September horror titles announced from Arrow Video

After a searing summer, Arrow Video isn’t letting things flag in September, with the release of a pristine new print of an unsung early slasher; a superb sequel to a 70s horror classic; and a stunning boxset of films from an Italian horror master. As if it needs saying, the releases are beautifully packaged, and laden with bespoke extras and rarities

THE PREY - on UK Blu-Ray from 16 September 2019

It’s not human, and it’s got an axe! One of the most underrated efforts to hail from the slice-and-dice boom, The Prey at last emerges from the VHS wilderness in a brand new 2K restoration from the recently unearthed original camera negative.

Three young couples set off into the mountains for a weekend of climbing, drinking and lovemaking. But little do they know that they are stumbling into the terrain of a fearsome predator - a wild man, horrifically burned as a child many years ago in a fire which engulfed his gypsy camp and left only him alive. Now he roams the woods in search of his next human prey.

Filmed in 1979-1980 - making it a contemporary, rather than an imitator, of the likes of Friday the 13th - but not released until 1984 when it was picked up by New World Pictures, The Prey is a unique woodsy slasher gem ripe for reappraisal in this extras-packed, 40th Anniversary edition!

LIMITED EDITION 2-DISC BLU-RAY CONTENTS

Limited to 3,000 units

Exclusive slipcover featuring original UK home video artwork

Three versions of the feature: Original US Theatrical Cut, International Cut and Composite cut!

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation

Original uncompressed mono audio

Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn

Limited edition booklet featuring new writing on the film by Ewan Cant

DISC ONE - US THEATRICAL CUT

Brand new 2K restoration of the filmmaker-approved US Theatrical Cut from the original camera negative

Brand new audio commentary with producer Summer Brown

Brand new audio commentary with Amanda Reyes and Ewan Cant

Audio Interview with director Edwin Scott Brown

Brand new on-camera interview with actress Debbie Thureson

Brand new on-camera interview with actress Lori Lethin

Brand new on-camera interview with actor Carel Struycken

Brand new on-camera interview with actor Jackson Bostwick

In Search of The Prey - Ewan Cant and actress Debbie Thureson revisit the original shooting locations in Idyllwild, California

Q&A from Texas Frightmare Weekend 2019 with Lori Lethin, Carel Struycken and Jackson Bostwick

Texas Frightmare Weekend 2019 Audience Reaction Track

VHS Trailer and TV Spot

Original Script (BD-ROM Content)

DISC TWO - INTERNATIONAL & COMPOSITE CUTS

Brand new 2K restoration of the International Cut featuring the infamous “gyspy flashback” footage, added at a later date by the producers without the approval of the original filmmakers

Composite Cut combining footage from both the US Theatrical and International Cuts, for the ultimate Prey fan experience!

Extended Outtakes reel - 45 mins of never-before-seen outtakes

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

THE HILLS HAVE EYES PART 2 – On Blu-ray from 16 September 2019

The hills are once again alive with the sound of screaming in Wes Craven’s hugely entertaining follow-up to his own groundbreaking 1977 The Hills Have Eyes.

A motocross team on their way to trial a new super-fuel head out across the desert lead by Rachel, who, unbeknownst to the rest of the group, is a survivor of the cannibal clan which menaced the Carter family several years before. 

Opting to take an ill-advised shortcut across the desert, the busload of youngsters drive straight into the path of the remnants of Rachel’s demented cannibal kin - the menacing Pluto, and a hulking, blood-hungry brute by the name of The Reaper.

Made by Wes Craven immediately prior to his smash-hit A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Hills Have Eyes Part II diverges from the grim tone of its predecessor in favour of fun action-horror thrills and spills replete with mutants, motorbikes, and - oh yes - dog flashbacks!

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

Brand new 2K restoration from original film elements

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation

Original uncompressed mono audio

Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

Brand new audio commentary with The Hysteria Continues

Blood, Sand, and Fire: The Making of The Hills Have Eyes Part II - brand new making-of documentary featuring interviews with actor Michael Berryman, actress Janus Blythe, production designer Dominick Bruno, composer Harry Manfredini and unit production manager/first assistant director John Callas

Still gallery

Original Theatrical Trailer

6 Postcards

Reversible fold-out Poster

Limited Edition 40-page booklet featuring new writing on the film by Amanda Reyes and an archival set visit from Fangoria

Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper

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

MACABRE VISIONS: THE FILMS OF MARIO BAVA - on Blu-ray from 23 September 2019

The legendary Mario Bava has inspired generations of filmmakers, including names as wide-ranging as Martin Scorsese, Tim Burton and Guillermo Del Toro. With their virtuoso photography and budget-belying visual effects, his films transcend their unassuming origins and played a vital role in shaping the horror movie as we think of it today. This exclusive collection from Arrow Video gathers together nine films from Bava’s diverse catalogue – including gothic horrors, giallo thrillers and even a real-time crime drama.

