Land Of The Dead – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)
When Dawn of the Dead (The Snyder version) became a big success, Universal final ponied up for George Romero’s fourth film in his vision for his legendary zombie “Of The Dead” series. Coming in the summer of 2005, the film didn’t really take off like Snyders, but importantly, the thing finally got made. And I think those who saw it are fond of it, but I’m sure there are detractors. Scream Factory is revisiting the film for a brand spanking new edition twelve years later, giving you both cuts of the film as well as a slew of brand new interviews as well as all of the old bonus material. This one will be available at the same time that Zack Snyder’s Dawn of the Dead will be available, which is Hallowen. You can pre-order the Collector’s Edition from the link below. Continue reading ‘Land Of The Dead – Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray Review)’
Director Michael Haneke (Funny Games, Amour) and his attention to storytelling are celebrated by this release of The Piano Teacher from the Criterion Collection in a way that honors the film’s unique quality and its director’s masterful use of the medium of film to tell a story. Watching the film itself is a transformative experience; one that concludes with some viewers wondering if they may have just seem the best movie ever made and some completely baffled by why a person would decide to make this into a film. Personally, I am in the former category. Let’s take a closer look at this blu-ray release to see why it is a necessity for any lover of sometimes-uncomfortable but endlessly watchable films.
I’m keeping the mini-archiving reposting of past columns that I truly adore going and this being the month of all hallows eve horror is the genre of the day – welcome to Forgotten Friday Flick! Grave digging all the way back to Nov. 7, 2014 was the post of a frightful film that I lovingly refer to as the thinking man’s zombie film. It’s a Canadian import that’s such a terrific blend of horror and intelligence that one may feel the desire and need to watch it twice. But watch what you say – the wrong word may trigger an unwanted reaction. Welcome to….Pontypool!
Short crop of indie features dissected below (covering those film festivals takes time folks!), but this week I’ve also included something extra. So alongside a trio of flicks given their review due, there’s also a short film too to give the ardent movie lover a little more. Docs on card jockeys, stories involving family turbulence and survival stories all alongside a short by notable female filmmakers Megan Brotherton (will her latest make the cut?) are all given the once over via my Encapsulated Movie Reviews. Check out critical opinions on Dealt, The Only Living Boy In New York (out on Digital HD!), Jungle and the short film Buttercup below!
I know. Say no more. I already know what you’re thinking. The Snowman is a ridiculous title for a crime thriller movie. I concur with you. However, even if it should melt after the First Act there’s always Rebecca Ferguson in it. I have nothing but rave things to say about her. So why not. I’ll give her a chance in just about anything she’s in. There’s also some other star power in this one too, but I digress. We’ll get to all their names in just a bit. Before we move on let’s just be honest with ourselves here for a brief moment. Per the film’s trailer how can you not be moved by a film that uses cute looking snowmen as a killer’s calling card? I know, right! 
When it comes to the early and mid-2000s, the trends in horror were all about remakes, leaning on J-horror (Remakes of Japanese horror films) and older classics. One of the big reasons the trend kept going for so long (Still around today) the film we have here; Zack Snyder’s redo of George Romero’s Dawn of the Dead. Crazy enough, that film was thirteen years ago. Its been out on Blu-ray in just that one version since Blu-ray came out. Now, its time to give it an update, upgrade and make-over. And who better than Scream Factory to upgrade with some new interviews and both cuts of the film. As far as double dipping, c’mon its been thirteen years and most of you probably got it for under ten bucks when you did. My only gripe is that its this one getting an upgrade and not the original. But that’s not on Scream. Their new edition will be available to you to come home to after a good night of Trick or Treating on Halloween! 
The sting of scary cinema via the Screamfest Horror Film Festival 2017 (go to 
Last year brought some excitement when the DC Animated Universe turned its sites to a sort of resurrection of the 1960s television era of Batman with their Return of the Caped Crusaders movie. Said film returned Adam West, Burt Ward and Julie Newmar to their roles of Batman, Robin and Catwoman respectively. Of course, other villains (Done in the style and vocal likeness) showed up as well. Now, we get the focus on a A-list Batman villain that never popped up on the show, with a known 1960s acting commodity that never guest starred on the program either. William Shatner will enlist his vocals to bring to life a 1960s version of Tw0-Face in the sequel to Return of the Caped Crusaders which makes its debut on Blu-ray, October 17th. 
Nobody does movie revenge quite like the Irish! Hot off the Sundance circuit midnight series and out this week in select cinemas and On Demand from the great Well Go USA, it’s time for a little powerful picture payback in the form of the five-star film Bad Day For The Cut. Below is a reposting of my Sundance film review to remind folks why it’s not only a flick in full contention for my Top Ten Films of 2017 but also well worth seeking out. (Plus for those who require more insight check out an interview with Director Chris Baugh…
Are we seeing Holiday Horror becoming “in” or something. Like, is a quick little fad beginning to start? It seems not too long ago we were delivered a splendid little gift in the shape of Krampus, which has become an annual watch come Christmas time for me (Well, okay, for like 2 years, but IT WILL CONTINUE!). Last week saw the streaming release of Better Watch Out, another twisted Christmastime tale. Here, we have Red Christmas (Yes, Black Christmas has already been taken now-TWICE). This one boasts a little bit of comedy and genre icon Dee Wallace behind the wheel of this mayhem. You’ll be able to sink into it when the film arrives on Blu-ray October 17th. So, its gets here in time for Halloween and you’ll be able to revisit it for the holidays. Perfect! 
I don’t mean to steal anyone’s thunder so please don’t think that of me here. However, what I want to do is call attention to a quote on the cover of this 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release of Warrior. I typically hate these unimaginative one-liners, but this one stands out to me because it’s more than three words and it accurately sums up my opinion of Warrior in a mere tagline. It simply reads “As Powerful and Unforgettable As Rocky” (Edward Douglas, ComingSoon.net). That’s exactly how my first viewing of Warrior back in 2011 went down. I remember it like it was yesterday. I recall living up in cold Cleveland, OH and my local Cinemark holding free screenings of this film. I had no idea what it was and like the ignorant prick I can be towards things I know nothing about I did not take advantage of it. Around this same time I bought my first Apple TV and for some reason or another Warrior was a free rental one cold weekend. I thought to myself what do I have to lose. I hit play and I remember laying there in front of my television never wanting the drama unfolding on the screen to ever end. That’s exactly how I feel about another legendary sports drama film, Rocky, each and every time I watch it. Therefore, this announcement of Warrior on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray October 24th left me absolutely speechless in a good way. Read on to learn more about this 4K catalog release from Lionsgate.
