September Horrors from Arrow Video.

Arrow Video’s September lineup includes a Giallo masterpiece from Mario Bava, the four Psycho films in one thrilling collection and a groundbreaking J-horror in UHD. 

BLOOD AND BLACK LACE - on Limited Edition UHD and BD

 

 

The Christian Haute Couture fashion house is a home to models… and backstabbing… and blackmail… and drug deals… and MURDER.

Having established a template for the giallo with The Girl Who Knew Too Much, Mario Bava set about cementing its rules with BLOOD AND BLACK LACE. In doing so, he created one of the most influential films ever made – an Italian classic that would spearhead the giallo genre, provide a prototype for the slasher movie, and have a huge effect on filmmakers as diverse as Dario Argento and Martin Scorsese.

Newly restored from the original camera negative and presented here in its original uncut form, this all-new 4K Ultra HD release allows fans to see BLOOD AND BLACK LACE afresh and offers newcomers the ideal introduction to a major piece of cult filmmaking.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

- Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) (on the UHD release)
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation (on Blu-Ray release)
- Restored original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks
- Optional English subtitles for the Italian soundtrack
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtrack
- Audio commentary by Mario Bava’s biographer Tim Lucas
- Psycho Analysis – a documentary on Blood and Black Lace and the origins of the giallo genre featuring interviews with directors Dario Argento (Suspiria) and Lamberto Bava (Demons), screenwriter Ernesto Gastaldi (All the Colours of the Dark), critics Roberto Curti and Steve Della Casa, and crime novelists Sandrone Dazieri and Carlo Lucarelli
- An appreciation by Hélène Cattet & Bruno Forzani, the creative duo behind Amer and The Strange Colour of Your Body’s Tears
- Gender and Giallo – a visual essay by Michael Mackenzie exploring the giallo’s relationship with the social upheavals of the 1960s and 70s
- Blood and Bava – a panel discussion on Mario Bava featuring Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava and Steve Della Casa, recorded at the 2014 Courmayeur Film Festival
- The Sinister Image: Cameron Mitchell – an episode of David Del Valle’s television series, devoted to the star of Blood and Black Lace and presented in full
- The alternative US opening titles, sourced from Joe Dante’s private print
- Original theatrical trailer
- Image galleries
- Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady
- Limited edition 60-page perfect bound book featuring writing on the film by Howard Hughes, Alan Jones and David Del Valle, plus new writing by Rachael Nisbet and Kat Ellinger
- Fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady
- Six double-sided collector’s postcards

There is also an ARTE-ORIGINAL UHD release, featuring the original Italian theatrical artwork on the sleeve and slipcase.

Pre-order the UK 4K UHD from Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk

 

THE PSYCHO COLLECTION - Limited Edition UHD and BD collections

Shattering expectations and shocking audiences around the world, Alfred Hitchcock’s PSYCHO changed the face of cinema in 1960. It remains one of the most iconic and influential movies ever made.

Twenty three years later, Australian filmmaker Richard Franklin (Patrick, Road Games) boldly followed in the master’s footsteps and directed PSYCHO II, a sequel that not only delivered on the promise of his earlier films, but also lived up to Hitchcock’s original. Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) is declared sane and released from the facility in which he was being held. But is returning to the house he once shared with his mother, and running the motel that was the site of so many murders, really a good idea?

PSYCHO III would see Anthony Perkins himself take the franchise reins for his directorial debut. Fallen nun (Diana Scarwid as Maureen Coyle), a sleazy drifter (Jeff Fahey as Duane Duke), and a curious reporter looking for a scoop (Roberta Maxwell as Tracy Venables) all arrive at the Bates Motel and ‘Mother’ is less than happy, especially when Norman begins to fall in love. 

Meanwhile, PSYCHO IV : THE BEGINNING, written by Joseph Stefano (screenwriter of the 1960 original) and directed by master of horror Mick Garris, returns to the primal scene to show us how it all began in Anthony Perkins’ final franchise appearance. Starring Henry Thomas (E.T.) as young Norman and Olivia Hussey (Black Christmas) as his mother, Norma.

Presented together for the first time in the UK on 4K UHD and Blu-Ray, featuring all new restorations of PSYCHO II, III and IV from the original camera negatives, Arrow Video invites you back inside the Bates Motel and wishes you a very pleasant stay.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
-4K (2160p) Ultra HD presentations of all four films (1080p HD on Blu-Ray release)
-New 4K restorations of Psycho II, Psycho III and Psycho IV from the original camera negatives
-Original lossless mono and 5.1 audio options for Psycho, Psycho II and Psycho III, lossless mono and stereo audio options for Psycho IV
-Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
-Reversible Sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
-Double-sided posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
-9 postcard sized reproduction art cards
-120-page perfect bound collector’s book featuring new writing by film critics John-Paul Checkett and Johnny Mains plus select archival material.

