Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Well, apparently some AMC theaters are reopening soon, my Physical Medians, and will be showing The New Mutants. I was starting to think that movie would never get released, and to be honest, I’m still not sure. But if it does, that means more new movies coming out, which means more new movies coming out on disc! So, we’ll hopefully have more than the assortments of previously released media.

Which, don’t get me wrong, I love, but I want some new stuff!

Speaking of new stuff, lets get started with our filthy business.

Flash Gordon (1980) “When energy waves pull the moon out of orbit, New York Jets quarterback Flash Gordon unexpectedly finds himself heading for the planet Mongo, where, with assistance from the beautiful Dale Arden and the noble Prince Barin, he will face Emperor Ming the Merciless and rescue humanity.” Yes, this just recently came out on Steelbook, but this is a 4K release for the masses! So if you missed getting Ming in metal, pick it up now! Especially as it’s only the offering from our fine friends at Arrow Video this week, and they know how to give a movie the deluxe treatment.

Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons – The Movie (2020) “Ten years ago, Slade Wilson – aka the super-assassin called Deathstroke – made a tragic mistake and his wife and son paid a terrible price. Now, a decade later, Wilson’s family is threatened once again by the murderous Jackal and the terrorists of H.I.V.E. Can Deathstroke atone for the sins of the past – or will his family pay the ultimate price?” Another animated offering from DC, this one looks pretty cool, and has everyone’s favorite merc without an eye.

Gamera: The Complete Collection (1965-2006) “The original hero in a half-shell returns! For the first time ever worldwide, all twelve tales of the adventures of everyone’s favorite titanic terrapin are collected together in one deluxe Blu-ray boxset. This limited edition collectors’ set traces the decades-long evolution of Gamera, from the “friend of all children” in his more lighthearted earlier films, to the Guardian of the Universe in the groundbreaking 1990s reboot series, often hailed as three of the best kaiju films ever made.” The best known kaiju that wears a shell, it’s nice to see Gamera getting some respect. If you want a good run down on all of his movies, Movie Bob actually did a good two part retrospective on the Friend to All Children, and his movies, here and here. And with all the extra goodies that come in this box set, it’s my Pick of the Week.

Pitch Black (2000) “In the not-too-distant future, a docking pilot makes a forced crash-landing of her spacecraft on a distant planet. As the survivors explore the uncomfortably hot planet, they must band together. The planet is eerie, arid, and lifeless. But as the sun sets and the planet plunges into total darkness, other inhabitants emerge — including a fiendish murderer with a nose for blood.” Still one of my favorite movies, and the one that launched Vin Disel into the stratosphere. This is our second release from Arrow Video this week, and one I really want to get my hands on.

Cursed Films (2020) “Cursed Films is a five part documentary series which explores the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s notoriously “cursed” horror film productions.” I love a good documentary, especially on things that might be supernatural. Even if everything just was a tragic accident or coincidence, it’s still a fascinating subject.

Screaming in High Heels (2011) “Three actresses “accidentally” became cult horror film icons in the late 1980s and created the modern interpretation of the “Scream Queen” image.” Another documentary, this one covers the careers of Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens, Michelle Bauer, who all are horror royalty. Though how you discuss Scream Queens and not talk about Jamie Lee Curtis is beyond me.

The Barge People (2018) “Set on the canals amid the glorious British countryside, two sisters and their boyfriends head off for a relaxing weekend away on a barge, unaware of the flesh-eating fish mutants lurking in the water, ready and waiting to feed.” So Deep Ones head to England. I’ll check it out.

Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell (1974) “Last of the Hammer Frankenstein films, this one deals with the Baron hiding out in an insane asylum, so that he may continue his experiments with reanimating the dead, along with inmate Dr. Helder, who has been institutionalized for conducting such experiments.” A Hammer film that’s not coming out from Scream Factory? I’m shocked. But it will be worth a look.

The Last House on the Left (1972) “On their way to a rock concert, two teenagers are kidnapped by a gang of escaped convicts. Although they put up the fight of their lives, the girls are drugged, tossed in a car trunk and driven into the woods by the savage, murderous gang… only to wake up to a horror they could not have imagined.” Another classic, one that launched Wes Craven as a horror icon, this movie for the longest time was considered to be the most brutal, difficult to watch horror movie ever made. 48 years later, it’s still a strong contender for that title. This is our third release from Arrow Video this week, and no, they’re still not paying me.

Thrills & Chills! 4-Movie Collection (Pet Sematary (2019), A Quiet Place, Crawl, Overlord) (2018-2019) “See individual titles for their synopses.” Thanks a lot, B-R.com. So, these are three really good or really fun movies, and Pet Sematary, which is ok. If you don’t own any of them, or only own one or two, this is a good way to get them all.

Prevenge (2016) “Widow Ruth is seven months pregnant when, believing herself to be guided by her unborn baby, she embarks on a homicidal rampage, dispatching anyone who stands in her way.” A pregnant lady as a serial killer? I’m so in.

