes in the United Stats Blu-ray library has been 1992’s Candyman, inspired by the Clive Barker short story “The Forbidden”. Available on a straightforward UK Blu-ray for many years, its come as a shocker considering its iconic villain (Played by the brilliant Tony Todd) and the fact it is considered one of the greatest horror films of the 1990s and all time. FINALLY, this is drought is over and it’ll will be releasing in spectacular fashion on November 20th when Scream Factory brings their 2-Disc Blu-ray to the table. Last month saw Arrow release a deluxe edition for the UK, but now its Scream Factory’s turn to wow us. Pre-order is available for this MUST HAVE title by clicking the Amazon link following the review. 
Much of Disney’s live action output has been live action renditions of previously animated films. There are some that have been interesting aspects or sort of follow ups to what may have come before. Christopher Robin, one of Disney’s later movies in its summer output, follows the life of Winnie the Pooh’s Christopher Robin long after he’d grown and left his childhood friends behind. The film did some solid box office, ALLLLMOST clearing $100 million in the US alone. I’m not sure the budget on the film as to know what degree of success it was or wasn’t. You can pick up the film already on Blu-ray as it was released on November 6th. The release comes with a DVD and a digital copy and nice little set of featurettes. Blu-ray only, no 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray. 
While it shouldn’t have been, the box office success and juggernaut attitude of Crazy Rich Asians took the US by storm at the end of the summer. It played like a programmer of old, opening to $26 million and legging it all the way to over $173 million. I mean, damn, the movie almost did $200 million in the states alone. Its been awhile since we had a big dominant comedy of that stature. Its all but guaranteed we will get to see the full trilogy of novels adapted to the big screen. And hopefully will kick off some more heavily Asian casted and cultured movies in the United States that aren’t just imports. You’ll be able to pick this one up when Warner Bros releases the film on November 20th. Pre-order a copy to have ready for watching and rewatching over the the Thanksgiving holiday weekend! 
Coming along for the Blu-ray ride with the 20th anniversary of Urban Legend is its sequel Urban Legends: Final Cut. Unlike its predecessor, Final Cut has never been on Blu-ray before, so its making its debut here. But, like the first one, this little slasher had a cast of nobodies that later did become somebodies. In the right light, this is a pretty fun swift little slasher that people may fine themselves enjoying more with an 18-year distance and less uptight about the stakes of watching it. Anyway, while its not getting a 2 and a half hour documentary on making it, they are putting for a nice little retro mini-doc for the film and a new interview with actress Jessica Cauffiel (Perhaps while she was doing a Valentine interview). It arrives the same day as the original, November 20th. 
Scream Factory has been crushing it with the late 90s pop horror as of late, especially due to the new sublicensing they have been doing through Warner Bros and Sony. And with that, comes the slashers that were refreshed and reborn during that time. One of the most notable of such that wasn’t Scream, was Jamie Blanks’ Urban Legend. Sub out scary movies for the age old tales of fear from yesteryear and its pretty easy to run with. This will be the first of two Collector’s Editions of Blanks’ slashers (Valentine is finally coming in February), getting a whopping 2-disc treatment. And, they’ve brought almost every back for this with the exception of an obvious pair of actors you could easily guess don’t show up. I’ll give you a hint before we dive in, but this is a pretty special release that you should lock in your pre-order for in time to watch November 20th! 
I know The Meg is based off a book, which we’ll cover in a moment, but one look at its insane trailer, crazy cast and cute name had me instantly at hello many months ago. I didn’t even care if the movie was a turd or a shipwreck of events. I had to go see it if for nothing else than to get my DC Batwoman err I mean Ruby Rose fix, but I digress. I just like saying Ruby Rose for some reason. It flows off your tongue effortlessly and it’s fun to say and count all her tattoos too. Didn’t I say I digress a second ago? Well this time I really do mean it. More importantly The Meg is really just a movie about a big @$$ shark. It was released in my favorite summer month of August. It features something that I never see here in Austin, TX…beaches and water. What was not to love about it already? Am I right? Damn right I am!
I’m not sure what milestone hit for Wolfgang Petersen’s Air Force One to jump to Blu-ray, but I’m not going to question grabbing an awesome 1990s action movie here on the best format with both a picture and audio jump in quality. Perhaps they selected putting the Harrison Ford US President defends his plane against terrorists film on November 6th to coincide with the midterm elections that took place earlier in the week. If so, you’re one clever little pony over there, Sony. As mentioned, this new edition will feature a new Atmos mix and will carry over the Wolfgang Petersen audio commentary from the previous release (“Legacy Bonus Features” being the hot term now). I apologize for no pre-order link (Amazon’s search is more difficult than need be for it), but I’m sure if you peruse the internet well enough, you’ll be able to snag a copy. 
It bummed me out that I wasn’t able to make it to Blindspotting during its wider theatrical run. It seemed like I had a lot of time to catch it, but the stars never aligned just perfectly for me. Luckily, I do review Blu-rays, so now the opportunity has arisen and I’m jumping at it. And they are rewarding me with, of all things, an ATMOS track! This film that wow’d audiences at Sundance and SXSW makes it way home with two feature commentaries and some featurettes to boot. It looks like a nice little release given the circumstances or it not being a major wide venture. Hopefully it hangs around for some awards steam and gets a pick me up. You can pick it up on your own when arrives November 20th. Pre-order using the Amazon link below. 
Whenever I hear the name Sylvester Stallone my mind is instantly wired to think of both the fictional heroes of Rocky and Rambo. Sure the guy has had many other great roles over his career, but in my opinion these two are absolutely iconic. His face is the symbol of hope, motivation and obviously the hero of these two franchises. Let’s table Rocky for a few weeks though as he’ll get enough coverage with the upcoming Creed 2 feature later this month. Instead let’s focus all our attention on the war machine…err should I say character…of the hour, Mr. John J. Rambo. First Blood back in good ole’ 1982 is where it all started for this iconic action hero and that’s exactly where we’re going to start down below.
We are going to be getting a fifth and final film covering the life and times of one John Rambo, as portrayed by Sylvester Stallone. Lionsgate is taking the original three film and giving them the 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray update before that happens next year. No word as of yet on the fourth film from 10 years ago, but one can assume they won’t leave that one hanging dry for long. Now that Rambo has been laid out, how about our old pal Jigsaw get his series ported over to 4K? Sorry, I’ll stay on point. This review will be covering the third film, a film that was easily the weakest of the original run and almost self-parody. BUT, still pretty darn entertaining as just some junky 1980s action picture. You can pre-order it by using the Amazon link following the review. 
Stephen King is so hot right now, right? After It exploded in theaters worldwide, it would seem people are chomping at the bit for new adaptations. We’ll see if people are pumped for Pet Sematary continues to keep the fire burning next Spring. In the meantime, lets get the older films based on his works some continued love on the Blu-ray format. Last month saw Maximum Overdrive land itself a Vestron Video debut. Now, Scream Factory will be putting together one of his least popular works in that of Sleepwalkers, directed by Mick Garris who is no stranger to directing a King adaptation. While the film is what it is, the story of the film, I’m sure could be quite entertaining and that’s what works so well with these Collector’s Editions. We’ll be able to find out when it releases on Blu-ray November 6th! 