DISC 1- PSYCHO
- Audio Commentary with Stephen Rebello, Author of Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho
- The Making of Psycho documentary
- In the Master's Shadow, Hitchcock's Legacy featurette
- Hitchcock / Truffaut audio interview with scenes from the movie
- Newsreel Footage: The Release of Psycho featurette
- The Shower Scene: With & Without Music featurette
- The Shower Sequence, Storyboards by Saul Bass image gallery
- Psycho Sound featurette
- The Psycho Archives image gallery
- Posters and Psycho Ads image gallery
- Lobby Cards image gallery
- Behind the Scenes Photographs image gallery
- Publicity Shots image gallery
- Theatrical Trailer
- Re-Release Trailers

DISC 2 - PSYCHO II
- New audio commentary by Michael Brooke and Johnny Mains
- Audio commentary by screenwriter Tom Holland
- Behind the Curtain, The Masters of Horror on Psycho panel discussion with screenwriter Tom Holland and Psycho IV director Mick Garris moderated by Robert Galluzzo
- Giving Bloch His Due, interview with Chet Williams, author of "Psycho: Sanitarium" on the legacy of Norman Bates' creator, author Robert Bloch
- Anthony Perkins TV interview
- Anthony Perkins Audio interview
- Richard Franklin Audio interview
- "Richard Franklin On Set" featurette
- Richard Franklin scene commentary
- A sequel to a classic
- The house on the hill
- Personality profile: Anthony Perkins
- Personality profile: Richard Franklin
- Still crazy after all these years
- Behind the scenes
- Anthony Perkins interview
- Vera Miles interview
- Janet Leigh interview
-Jerry Goldsmith demo
-Trailers & TV spots
- Image Gallery
- Audio Press Kit/promotional record (plays during almost the entire film)
- Record gallery

DISC 3 -PSYCHO III
- New Commentary by Michael Brooke and Johnny Mains
- Audio Commentary by screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue
- Carnival of the Heart, a new visual essay by film scholar Alexandra Heller Nicholas
- Scream of Love, a new interview with composer Carter Burwell
- Watch the Guitar, an interview with actor Jeff Fahey
-Patsy's Last Night, an interview with actor Katt Shea
-Mother's Maker, an interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Westmore
-Body Double, an interview with actress Brinke Stevens
- Original Electronic Press Kit
- Alternate Opening
-Theatrical Trailer
-TV spot
-Image Gallery

DISC 4 - PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING
-4K (2160p) Ultra HD presentation of the film in director’s preferred 1.78:1 aspect ratio
-Audio Commentary with director Mick Garris, actor Henry Thomas, and actress Olivia Hussey
-Death by Strings, new visual essay by author and critic Guy Adams on music across the franchise
-The Making Of Mother, an archive interview with make-up effects artist Tony Gardner
-Behind-The-Scenes Footage
-A Look at the Scoring of Psycho IV, an archive featurette
-Theatrical Trailer

DISC 5 - BONUS: PSYCHO IV TV Aspect Ratio (LTD EDITION EXCLUSIVE)
-4K (2160p) Ultra HD presentation of the film in 1.33:1 TV aspect ratio (1080p HD on the BD release)

Pre-order the UK 4K UHD from Amazon.co.uk

Pre-order the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk

RINGU - Limited Edition UHD

In 1998, director Hideo Nakata (Dark Water) unleashed a chilling tale of technological terror on unsuspecting audiences, which redefined the horror genre, launched the J-horror boom in the West and introduced a generation of moviegoers to a creepy, dark-haired girl called Sadako. The film’s success spawned a slew of remakes, reimaginations and imitators, but none could quite boast the power of Nakata’s original masterpiece, which melded traditional Japanese folklore with contemporary anxieties about the spread of technology.

A group of teenage friends are found dead, their bodies grotesquely contorted, their faces twisted in terror. Reiko (Nanako Matsushima - When Marnie Was There), a journalist and the aunt of one of the victims, sets out to investigate the shocking phenomenon, and in the process uncovers a creepy urban legend about a supposedly cursed videotape, the contents of which causes anyone who views it to die within a week – unless they can persuade someone else to watch it, and, in so doing, pass on the curse…

Arrow Video is proud to present RINGU, the film that started it all, restored from the original negative in glorious 4K and supplemented by a wealth of bonus materials.