Other titles of note: Batwoman: The Complete First Season (2019-2020), A Dog’s Courage (2018), Open 24 Hours (2018), Those Who Deserve to Die (2019), Curve (2015), Notzilla (2020), Dreamworks 6 Spooky Stories Collection (Scared Shrekless; Shrek’s Thrilling Tales: Shrek: The Pig Who Cried Wolf, – Shrek: The Ghost of Lord Farquaad; Monsters vs Aliens: Night of the Living Carrots; Monsters vs Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space) (2003-2011)

An interesting week overall, my Physical Medians. Let me know, will you be braving returning to movie theaters, if they open? Or will you be sensible and stay home? And, as always, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Well my Physical Medians, it’s August in Georgia (and everywhere else) and it is too damn hot! So it’s a perfect time to stay indoors and watch some movies. I’m also still hip-deep in Dragon Con preparations so let’s get right down to our filthy business.

Split Second (1992) “In a futuristic London, the rising sea levels mean that large areas are under feet of water. Hauer plays a cop who previously lost his partner to some strange creature. Now the creature is back and is after him.” I remember watching this in the theater, mainly for Rutger Hauer, and it’s a fun little Alien/Terminator-ish action piece. Plus it has Pete Postlethwaite & Kim Cattrall, so it’s probably still worth a look.

Mikey (1992) “Although Mikey is just a little boy, he is capable of anything…. Every family Mikey lives with has a series of unexplained “accidents” and hence he’s moved from home to home. After his original family die, accidently, Mikey is taken by authorities and placed into the care of adoptive parents. Of course they eventually come to learn that.” I had to read that gist twice before I realized that it didn’t actually cut off in mid-sentence. So this is part of that same batch of evil kid movies, like The Good Son, or The Bad Seed, so if you’re not fond of children, here you go.

The Phantom of the Opera (1962) “The corrupt Lord Ambrose D’Arcy steals the life’s work of the poor musical Professor Petry. In an attempt to stop the printing of music with D’Arcy’s name on it, Petry breaks into the printing office and accidentally starts a fire, leaving him severely disfigured. Years later, Petry returns to terrorize a London opera house that is about to perform one of his stolen operas…” Another take by Hammer on the classic monsters, and one I need in my collection of all things Phantom. No, not that guy, though I do love Dave. Definitely more influenced by the Claude Rains version than the Lon Chaney, and not one of the better interpretations, there’s still something here for fans of the story or Hammer productions, and I am in both of those categories. This is another patented Scream Factory Collector’s Edition, with a beautiful cover by Rondo Award Winning artist Mr. Mark Maddox, so you know it’s my Pick of the Week.

No, they’re still not paying me.

Casper (1995) “A paranormal expert and his daughter bunk in an abandoned house populated by 3 mischievous ghosts and one friendly one.” The not very well received, or to be honest, well done, version of the classic animated character. Don’t get me wrong, it has a solid cast, including Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, and Eric Idle, but there was just something missing. Well, for me at least. It might be the mid-90s CGI, the need to explain how Casper died, or that I was too much of a fan of the cartoon (ask my mom about my being five years old and trying to find it on the TV after we moved from Florida to Yonkers sometime), but the movie just didn’t work for me when it came out. Still, it’s nice to see it getting a 25th Anniversary Best Buy exclusive Steelbook, and so I might give it another shot.

The Wretched (2020) “A defiant teenage boy, struggling with his parent’s imminent divorce, faces off with a thousand year-old witch, who is living beneath the skin of and posing as the woman next door.” Interesting premise, a cool cover, and I love this kind of horror. I’ll check it out.

Michael (1996) “Two tabloid reporters checking out a report of the Archangel Michael living with an old woman find that it’s true.” The first of two angel-related movies out this week, this one is cute, sweet, and has good performances by John Travolta, William Hurt, and the always lovely Jean Stapleton. You’ve watched worse movies.

The Quest (1986) “American boy, Cody, whoose parents have died, lives in Australia with his guardian, Gaza. Cody is very imaginative, inventive, and inquisitive. He comes accross some strange events happenning in Devil’s Knob national park associated with an aboriginal myth about “frog dreamings”. Cody tries to investigate…” Yeah…I’ll pass.

Brutal Massacre: A Comedy (2007) “What has the world come to when the director of Sasquatch at the Mall can’t get a gig? That’s what horror auteur Harry Penderecki is wondering. Once considered a horror legend, with a string of hits like Bowel Movement, People Pesticide and I’ll Take the Ring Back and the Finger Too, he now finds himself on the outside looking in at Hollywood. Determined to make his comeback, Penderecki returns to direct what he believes will be his ultimate masterpiece, Brutal Massacre. Follow along with the documentary crew to discover whether Harry will reassert his genius, or remain a relic of the ’80s.” This was supposed to have been out a month ago, so read what I had to say back then. I’m still interested in it.

