Dan Curtis’ DRACULA Starring Jack Palance Available On Blu-ray May 27th!
May 2nd, 2014 by Brandon Peters
Academy Award winner Jack Palance stars in this terrifying adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel Dracula, written for the screen by sci-fi/horror master Richard Matheson (The Twilight Zone, I Am Legend, Duel) and produced by the legendary Dan Curtis (Dark Shadows, Trilogy of Terror, The Winds of War). Palance (City Slickers, Batman, Shane, Contempt) is Count Dracula, whose centuries-old existence is threatened after he attacks the lovely Lucy Westenra (Fiona Lewis, Dr. Phibes Rises Again), and her fiance (Simon Ward, The Tudors, Young Winston) calls in famed vampire hunter Dr. Van Helsing (Nigel Davenport, A Man for All Seasons; Mary, Queen of Scots) to investigate. Originally shown on CBS-TV in 1974, DAN CURTIS’ DRACULA has long been considered among the most frightening versions of the Dracula story; the Los Angeles Times called Palance “the definitive Count Dracula – as flesh-crawling an experience as you’ve ever had.” Filmed on location in England and Yugoslavia, DAN CURTIS’ DRACULA has been transferred and restored in 2K High Definition from the original 35mm camera negative and presented here on Blu-ray for the first time!Continue reading ‘Dan Curtis’ DRACULA Starring Jack Palance Available On Blu-ray May 27th!’
Just in time for the premiere of DreamWorks Animation’s highly-anticipated sequel, the Academy Award®-nominated 
When I moved to Austin, TX over a year ago from Cleveland, OH I expected my change of scenery to be quite stimulating and invigorating, but you all know that whole grass is always greener on the other side thing, right? While the skies may not be grey all the time like in Cleveland, I would take that downtown skyline any day. However, I say this only to illustrate a point because the same comparison can be made when analyzing recent DC super hero films to Marvel ones. Although I believe the Nolan Batman trilogy to be some of the best superhero films ever made, I can clearly see where comic book purists can get off complaining that the onscreen events are too dark, brooding and unconventional in terms of how a comic book movie should look, pop and shine on the big screen. I can accept that, so can most people, but also many cannot. So where am I going with all this? Well, let me get straight to the point I am trying to make. 
I’m back! I took last week off, but to make up for it, I’m coming at you with 2 movies that aren’t on Blu-ray today! And for the month of May, to kick off summer movie season I’m going to be doing double features each week (I may have another off week as my second child is due at the end of the month). Summer movies are usually loaded with film franchises and with that comes plenty of sequels sequels sequels. So, my focus is going to be on film franchises that aren’t complete on Blu-ray. The ones missing some of their sequels and bugging us OCD collectors looking at our shelves and seeing numbers that just don’t count up right. If you’re a Why So Blu reader, you probably know exactly what I mean. Without further adieu, let’s get started with this Special Edition month of Brandon’s Blu-ray Wishlist! 
This one brings some great excitement to the summer. Curtains, a long thought to be lost horror film, will be making the jump to glorious Blu-ray courtesy of Synapse Films. This has been on DVD before, but I think the DVD releases of the film are all just ripped from the VHS. So they’re kinda crummy and cropped/pan & scan. As a fan of this film, I’m glad to finally get to see it in its original form and presentation. This is the first of three biggie classic cult slasher acquisitions from Synapse Films (they also have Prom Night and Popcorn coming in the future). They do great work and take their time in restoring these, so it should be a nice treat. Also great, is its got one of those super cool retrospective docs as a a bonus feature. There’s no pre-order up yet, but no matter, this is an exciting day knowing it has a date and its just 2 months away! 
Love Happy marks the end of the Marx Brothers, kings of comedy in their hay day, as group on film. It was their 14th outing, which is incredibly impressive. Could you imagine trying to convince The Avengers to do 14 films together (I’m sure Marvel has, haha). The film is also noted for having Marilyn Monroe. Monroe is indeed in the film, but doesn’t show up til much later and has a little bit part, but man does she just exude star power. Unlike most Marx Brothers film affairs, the silent one-Harpo gets the lead role with Chico being the lead supporter. While it is their last film as starring players, the three never altogether share a frame (or scene) together once. Olive Films is bringing this final Marx Brothers film over to the Blu-ray format next new release Tuesday, May 6. 
The DC animated universe follows up its Justice League: War film with Son Of Batman. This is of course based of the comic arc where Batman discovers he has a son named Damian with Ra’s al Ghul daughter Talia. The film has been available for digital download since last Tuesday. Last week, Why So Blu’s very own Aaron Neuwirth had the privilege and pleasure of getting to see a screening of the film at WonderCon. You can read his thoughts on the film by clicking right 
Witness the start of the sexual revolution when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases the first season of the hit Showtime drama, MASTERS OF SEX, available on Blu-ray™, DVD & Digital June 24. The smart, stylish and seductive series, which premiered September 2013 to glowing reviews, chronicles the work and after-hours lives of the science of human sexuality’s pioneers, William Masters and Virginia Johnson. Michael Sheen (Midnight in Paris) portrays the brilliant and renowned fertility specialist (Golden Globe® nominated for his role) and Lizzy Caplan (Mean Girls) is the former nightclub entertainer who becomes his invaluable partner. Based on the book by Thomas Maier, the first season also features a top-notch ensemble cast. Costarring in the series is Caitlin FitzGerald (It’s Complicated), Teddy Sears (TV’s “American Horror Story”) and Nicholas D’Agosto (Final Destination 5). Guest stars in the series include Beau Bridges (The Descendants), Julianne Nicholson (August: Osage County) and Allison Janney (TV’s “Mom”). 
Here’s another Newport Beach Film Fest review focused on just one feature that I caught on Monday morning. Cas & Dylan is a Canadian-produced road trip comedy, focused on an odd couple that needs to be enjoyed, if one wants to enjoy this film as a whole. It is a bit cutesy in the way it presents a scenario that can be summed up by saying, “She’s a [blank] and he’s a [blank], but together, they’ll become best friends ready to do whatever.” Fortunately, Richard Dreyfuss and Tatiana Maslany make for a good pairing and the film gets enough mileage out of its comedy and drama to make this good-looking film a good watch as well.
Ahhh, back to those golden age early 1980s slashers. On the same day Evilspeak releases, Scream Factory also produces another Code Red title on Blu-ray with Final Exam. And I must say my jaw dropped when this one was announce. Final Exam took forever to find a home on DVD, so much that it felt like it was flirting with being one of those VHS titles that never made it to DVD. So, I just chalked this one up to never going to be on Blu-ray. Low and behold, HERE IT IS! I never owned the DVD because I quit buying DVDs long ago, so this was really my first time to see it in its original aspect and not a cropped used up 4:3 pan & scan VHS tape. Scream Factory upgrades the previous DVD release by bringing over its extras as well. 
It’s finally upon us. Scream Factory’s highly anticipated “Summer Of Fear”! We begin this wave of greatness with one of two joint ventures with Code Red DVD. We’re talking about the Clint Howard horror vehicle, Evilspeak which revolves around summoning satanists and demons via a computer. Said computer features Vecotr graphics. And as my friend Jim Dietz says “Vector Computer graphics will always be cool. Always.” And as always, Jim Dietz is right. This film is a rather grand horror effects spectacular surrounded by a rather noticeable and strong set of supporting actors. Scream Factory has ported over Code Red’s original supplemental material as well as added a bit of their own flare to go with Evilspeak’s Blu-ray review. 