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

- Brand new, exclusive 4K restoration from the original camera negative by Arrow Films
- 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
- Lossless Japanese DTS-HD master audio 5.1 and PCM 2.0 soundtracks
- Optional English subtitles
- Audio commentary by film historian David Kalat
- The Ringu Legacy – a series of interviews from critics and filmmakers on their memories of the Ringu series and its enduring legacy
- A Vicious Circle – a video interview with author and critic Kat Ellinger on the career of Hideo Nakata
- Circumnavigating Ringu – a video essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas on the evolution of the Ringu series
- Spooks, Sighs and Videotape – a video essay by critic Jasper Sharp on the J-horror phenomenon
- Sadako’s video
- Theatrical trailers
- Limited edition packaging featuring two artwork options
- Double-sided fold-out poster featuring two artwork options
- Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by Violet Lucca and Alexandra Heller-Nicholas 

Pre-order the UK 4K UHD release from Amazon.co.uk

 

 

SKINFORD: DEATH SENTENCE and PARABLE - Coming to Digital from Reel2Reel films

Introducing SKINFORD: DEATH SENTENCE, a tense, blood-filled and high-octane action feature that promises bloody bedlam. 

With oodles of gore, plenty of violence and adrenaline-pumping action, this thrilling feature directed by Nik Kacevski is set for its digital release on 24 July 2023 from Reel 2 Reel Films.

James ‘Skinny’ Skinford (Joshua Brennan) had a simple plan: steal and flip a mysterious truck to make a quick buck and save his ailing father. However, as fate would have it, things take a horrifying turn and Skinny finds himself in serious trouble...

While being forcibly made to dig his own grave, he accidentally stumbles upon the burial ground of a woman who had been buried alive and to his astonishment, she possesses the extraordinary ability to bestow immortality upon others.

Yet, this seemingly miraculous gift comes with a devastating consequence. Being close to her is akin to a death sentence, and Skinny's perception of life will never be the same again...

Six feet under or feet on the ground, settle in for SKINFORD: DEATH SENTENCE, a rip-roaring, gore-filled fright fest. 

View the trailer on YouTube.

On UK Digital 24 July 2023 from Reel 2 Reel Films

 

Award-winning South African director Beer Adriaanse (Wonderlus, Hotel) joins forces with brother Jaco Adriaanse (Ekstra Medium) to pen an eerie and unsettling horror PARABLE. This chilling tale delves into the realms of sadistic conversation therapy, spiralling into a horrifying possession tale.

This bone-chilling horror is set for its digital release on 10 July 2023, courtesy of Reel 2 Reel Films.

Teenager Esther (Jane de Wet) is sent to a Christian camp after her father discovers her kissing a girl. There, Reverend Day (Michael Richard) attempts extreme rituals to "cure" her. However, his misguided acts unwittingly unleash a dangerous demon inside Esther. 

This demonic spirit is hellbent on evoking mass suicide and despite the pastor's desperate attempts to contain it, the evil entity has its own sinister agenda. Soon, possessions consume the entire community...

A determined young posse take matters into their own hands to save the girl and their town from this malevolent force. Will good triumph over evil in Parable? 

View the trailer on YouTube. 

On UK Digital 10 July 2023 from Reel 2 Reel Films

 

 

Megalodon Thriller THE BLACK DEMON on DVD & Blu-Ray 17th July

It’s man versus myth in this supernatural showdown for the ages. When oilman Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas, - Yellowstone) takes his family to Bahia Negra, the crown jewel of Baja and the site of Paul’s best-performing rig, the vibrant Mexican coastal town he once knew has mysteriously crumbled. 

In the decrepit ghost town, the last inhabitants tell Paul the offshore platform has awoken ‘El Demonio.’ This shark is unlike any other creature; a shark of legend, known as The Black Demon. 

Soon, Paul and his family find themselves trapped on the rig, under constant attack by the giant monster who slowly eats away at the rig’s supports - with time literally ticking away, Paul must find a way to somehow get his family back to shore alive. 

Also starring Fernanda Urrejola (Cry Macho), Raúl Méndez (Sense8), and Julio Cesar Cedillo (Sicario), THE BLACK DEMON is directed by Adrian Grünberg (Rambo: Last Blood) from a script by Boise Esquerra.

Signature Entertainment presents THE BLACK DEMON on DVD and Blu-Ray 17th July.

View the trailer on YouTube.

Pre-order the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk

 Pre-order the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE LAST SENTINEL (2023) - A review

Dysotopian thriller THE LAST SENTINEL starring Kate Bosworth (Barbarian, Straw Dogs) is currently available on Amazon Prime, so thought I'd give it a watch and share my thoughts.

Set about 30 or so years into the future, rising sea levels have decimated most of the world's land masses, with the earths population crammed onto the only 2 remaining continents, who happen to be at war with one another. 

A group of soldiers from one of them are stationed at a military outpost in the middle of the ocean, waiting for their relief ship to arrive, so they can finally go home. But with the relief ship some 3 months overdue, tensions are running high as food and supplies are running low and isolation and loneliness are taking their toll.