Date with an Angel (1987) “Aspiring composer Jim Saunders is engaged to spoiled rich girl Patty. But the morning after his bachelor party, Jim wakes up hung over to discover a broken-winged, real-life angel in his swimming pool.” Our second Angel-related release of the week, this one does not look promising, even with Phoebe Cates being involved. Watch the other one instead.

Other titles of note: Eureka: The Complete Series (2006-2012), Neo Ultra Q (2013), Final Space: The Complete First and Second Seasons (2018-2019) Max Reload and the Nether Blasters (2020), The Hand That Feeds the Dead (1974)

So that’s it for this week, my Physical Medians! Thank you for reading, and be sure let me know how you’re keeping cool in these hot, hot days. I keep thinking about getting a kiddie pool. And, as always, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

PS: Look what finally came out!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Well, my Physical Medians, we’ve hit the doldrums, both of Summer, and of the release schedule. The last few weeks were quite full of cool stuff, but not so much this week. Which is good, because with all the prep work that I’m having to do for Dragon Con, I’m a busy squid, so let’s jump right into our filthy business.

Inception (2010) “Dom Cobb is a professional thief with a difference: the spoils he goes after are not material objects but the thoughts, dreams and secrets buried in the minds of other people. This rare talent has cost him dear, rendering him a solitary fugitive stripped of everything he ever really cared about. When he is offered a chance for redemption by reversing the process and planting an idea rather than stealing it, he and his team of specialists find themselves pitted against a dangerous enemy that appears to pre-empt their every move.” Another finely crafted work by Christopher Nolan, this one gets the patented Best Buy 4K Steelbook treatment, most likely because Tenet was supposed to be out right around now. Sigh. I miss going to the movies.

His Dark Materials: The Complete First Season (2019) “Two children embark on a magical adventure through parallel universes.” AKA the Atheist Narnia. Ok, ok, yeah, that’s a cheap joke that downplays the books, but even the writer said that was kind of his goal. Anyway, this new adaptation of the books by HBO looked interesting, but I haven’t watched it yet. I only have so much time, people. I’m also thrown by swapping Sam Elliot for Lin. I mean, I love Lin, but that’s quite a change. Still this is supposed to be good, and I will get to it eventually. It’s out on Blu, and a Steelbook in the UK.

Doctor Who: Tom Baker – Complete Season Three (1976-1977) Once again, for these Doctor Who seasons, I can’t use Blu-Ray.com for the gist, and have to use Wikipedia: “The fourteenth season of British science fiction television series Doctor Who began on 4 September 1976 with The Masque of Mandragora, and ended with The Talons of Weng-Chiang.” This is the last year of Sarah Jane, the first year of Leela, and aside from some cringe-y “Yellow Peril” stuff in Talons, it’s a pretty solid set of stories. Go check out the Timestamps Project‘s look at the season, starting here, for a run down on the episodes, and the season overall. It’s my Pick of the Week.

Coma (2019) “After a colossal and mysterious accident a young talented architect comes back to his senses in a very odd world that only resembles the reality. This world is based on the memories of the ones who live in it – people who are currently finding themselves in a deep coma. Human memory is spotty, chaotic and unstable. The same is the COMA – odd collection of memories and recollections – cities, glaciers and rivers can all be found in one room. All the laws of physics can be broken. The architect must find out the exact laws and regulations of COMA as he fights for his life, meets the love of his life and keeps on looking for the exit to the real world which he will have to get acquainted with all over again after the experience of COMA.” Another odd Russian production that looks interesting. I kinda want to check it out.

Better Off Dead (1985) “Lane Meyer is a depressed teen who loses his girlfriend Beth. Her given reason for breaking up is: “Lane, I think it’d be in my best interest if I dated somebody more popular. Better looking. Drives a nicer car.” Anyway, poor Lane is left alone and thinks up treacherous ways of killing himself. He finally meets a French beauty called Monique and falls for her. Simultaneously, he must endure his mother’s terrible cooking which literally slides off the table and his disgusting next door neighbour Ricky (and his mum) while he prepares for the skiing race of his life – to get his old girlfriend back!” Yeah, FYE pushed this back. Again. I’ll believe that it’s released when I have finished watching the movie on my player.

Nothing But the Blood (2020) “A controversial cult moves into a small town, sparking a series of violent events.” No pic of the cover art, no one I’ve heard of involved with the movie, so it could be good. Or not. We’ll see.

Other titles of note: Satan’s Slaves (2017), The Soul Collector (2019), Dispatches from Elsewhere: Season 1 (2020)

Like I said, my Physical Medians, it’s another thin week. And I’m afraid that will continue until new stuff gets digital releases, or, you know, we fix the world. Until then, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Sorry for the delay on this, my Physical Medians, but I was occupied last night recording this week’s Quarantine Panel for the Dragon Con American Sci-Fi Classics Track, with the fine folks at the ESO Network, all about one of last week’s releases, Airplane! I do hope that you will tune in when it plays on Thursday!

