Strait-Jacket (Blu-ray Review)
On August 21st, Scream Factory will once again re-enter the world of one of cinema’s greatest showmen; William Castle. Two releases are on the way, one of those being the Joan Crawford led Strait-Jacket. Oddly enough, on the same day, Mill Creek is also releasing this title as a double feature with the film Berserk. Yes, that one is much cheaper, but as a reminder, you’re getting what you pay for. Look no further than Criterion’s Night of the Living Dead and Mill Creeks for an easy example. Scream Factory’s will be coming with a pretty substantial amount of bonus materials new and old. Be sure to keep your William Castle collection going with this release and pre-order from the Amazon link below to ensure you have one come release day! Continue reading ‘Strait-Jacket (Blu-ray Review)’
Experience the high octane action of one of the year’s most engrossing thrillers, SICARIO: DAY OF THE SOLDADO, as it debuts on digital and redeemable via the Movies Anywhere App, on September 18, and comes to 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD October 2 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Delving into the ruthless underworld of the war on drugs, Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro (Best Supporting Actor, Traffic, 2001) and Academy Award® nominee Josh Brolin (Best Supporting Actor, Milk, 2009) give explosive performances as they reprise their characters from Sicario to battle cartels across the border. Directed by Stefano Sollima (“Gomorrah”) and written by Academy Award® nominee Taylor Sheridan (Best Original Screenplay, Hell or High Water, 2016; Sicario), this dark and intense chapter also stars Isabela Moner (Transformers: The Last Knight), Jeffrey Donovan (TV’s “Fargo”), Elijah Rodriguez (Book of Life) and Academy Award nominee Catherine Keener (Best Supporting Actress, Capote, 2006; Best Supporting Actress, Being John Malkovich, 2000). 
On August 21st, Scream Factory will once again re-enter the world of one of cinema’s greatest showmen; William Castle. Two releases are on the way, one of them being the classic buzzing experience of The Tingler. With The Tingler, Scream Factory has notched themselves another Vincent Price film for their canon. You’ll remember they did three lovely collections of his works, which probably won’t be seeing a fourth for the forseeable future. But, this is Price AND Castle, which is exciting. It features some terrific features, both new for this release and classic ones to boot. You’ll want to get this pre-order in so you can experience this old schlocky thriller on day 1, by using the Amazon pre-order link below (And thanks as always when you do). 
We’re getting a brand new Predator film in September. We have a new 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray home video format. Makes too much sense, right? And Fox knows that. Originally, it was thought just the original was coming, but smartly, we’re getting the three Predator outings without a Xenomorph. This is a big deal for the videophile crowd as the transfer for Predator that has been used in the last few releases is one of massive controversy and has been the poster child for DNR abuse and doing too much in restoration for Blu-ray. The big question is if Fox took notes and how they’d approach it now. This is one of the coolest 4K Ultra-HD collections coming this year, so scroll on down after the review and order yourself a copy on Amazon to retire your old release(s). 
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. I don’t even care if the movie is a turd or a shipwreck of events. I have 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. The Meg is really just a movie about a big @$$ shark. It is being released in my favorite summer month of August. It features something that I never see here in Austin, TX…beaches and water. What’s not to love about it already? Am I right? Damn right I am! 
Brainscan feels perfectly at home as a part of Shout! Factory’s Scream Factory line. This 1990s film definitely can find itself in the “cult” status as the movie barely made itself known (Or even people aware) at the box office (Debuted at #10, didn’t even make $4.5 million) and likely found its life via premium cable movies channels and video rental stores. This was during the period where they were trying to make Edward Furlong a “thing”, only to find that unless its Terminator 2: Judgement Day, people weren’t going to show up. This film will be getting the love nobody probably ever expected it to deserve, with a load of brand new bonus features/interviews on this cool Blu-ray set. You can pre-order it from the Amazon link below to have it when it arrives on August 28th! 