Our journey through the maestro’s output begins with Black Sunday, the ground-breaking gothic shocker that defined the Italian horror film, before launching the “giallo” phenomenon with the twisty The Girl Who Knew Too Much. Up next is a triple bill of terror with the gruesome anthology Black Sabbath, followed by a further slice of the macabre with the spine-tingling Kill, Baby… Kill! Next, Bava channels his inner Agatha Christie with the Ten Little Indians-inspired Five Dolls for an August Moon, followed by the proto-Friday the 13th slasher A Bay of Blood (aka Twitch of the Death Nerve). Bava then returns to his horror stomping ground with the twisted and atmospheric Baron Blood and his surreal classic Lisa and the Devil – widely considered to be his masterpiece. The collection concludes with Rabid Dogs (aka Kidnapped), a gritty, frenetic crime thriller that grabs the viewer by the throat and refuses to let go.

This stunning collection represents one of Italian cinema’s unsung heroes at the height of his creativity, ably assisted by a diverse and talented cast of cult actors, including Barbara Steele (The Pit and the Pendulum), Telly Savalas (Kojak), John Saxon (Tenebrae), Edwige Fenech (Strip Nude For Your Killer), Erika Blanc (The Night Evelyn Came Out of the Grave) and Boris Karloff (The Comedy of Terrors). Whether you’re a newcomer to these films or experiencing them for the umpteenth time, Macabre Visions: The Films of Mario Bava is a must-have addition to your library.

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentations of all films

Original lossless mono Italian and English soundtracks

English subtitles for the Italian soundtracks

Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for the English soundtracks

Alternative cuts of Black Sunday, The Girl Who Knew Too Much, Black Sabbath, A Bay of Blood, Baron Blood, Lisa and the Devil and Rabid Dogs

Audio commentaries on every film by Bava biographer and expert Tim Lucas

Numerous interviews with critics, cast and crew members

Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre, a documentary profile of the director, hosted by Mark Kermode and featuring interviews with Joe Dante, John Carpenter and Tim Burton

The Devil’s Daughter, a video essay by critic Kat Ellinger

Multiple introductions by author and critic Alan Jones

Yellow, Semih Tareen’s short film homage to Bava’s cinema

Multiple theatrical trailers and TV spots

Limited edition packaging featuring original theatrical artwork

Collector’s souvenir hardcover book featuring writing by Matt Bailey, Alan Jones, Kier-La Janisse, David Cairns, Tim Lucas, Travis Crawford, Glenn Kenny, Adrian Smith, Jay Slater, Oliver James, Stephen Thrower, Peter Blumenstock and Helen Mullane

And much, much more!

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

 

PUPPET MASTER : THE LITTLEST REICH - UK Disc review

Fans of the long running Puppet Master series rejoice, as PUPPET MASTER : THE LITTLEST REICH is out this month on UK Disc and Digital.

Not actually a sequel to the previous films, but a re-imaging of the popular series, this revolves around a rather bizarre convention, to mark the 30th anniversary of the death of serial killer Andre Toulon (yes he's a killer in this version).

Known as the "Puppet Master", as Toulon made a living selling grotesque puppets to collectors. People have travelled from far and wide to buy and sell Toulon puppets at the con, only for problems arise when several of guests discover their puppets have been "stolen". But then when the police show up, convention goers start dieing in exceptionally grotesque ways from unseen assailants.

Yes, the puppets have come to life and are out for blood, in a series of extremely politically incorrect murders. As they target Jewish folk, Blacks and anyone that sounds like they might be a Gypsy. Ramping up the bad taste humour up to 11, I had the pleasure of seeing this at the Mayhem Film festival in Notts last year and it had the audience in hysterics (particularly the scene with the Baby Hitler puppet).

If you liked the other Puppet Master films (or even if you didn't) you should love this and it was good to see horror veterans Udo Kier (Iron Sky) in a brief role as the murderous Toulon, and Barbara Crampton (who was also in the original Puppet Master) as a security guard along with prolific actor Michael Pare (Bone Tomahawk, TVs Starhunter) who turns up as a detective.

The Disc versions comes with the following special features...

Behind the scenes feature

Making of feature

Theatrical trailer

Lightning girl comic book artwork

Puppets from concept to screen feature.

The film is out July 8th on UK BD, and Digital from 

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

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

RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD 3 & THE GATE apparel from Fright Rags

Fright-Rags honors the glory days of VHS with apparel from two Vestron Video favorites - Return of the Living Dead 3 and The Gate - plus new Fangoria garb commemorating the beloved horror magazine's 40th anniversary.