Or, if you’re reading this after 7/30, that you will go back and watch it on the YouTube, along with all of our other Quarantine Panels and funny videos.

And with those plugs out of the way, let’s get on with our filthy business.

Alien Trespass (2009) “Look out, earthlings! From The X Files’ R.W. Goodwin comes this action-filled sci-fi tale in the tradition of such cult classics as The Blob and It Came from Outer Space. It’s 1957, a spaceship has just landed in a quiet small town, and a maneating one-eyed alien is on the loose! But fear not, a friendly alien also has emerged from the spaceship. Inhabiting the body of local astronomer Ted Lewis (Will & Grace’s Eric McCormack), the alien teams up with a spunky diner waitress in a desperate battle to save mankind!” It’s very hard to do camp on purpose, and make it work. This doesn’t look like they pull it off, to me.

Graveyard Shift (1990) “In a very old textile mill, with a serious rat infestation, the workers discover a horrifying secret deep in the basement.” Loosely based upon the short story by Stephen King, this is another adaptation that doesn’t quite grasp what made the story work, and is honestly a pass for me.

Thirteen Ghosts (2001) “A family inherits a spectacular old house from an eccentric uncle. There’s just one problem: the house seems to have a dangerous agenda all its own. Trapped in their new home by strangely shifting walls, the family encounters powerful and vengeful entities that threaten to annihilate anyone in their path. Soon the family is joined by an offbeat ghost hunter who is determined to free the spirits imprisoned in the house. Caught in a frantic race to save themselves before it’s too late, the human inhabitants realize the house is a riddle which contains the key to their imminent salvation – or destruction.” Another great Dark Castle production, with a fantastic cast, great SFX, and a cool premise, I am glad to see this flick finally getting the recognition it deserves. This is yet another SCREAM Factory Collector’s Edition release, and my Pick of the Week.

No, they’re still not paying me.

Wonder Woman (2017) “The Amazonian Warrior Princess Diana left her lush tropical island to dwell in our urban cityscapes of glass and steel. Tutored in the ways of the Greek warriors, and outfitted with incredible gifts the Goddess bestowed upon her people, she becomes Paradise Island’s emissary to civilization.” With Wonder Woman 1984 supposed to have been released right around now, there’s quite a bit of wondrous releases that were scheduled to come out as part of the hoopla. And I am here for it. This Best Buy exclusive Steelbook is quite awesome, with a plastic slipcover to fit over the case containing the Blu and 4K editions of this great movie. It was nearly my pick of the week, and yes, I already have it in my collection.

Wonder Woman: The Complete Collection (1975-1979) “During World War II, a plane piloted by Major Steve Trevor crashes near Paradise Island, the secret hidden island home of the mighty and eternally young Amazons. He is rescued by Princess Diana and learns of the war against the Nazis. The Amazons decide to send Diana to help fight in this crisis.” The other big release to tie into the Wonder Woman 1984 release, this collection of all three seasons of this iconic series is, for me, a must have. Sure, the first season is the best, but all three seasons have Lynda Carter, Lyle Waggoner, and a pure sense of fun that I find irresistible.

Old Dracula (1975) “In this spoof of the Transylvanian legend, Count Dracula, sinks his fangs into a bevy of Playboy Bunnies in order to find the right blood type to resurrect his dear-departed wife, then after a mix up in the lab, he finds he has a different kind of uh.. “problem”.” David Niven as, like the title says, Old Dracula. Restored by the fine folks at Vinegar Syndrome, this is probably worth a look.

Lloyd the Conqueror (2011) “Their grades slipping, hard-partying college students Lloyd, Patrick, and Oswald plead with the professor Derek to give them some much-needed extra credit. In order to earn it, Derek insists that they arm themselves with foam swords, and participate in an epic game of Demons & Dwarves. A former LARP champion, Derek’s stint in academia has weakened his skills on the battlefield. But Lloyd is determined to help Derek in his fight against the dreaded Horde of Chaos, and he knows just the right people to ensure victory. A former cage fighter who teaches female self-defense course, Cassandra possesses both beauty and brawn; likewise, local gaming merchant Andy possesses the skills of a White Wizard – a notable advantage in the struggle against darkness. Still, it remains to be seen whether this mighty crew will be any match for the fierce Danes, hulking lunatic Leopold, and a stern Vulcan with the power of Starfleet on his side.” This looks like one that’s laughing at the nerds, not with the nerds, so this is a hard no from me.

The Revenge of the Living Dead Girls (1987) “Promoted as France’s first gore film, Revenge of the Living Dead Girls (La revanche des mortes-vivantes) is a consumate shocker of horror and sex that as grown into a legend as being one of the sickest and most perverse of zombie films.” They had me at living dead girls wanting revenge.