Return of the Living Dead: Part II isn’t the only James Karen film that Scream Factory will be releasing on August 11th. Rodman Flender’s 1991 film, The Unborn starring Brooke Adams, will also be making its Blu-ray debut. This pregnancy, demon baby horror film produced by Roger Corman is in no way related to the 2009 film of the same title. This one actually wound up with a sequel as well. The release will feature a new 2K scan of the original film elements and a commentary from director Rodman Flender to boot. Hail as “More frightening than Rosemary’s Baby”, this is one you may want to revisit or add to your growing collection. You can ensure you have a copy by August 14, by pre-ordering from the Amazon link following the review. 
For those looking for an abundance of Indie outings your movie ship has come in! This week sees a massive and groundbreaking eleven smaller flicks dissected below – and one studio movie just for fun – to keep fans up to date on smaller film fare. (Told you I was gonna make up for mere trio of flicks covered last week!) Tales of possible killers next door, cloning for all the wrong reasons, an African-American cop messing with the ku klux klan, seven horror shorts squeezed together for a maximum single terror serving, demonic possession that runs in the family, trust in a post apocalyptic world, cops trapped inside a mazed gun-ridden drug den, coming of age in farm country, cybercrimes stopped by cybercops, learning to live life without cancer, being kidnapped alongside ones number one fan and a big budget killer fish flick (whew!) make up the eleven Indies and single big budget outing via this edition of Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out the critical skinny on Summer of 84, Elizabeth Harvest, BlacKkKlansman, Blood Clots, Along Came The Devil, What Still Remains, Buybust, The Swan, Ghost Source Zero, Hope Springs Eternal, Pretty Bad Actress and The Meg all below! 
Arthur Curry discovers his heroic roots, contends with diabolical foes and takes his place as Aquaman beside new “super” allegiances in the ultimate original story for everyone’s favorite underwater hero – now remastered for 4K presentation – in Justice League: Throne of Atlantis – Commemorative Edition. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment, the feature-length DC Universe Movie arrives from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Ultra HD Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Digital starting onNovember 13, 2018.
Back when I did Brandon’s Blu-ray Wishlist as a somewhat weekly piece instead of annual, Return of the Living Dead: Part II made my list for its own article. It was a pipe dream then, as it belonged to Warner Bros, who wasn’t licensing out or doing much with schlocky B-horror titles at all. And likely, we wouldn’t have it with the appropriate soundtrack/score in play (Their DVD replaced it with new music, which is available as an “Alternate Audio Track”). I received a lot of flack for “wishing” it, because, well its not that great a movie, but its part of the Return series and for some damn reason, I do return to it every now and then. I dunno, classic bad zombie movies can still be fun (Hello, Nightmare City). Wish granted, haters. And who better to put this out than Scream Factory, rubbing it in your face with a boatload of new features and restoring the original music. Go ahead, try not to pick it up on October 14th. Well, maybe you won’t, but I’m in! 
The time is coming. The seals are breaking. Judgment is at hand. As the signs of the apocalypse come to pass, only one woman can stop the impending supernatural doom in THE SEVENTH SIGN. On September 11, 2018, SCREAM FACTORY™ is proud to present THE SEVENTH SIGN on Blu-ray. Directed by Carl Schultz (The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles), this taut and riveting cult classic thriller stars Demi Moore (Margin Call), Michael Biehn (The Terminator), Peter Friedman (HBO’s Succession), and Jürgen Prochnow (In the Mouth of Madness). Available for the first time on Blu-ray, THE SEVENTH SIGN is a must-have for movie collectors, horror thriller enthusiasts, and contains new interviews with filmmaker and cast. Pre-order is available now at ShoutFactory.com. 
The elusive 80s thriller Scream for Help is making its long-awaited Blu-ray debut on September 18th, 2018 from Scream Factory! Directed by Michael Winner (Death Wish, The Sentinel) with a score by John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin), Scream for Help comes with a number of brand-new bonus features, including a new 2k scan from the original film elements, new audio commentary by the Hysteria Lives, a new interview with writer Tom Holland, and a new interview with actor David Allen Brooks. Fans can pre-order their copies now by visiting ShoutFactory.com.