When an abandoned ship drifts into range, the crew quickly become divided amongst those who think they should use the ship to leave and those who think they should stay until they are properly relieved. Particularly as the outpost has a nuclear device on board, which they don't want falling into enemy hands. 

The in-fighting quickly begins, but to make matters worse, it looks like someone might be sabotaging any efforts to leave, and paranoia quickly sets sets in as to whether one of them might be a traitor. 

A potentially interesting idea, set at an interesting location, the film unfortunately though proved to be a bit of a dissapointment. The plot was rather slow, dull and tedious, with no real likeable characters and is not really a film I would recommend to anyone looking for entertainment. Only good thing about it was the location/setting. 

The morbidly curious, or die hard fans of Miss Bosworth, can view the film on Amazon.co.uk

Here's the trailer...

Shaun Hutson's DEADHEAD Takes Readers on an Unforgettable Journey

Caffeine Nights Publishing is thrilled to announce the launch of DEADHEAD by renowned horror author Shaun Hutson. This gripping novel, now available in paperback and eBook formats, delves into the darkest corners of the human psyche, delivering a heart-pounding tale of a private detective's desperate quest to save his kidnapped daughter.

In DEADHEAD, Nick Ryan, a troubled private detective, finds himself at a crossroads in life. With a broken family and a terminal illness, he has nothing left to lose. However, when a gang behind a series of heinous murders kidnaps his daughter, Nick's world shatters. Unleashing a relentless pursuit, he embarks on a race against time to rescue his child and bring the killers to justice.

Shaun Hutson, a master of horror, weaves a chilling narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. With vivid and atmospheric prose, Hutson captures the grit and darkness of London's underbelly, intertwining suspense, horror, and a father's unwavering love.

DEADHEAD is a haunting exploration of the depths of human depravity and the indomitable spirit of a father. With its relentless pacing and shocking twists, this novel is set to leave readers breathless and craving for more.

For more information about DEADHEAD and to order your copy, please visit the official Caffeine Nights Publishing website at https://caffeinenightsbooks.com. 

The book is available in both paperback and eBook formats from all good book stores and leading online retailers

Chilling horror SKINAMARINK - On Disc and Digital July.

WATCH IF you dare… SKINAMARINK is coming to get you on Blu-ray, DVD and digital this summer.

This Shudder Original from writer-director Kyle Edward Ball – in his feature debut – has been striking fear into the hearts of horror fans and critics galore with its scare-inducing style that creeps up and hits you when you least expect it. Now this acclaimed chiller is set to bring the terror once more with Acorn Media’s home entertainment release on 3 July 2023.

When two siblings wake up in the middle of the night, their father is nowhere to be found and the windows and doors in their home have vanished...

Fuelled by fear and anxiety, the pair take matters into their own hands... With pillows and blankets in hand, they build a den in the living room and watch old videotapes of their favourite cartoons to distract from the scary situation, as they hope and pray that a grown-up will come and save them.

But it soon becomes clear that there’s something else there... something beyond their wildest imagination is watching over them. What is it, what does it want and can they survive this unimaginable nightmare?

Beware the things that go bump in the night, it’s not what you think, it’s SKINAMARINK, a wickedly creepy scare fest.

SPECIAL FEATURES include: Commentary with Writer/Director/Editor Kyle Edward Ball and Director of Photography Jamie McRae

View the trailer on YouTube.

 

Pre-order the UK BD from Amazon.co.uk

 

Pre-order the UK DVD from Amazon.co.uk

 

 

It's Convicts vs Alligators in THE FLOOD - Released Digitally from 17 July

Assault on Precinct 13 meets Alligator in the action thriller THE FLOOD, which sees Nicky Whelan (Hall Pass) trying to control a jail filled with dangerous convicts, a torrential storm, and a horde of hungry alligators.

SYNOPSIS:
A daring jailbreak during a ferocious storm gets complicated when a horde of giant, hungry alligators interrupt the escape attempt.

Written and directed by Brandon Slaglel (Battle for Saipan), the film stars Casper Van Dien (Starship Troopers), Louis Mandylor (Rambo: Last Blood), Devanny Pinn (Piranha 3D), and Randy Wayne (Hellraiser: Judgement), and features some seriously scary reptiles who are keen to snack on some caged convicts. 

A rip-roaring, action packed ride, THE FLOOD is a must-watch for fans of nerve-shredding creature features Meg, 47 Feet Down, and Black Water Abyss.

THE FLOOD is available on digital platforms including Google, Apple TV, Sky and Amazon from 17 July, and on DVD from 14 August.

Watch the trailer on YouTube.