Dead Dicks (2019) “After Becca receives a distressing call from her suicidal brother Richie, she rushes over to his apartment and finds him alive and well – surrounded by copies of his own dead body.” No name cast, interesting premise, this might be decent. I’m gonna check it out.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916) “Captain Nemo has built a fantastic submarine for his mission of revenge.” I had no idea that this film existed, and I am always glad to see a classic film get a new release on modern media. This is one I am going to have to track down.

Gundala (2019) “Indonesia’s preeminent comic book superhero and his alter ego Sancaka enter the cinematic universe to battle the wicked Pengkor and his diabolical squad of orphan assassins.” From everything I can see, this looks like a very cool superhero flick. I’m going to try and check it out.

Other titles of note: The Outsider: The Complete First Season (2020), Demonia (1990), James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction (2018), The Eleventh Commandment (1987), Slave of the Cannibal God (1978), Nazi Undead (2018),  The Bucks County Massacre (2010)

As you can see, my Physical Medians, we have another large selection to choose from this week! As always, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Summer movie season is in full swing! Or, at least it would be, if people would wear their damn masks! I try not to get depressed about all the movies we should have seen by now, but it’s hard not to, my Physical Medians.

But, instead of dwelling on what we should have seen and enjoyed (or hated), let’s see what Hollywood is giving to us this week for our home consumption.

The Room (2019) “While moving into a secluded mansion, a young loving couple, Kate and Matt discovers a strange secret room, whose interior holds the power to make everything they want a reality. Millions of dollars, the original of Van Gogh and the most luxurious outfits – whatever they want, instantly materializes. One day, she decides to ask the room to grant them the child they haven’t been able to have. But their initial happiness from this blessing will have unforeseen consequences. As they say: careful what you wish for.” No, it’s not that The Room. Anyone who would decide to use that title again after that disasterpiece must be hoping that people will rent this flick, thinking that they’re getting that flick, and your disappointment won’t matter because they already have your money.

Wonder Woman: 2-Film Collection (2009-2019) “No synopsis for Wonder Woman: 2-Film Collection.” The first of two “It Was Supposed to be Out Already” releases this week, so go check out the week of 5/12/20, when this two-pack of DC Animated movies was supposed to have come out for details.

Ghost (1990) “After a man is shot and dies, he — as a ghost — teams with a psychic to uncover the truth behind his murder, and to save his sweetheart from a similar fate.” A 90s classic, and it still holds up. Well, for me anyway. For a really good discussion about the movie, check out this recent episode of the Needless Things Podcast, where they talk about the highs & lows of 1990, including this flick. It’s my (and the Rad Ranger‘s unknowing) Pick of the Week.

Airplane! 40th Anniversary Edition (1980) “An ex-fighter pilot must take the controls of an airliner when the flight crew succumbs to food poisoning. Surely you can’t be serious?” One of the great parody movies. A true classic. The start of Leslie Neilson’s career as a funny man. Sure, not all of the humor holds up (so many gay jokes), but more of it still works than doesn’t. Get in Blu-ray, and as a classy, not just available at Best Buy, Steelbook!

Scoob! (2020) “Scooby and the gang face their most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this dogpocalypse, the gang discovers that Scooby has an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined.” People were bagging on this flick when it was digitally released at the start of the pandemic, and I don’t get it. I thought it was funny, charming, and had its heart in the right place. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend you give it a shot. Pick it up on Blu or 4K!

Better Off Dead (1985) “Lane Meyer is a depressed teen who loses his girlfriend Beth. Her given reason for breaking up is: “Lane, I think it’d be in my best interest if I dated somebody more popular. Better looking. Drives a nicer car.” Anyway, poor Lane is left alone and thinks up treacherous ways of killing himself. He finally meets a French beauty called Monique and falls for her. Simultaneously, he must endure his mother’s terrible cooking which literally slides off the table and his disgusting next door neighbour Ricky (and his mum) while he prepares for the skiing race of his life – to get his old girlfriend back!” Our second “It Was Supposed to be Out Already” release, and the THIRD time that FYE was supposed to have this fancy Steelbook edition in their stores (2/25 & 5/26). I’ll believe that it’s out when I have it in my home. Go look here for my thoughts on this fantastic movie.

Dragonheart 3: The Sorcerer’s Curse (2015) “A fallen comet rumored to contain gold is the object of desire of a young squire named Gareth. He wants to find and use it to pay for his knighthood. However instead of a comet, he stumbles upon Drago the dragon whom has fallen to earth and is being hunted by an evil sorcerer. After Drago saves Gareth’s life, the two become intricately bonded and they must work together to defeat the sorcerer and stop his reign of terror. Along the way, Gareth learns the true meaning of being a Knight!” I probably shouldn’t be mean to a movie that I have not seen . . . but boy does this look and sound bad. But if you need your fantasy/dragon fix, here you go.