Join five highly competitive friends as they hit the ground running in the most epic game of the summer when “Tag” arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital. From Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Broken Road production, this true story (We’re not kidding!) will now be yours to take home. “Tag” is directed by Jeff Tomsic (TV’s “Broad City”), with a starring ensemble cast led by Ed Helms (The “Hangover” movies, “We’re the Millers”), Jake Johnson (TV’s “New Girl”), Annabelle Wallis (“The Mummy”), Hannibal Buress (“Neighbors”), Isla Fisher (“Now You See Me,” “Wedding Crashers”), Rashida Jones (TV’s “Parks and Recreation”), Leslie Bibb (“Iron Man 2”), Jon Hamm (“Baby Driver,” TV’s “Mad Men”) and Oscar nominee Jeremy Renner (“The Hurt Locker,” “The Town,” “The Avengers” films). The “Tag” screenplay was written by Rob McKittrick (“Waiting”) and Mark Steilen (TV’s “Mozart in the Jungle”). The screen story is by Mark Steilen, which is based on The Wall Street Journal article entitled “It Takes Planning, Caution to Avoid Being It,” by Russell Adams. The film is produced by Todd Garner and Mark Steilen, with Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter and Hans Ritter serving as executive producers. 
Marking the return of one of the most iconic and influential global television franchises in history, the debut season of STAR TREK: DISCOVERY: SEASON ONE arrives on Blu-ray and DVD November 13 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution. The four-disc Blu-ray and DVD collections will feature all 15 Season One episodes of the CBS All Access original series, along with a trove of compelling featurettes and other special features.
An all-star cast drives to the hoop in the hilarious basketball comedy Uncle Drew,arriving on Digital September 11 and on 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray and Digital), Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand September 25 from Summit Entertainment, a Lionsgate company. Based on the hit Pepsi web series, the film tells the raucous tale of a young team owner and Uncle Drew rounding up Drew’s old basketball squad to prove that a group of septuagenarians can still win the big one. Starring in the film are NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving(Uncle Drew Web Series); Lil Rel Howery (Get Out, TV’s “Friends of The People” and “The Carmichael Show”); four-time NBA champion and Basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal (The LEGO Movie, Scary Movie 4); five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber (Unexpected, Like Mike); five-time NBA All-Star, Basketball Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold medalist Reggie Miller (He Got Game, Forget Paris); three-time NBA slam-dunk champion Nate Robinson (TV’s “Mike & Mike” and “Ridiculousness”); NAACP Award-winner Erica Ash (Scary Movie 5, You Can’t Fight Christmas, TV’s “Survivor’s Remorse”); two-time WNBA champion, three-time WNBA MVP, four-time Olympic Gold Medal winner and Basketball Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie (Think Like a Man, Martin, Inconceivable); with Tiffany Haddish (Girls Trip, Keanu, TV’s “The Carmichael Show”), and Nick Kroll (Sausage Party, Sing, TV’s “The League”). 
Celebrate the original beginning of the cult classic series when The Evil Dead arrives on 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack (plus Blu-ray™ and Digital) October 9 from Lionsgate. Written and directed by Sam Raimi, and starring Bruce Campbell in the role that made him a cult icon, this film follows five college friends who accidentally release a legion of demons and spirits. Experience four times the resolution of Full HD with 4K, as well as Dolby Vision™ HDR, to bring to life the stunning cinematography of this supernatural horror film. When compared to a standard picture, Dolby Vision can deliver spectacular colors never before seen on a screen, highlights that are up to 40 times brighter, and blacks that are 10 times darker. Available for the very first time in this absolutely stunning format, The Evil Dead 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack will be available October 9th. 