Fright-Rags' Return of the Living Dead 3 apparel is to die for. The Brian Yuzna-directed sequel has received three T-shirts as well as an enamel pin featuring a zombified Melinda Clarke. Fright-Rags also opens the passageway for The Gate merchandise. Pray it's not too late for four shirts and two enamel pins (including one that glows in the dark) from the '80s cult classic. 

Celebrate Fangoria's 40th anniversary with five enamel pins featuring the magazine's logos over the years. Limited to 225, the set is housed in a collectible box. Fangoria 1979 distressed tees and Fangoria Pride Month tees are also available; all proceeds from the latter are donated to AIDS/Lifecycle.

Return of the Living Dead 3, The Gate, and Fangoria collections are on sale now at Fright-Rags.com.

A MOST SAVAGE BEAST hits the festival circuit.

Director Theo Hogben got in touch to tell us about his new short horror film "A Most Savage Beast", which has finished filming and it currently being submitted to festivals

Synopsis:

After a being enthralled by her favorite movie, a young girl embarks on a quest as a matchmaker and manipulates two strangers into loving one another, with horrific consequences.

View the trailer on YouTube below...

For more information visit the official website at https://www.amostsavagebeast.com/

THE HOLE IN THE GROUND arrives on UK Disc & Digital July

Something nasty is lurking in the forest in what might be the most frightening film of the year, a nerve-jangling mix of The Witch and Hereditary, from a formidable first time director.

Sarah moves her precocious son Chris to a secluded new home in a rural town, trying to ease his apprehensions as they hope for a fresh start after a difficult past. But after a startling encounter with a mysterious new neighbour, Sarah’s nerves are set on edge.

Chris disappears in the night into the forest behind their house, and Sarah discovers an ominous, gaping sinkhole while searching for him. Though he returns, some disturbing behavioural changes emerge, and Sarah begins to worry that the boy who came back is not her son

A bold and brilliantly constructed cross between Pet Sematary and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, the debut feature from writer-director Lee Cronin is a genre game changer that masterfully builds the tension, delivers the frights and leaves the audience reeling. 

THE HOLE arrives on UK BD, DVD and on Digital July 8th from Vertigo.

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

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

 

 

 

Bill Mosely and Lin Shaye star in GOTHIC HARVEST

Horror Icons Lin Shaye and Bill Moseley star in Ashley Hamilton’s directorial debut, GOTHIC HARVEST which tells the dark and mysterious tale of four co-eds who head to New Orleans for Mardi Gras.

When one of them goes missing after meeting a handsome local at a bar, the young woman’s friends race to find her before she falls victim to a centuries-old family curse by Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau.

Written by Chris Kobin (2001 Maniacs), the film stars Lin Shaye (Insidious and Ouija franchises), Bill Moseley (The Devil’s Rejects, Texas Chainsaw franchise), Ashley Hamilton (Beethoven’s 2nd, Iron Man 3), and newcomer Sofia Mattsson (TV’s “General Hospital”). 

Cinedigm will release the picture on demand, digital HD, and DVD in the US later this year. A UK release should follow soon after.

For more information, visit www.cinedigm.com.

SLAUGHTERHOUSE Z - comic kickstarter launched

Zombie Mutants swarm across North Wales in this gory, grindhouse horror comic. Can Roxy and Serenity survive to see their wedding day?

A secret genetic experiment has combined the DNA from a hulking serial killer, with a brutal breed of pig, to create a terrifying hybrid monster. “Porker X” quickly escapes from the secret lab where he was created and, alongside his prototype hybrids, wastes no time in carving a swathe of carnage throughout the Welsh countryside. It gets worse. The dead are rising, hungry for flesh, and Porker X leads this Army of the Porcine Dead in their unstoppable slaughter!

Caught up in the terror are brides-to-be Roxy and Serenity, enjoying a bit of seclusion, sex, and steampunk erotica, on the night before their big day. However, when Porker X turns his undead eye on their cabin, these two will have to fight for their lives. Can they survive or will it be a Wedding Day of the Dead?

“Slaughterhouse Z Issue #1” is written by Matt Warner and A J Ballard (“Slaughterhouse Farm”), and features the stunning Artwork of Paul Johnson (“Razor Bastard”, “Death Truck”), with Lettering by Nikki Foxrobot (“Shock Value: Giallo”).  Whilst this three-part mini series stands alone, it is also a follow up to their earlier “Slaughterhouse Farm” comic.

There is currently a Kickstarter Campaign on the go to get this comic funded, for more info and details on the various benefits that come with the different levels of investment. Visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hellboundmedia/slaughterhousez/