Attraction 2: Invasion (2020) “Invasion is an upcoming Russian science fiction film directed by Fyodor Bondarchuk. The action of the film unfolds after the events described in Attraction (2017). After the fall of the alien ship, it took three years. The catastrophe turned the girl’s life from Chertanovo and forever changed our view of the universe. It seems that this was the biggest test for all of us. But mankind does not yet know that very soon he will have to experience a new meeting.” I’ve said before that Russia is putting out some interesting and inventive genre movies these days, and while I didn’t hear about the first one, this one looks promising. I’m gonna see if I can locate it.

Other titles of note: Castle Rock: The Complete Second Season (2019), Horror Thrillers: 4-Film Collection: Body Snatchers (93), The Hunger, Innocent Blood, Wolfen (1981-1993), Torment (1986), Arabian Nights (1942), Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944), John Wick: Chapters 1-3 Steelbook Collection (2014-2019)

So, once again a mixed bag of recent movies and classics. Hopefully, some of them will fill some holes in your collection. Until next time, wear your mask, stay home, stay safe, and as always, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Well, the lean times continue to be over, my Physical Medians. We are half-way through the year, in the summer heat, and Dragon Con is going online. I hope to see everyone there, so to speak.

But we still seem to be getting mostly older films that are getting their first release, or a re-release, but as you all should know by now, that makes me happy as I enjoy older movies.

Speaking of my love for movies, I have finally finished my Movie Database project, having gotten the last box of my collection out of storage. The final total (not counting the one on the way from SCREAM Factory, who still aren’t paying me), is 361 movies/TV seasons. You may peruse the full list here, if you wish.

But now, let us get on with our filthy business.

Day of the Warrior (1996) “The Legion to Ensure Total Harmony and Law (L.E.T.H.A.L.), is tracking a criminal mastermind known only as The Warrior. While investigating his combination diamond smuggling/art theft/porn production industry, the agents discover that he has cracked their secret database and has stolen the files on all of their agents. With the help of their martial arts intructor Fu, agents Tiger, Willow and Cobra take on the case.” Another 90s action piece by the legendary Andy Sidaris, this one has Julie Strain as well as all of the gunplay, explosions, and bare boobs you have come to expect from this fine director. Pair it up with the other Sedaris movie out this week, Return to Savage Beach (1998), and you’ll have Ryan Cadaver‘s (unknowing) double-feature pick of the week!

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014) “A young student making a videothesis about dementia. She made a deal with a old lady who has the illness and her daughter. They are invited to their Big house to film the old lady, but soon will filmin it’s not the dementia is taking hold of the old lady, but something else.” One of the better found footage movies, this one has the right level of creep factor, a fantastic performance by Jill Larson in the title role, and one of the smartest decisions I’ve ever seen made by a character in a horror movie. Highly recommended.

Bruce Lee: His Greatest Hits (The Big Boss, Fist of Fury, The Way of the Dragon, Enter the Dragon: Theatrical Version, Game of Death, Game of Death II, Enter the Dragon: Special Edition) (1971-1981) So Blu-Ray.com let me down on the gist again, so here’s how Amazon describes this collection:

“Five action-packed kung-fu landmarks from international martial-arts legend Bruce Lee. Now together on Blu-ray.
In the early 1970s, a kung-fu dynamo named Bruce Lee side-kicked his way onto the screen and straight into pop-culture immortality. With his magnetic screen presence, tightly coiled intensity, and superhuman martial-arts prowess, Lee was an icon who conquered both Hong Kong and Hollywood cinema, and transformed the art of the action film in the process.
This collection brings together the five films that define the Lee legend: furiously exciting fist-fliers propelled by his innovative choreography, unique martial-arts philosophy, and whirlwind fighting style.
Though he completed only a handful of films while at the peak of his stardom before his untimely death at age thirty-two, Lee left behind a monumental legacy as both a consummate entertainer and a supremely disciplined artist who made Hong Kong action cinema a sensation the world over.“

And my friends, that is under-selling it. Bruce Lee is a legitimate legend for his charisma, his fighting skills, his writing, and his acting. These movies may not have created a genre, but they definitely shaped it, and introduced it to an American audience that had no idea what it was in for. He paved the way for how action movies were shot, choreographed, and what could be done in front of a camera. No Bruce Lee, no John Wick. These five films are getting the Criterion treatment that they deserve. You can either pick them up individually, or as a complete set. The set is my recommendation, and yes, it’s my Pick of the Week.

Thor: End of Days (2020) “Loki plots to plunge the universe into darkness poisoning the minds of the innocent across all 9 Realms. Killing his father Odin and The Guardians, Loki flees Asgard. The powerful but arrogant warrior-god Thor pursues him wreaking havoc among humans on Midgard (Earth), however, along his journey he’s rendered unworthy, waking on Earth without his mighty hammer, or his memory. Alone and vulnerable, Thor enlists the help of a female human companion in his quest to regain his honor and power, and defeat Loki before he can build his dark army.” I can see it now, some producer going “Hey, isn’t that Thor guy actually public domain?” I fully expect this to pop up on SyFy some Saturday soon, that is, unless Marvel/Disney sues them out of existence.

Speaking of superhero movies and their creators . . .

The Specials (2000) “The Specials are superheroes who aren’t… that super: finding themselves rated only the 7th best superhero team in the world, and crucially over-aware of their lacklustre performance in the all important world of merchandising. Eschewing any special effects or superhero sequences we see the lives behind the masks as The Weevil (Rob Lowe), Power Chick (Kelly Coffield), Deadly Girl (Judy Greer), The Strobe (Thomas Haden Church) and the rest of the team as they decide to launch a new line of action figures to resurrect their flagging fortunes.” One of the first films where people started to pay attention to the writing of James Gunn, this is a superhero movie that spoofed the genre before people were really ready for it. Great cast, low budget, and a lot of fun.

LEGO DC: Shazam! – Magic and Monsters (2020) “10-year-old Billy Batson shouts a single word and, with lightning bolts flashing, he transforms into Shazam!, a full-fledged adult Super Hero. It doesn’t take long for Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League to take notice and invite the earnest do-gooder to join the team. But to become a member, Billy must reveal his true identity. While fighting off the evil Mr. Mind and Black Adam, Billy learns that he must trust others – and that nothing creates trust like helping those in need. Join the good fight with this giant-sized LEGO DC adventure!” This was supposed to have come out back on 6/16, and you can see what I had to say about it then, my Physical Medians.

The Kiss of the Vampire (1963) “Gerald and Marianne Harcourt, are a honeymooning couple in early 20th-century Bavaria who become caught up in a vampire cult led by Dr. Ravna and his two children Carl and Sabena. The cult abducts Marianne, and contrive to make it appear that Harcourt was traveling alone and that his wife never existed. Harcourt gets help from hard-drinking savant Professor Zimmer, who lost his daughter to the cult and who finally destroys the vampires through an arcane ritual that releases a swarm of bats from hell…” Another lurid Hammer Films classic, with a fantastic cover by Rondo Award Winning artist Mr. Mark Maddox. I love Hammer movies, and Scream Factory keeps giving me these wonderful Collector’s Editions that just look so good on the shelf.

Tokyo Gore Police (2008) “Set in a future-world vision of Tokyo where the police have been privatized and bitter self-mutilation is so casual that advertising is often specially geared to the “cutter” demographic, this is the story of samurai-sword-wielding Ruka and her mission to avenge her father’s assassination. Ruka is a cop from a squad who’s mission is to destroy homicidal mutant humans known as “engineers” possessing the ability to transform any injury to a weapon in and of itself.” An over-the-top cult classic of Japanese cinema, this has all the nudity, gore, shock, perversion, and violence you could want or need.

Reborn (2018) “A stillborn baby girl is abducted by a morgue attendant and brought back to life by electrokinetic power. On her 16th birthday, she escapes captivity and sets out to find her birth mother, leaving a trail of destruction behind her.” I gotta say, that’s a hell of a premise. I’m gonna check it out.

Other titles of note: Legion of Super Heroes: The Complete Series (2006-2008), 12 Monkeys: The Complete Series (2015-2018), Jungle Holocaust (1977), The Magicians: Season Five (2020) / The Magicians: The Complete Series (TV) (2015-2020)

So not a bad variety of releases this week, my Physical Medians. I hope that a few of them catch your eye, that you stay safe, stay indoors, wear your mask when you go out, and just be kind to one another.

Until next week, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Well, my Physical Medians, it looks like the lean times are over! Well, for this week, at least. We have quite a few classics escaping out into the wild, which you should all know, always makes me happy. So let’s get right into our filthy business.

Zombie for Sale (2019) “An infectiously funny slice of modern Korean cinema where Train to Busan, The Quiet Family and Warm Bodies collide to create a memorable rom-zom-com from first time director Lee Min-jae. When the illegal human experiments of Korea’s biggest Pharmaceutical company go wrong, one of their “undead” test subjects escapes and ends up in a shabby gas station owned by the Park family – a band of misfits spanning three generations who hustle passers-by to make ends meet. When the Park family uncover their undead visitor, he bites the head of their household, who instead of transforming into an undead ghoul becomes revitalised and full of life! The family then hatch a plan to exploit this unexpected fountain of youth, allowing locals to pay to be bitten too, until things go wrong… With a cabbage-munching zombie who prefers ketchup over blood, and a dysfunctional family that gives the Kim family of Parasite a run for their money, Zombie for Sale will warm the deadest of hearts and breathe some new life into the zombie genre.” This description sounds like the writer wanted to remind everyone of every Korean movie that’s come out in the last 10 years. Still, it sounds cool, and it is a zombie movie, so I have to check it out.

Trolls World Tour (2020) “Poppy and Branch discover that there are six different troll tribes scattered over six different lands. Each tribe is also devoted to six different kinds of music — funk, country, techno, classical, pop and rock. When rockers Queen Barb and King Thrash set out to destroy the other music, Poppy and Branch embark on a daring mission to unite the trolls and save the diverse melodies from becoming extinct.” Yeah, it’s a kid’s movie, but so are Pixar films, so there. And while this isn’t exactly on the Pixar level, it’s still surprisingly better than you would expect. I liked it, anyway. You can snag this on Blu, 4K, and the obligatory Best Buy Steelbook.

The War of the Worlds (1953) “Scientist Clayton Forrester and Sylvia Van Buren are the first to arrive at the site of a meteorite crash. Soon after, an alien war machine emerges and begins killing at random. The Marines are called in, but they’re no match for the aliens’ force field. Forrester and Van Buren, however, are able to wound one of the creatures and procure a sample of its blood. They take it to Los Angeles where they hope, through testing, to be able to discover the aliens’ weakness.” A true classic of Sci-Fi and Hollywood’s golden era, I really think this is a must-watch for genre fans. A solid adaptation of the book, with great performances, iconic ship and alien designs, and effects that still hold up. This movie has influenced the genre, and filmmakers, to this day. It’s getting the well deserved Criterion treatment, and it’s my Pick of the Week.

And yes, that is where MST3K got the name for one of the Mads.

Spaced Invaders (1990) “When one saucer of an invasion force has engine trouble, it lands on Earth. It happens to be Halloween and it happens the invaders are only about 4 feet tall. As the bumbling aliens wander around the countryside they are taken to be children and they make friends with two children, one of whom is the daughter of the sheriff. As their troubles mount (it’s difficult for five aliens to conquer a world) they begin to give up their plans of conquest, but then there is that nasty killer robot.” Another kid-aimed sci-fi comedy that’s actually pretty darn funny. Even if the gag with one of the aliens is that he’s a riff on Jack Nicholson. It’s goofy, but fun.

The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961) “U.S. and Russia unwittingly test atomic bombs at the same time, it alters the axis of rotation of the Earth.” Sure, the premise is ludicrous, but no more so than 2112 or The Day After Tomorrow. This is another classic 60s disaster film that stands out by having an ambiguous ending, and being a bit deeper than you would expect. I recommend it.

Black Rainbow (1989) “Martha Travis is a psychic who travels the rural American South with her alcoholic father, Walter, promoting her mystical trade to credulous locals. In reality, Martha is a con woman whose only gift is the ability to defraud those desperate to contact dead loved ones. One night, however, she has a genuine vision of a violent crime which has yet to transpire.” A fun little flick, with Rosanna Arquette and Jason Robards, and presented by our friends at Arrow Video, so if you enjoy a good thriller, you’re gonna want to check this one out.

No, they’re still not paying me.

Skyman (2020) “The story of Carl Merryweather who believes he experienced an alien encounter at 10-years-old and is now trying to reconnect with the UFO as the same location.” This one has me curious, as a fake documentary on how one incident in your childhood can haunt your entire life. And, as those little grey men creep out our good friend Dave from the Needless Things podcast, this is his (unknowing) Must Avoid of the Week.

Herschell Gordon Lewis’ BloodMania (2017) “A horror anthology comprised of four distinct segments that feature a raucous combination of satirical humor, horror, gore, and enough surprises to satisfy film enthusiasts and horror fans alike.” It seems like most horror directors eventually try their hand at an anthology series or movie, and most of them are usually at least decent. So it you like boobs, blood and schlock scares, you’re probably gonna want to check this out.

Belzebuth (2017) “After losing his family in an extremely tragic way, Detective Ritter must investigate a massacre at a school perpetrated by a student. What seemed like a pretty clear case becomes much more dense when a priest of the Vatican appears with another point of view…” Hey, this has Tobin Bell from the Saw movies. Hopefully, this won’t suck.

Gamemaster (2020) “A deep dive into the world of the thriving board game industry and the creators behind popular games.” I love board games, and this is definitely on my must-watch list.

Brutal Massacre: A Comedy (2007) “What has the world come to when the director of Sasquatch at the Mall can’t get a gig? That’s what horror auteur Harry Penderecki is wondering. Once considered a horror legend, with a string of hits like Bowel Movement, People Pesticide and I’ll Take the Ring Back and the Finger Too, he now finds himself on the outside looking in at Hollywood. Determined to make his comeback, Penderecki returns to direct what he believes will be his ultimate masterpiece, Brutal Massacre. Follow along with the documentary crew to discover whether Harry will reassert his genius, or remain a relic of the ’80s.” Our second fake documentary of the week, but this one has Gunnar Hansen, Brian O’Halloran, Ken Foree, and David Naughton as the lead. If, like me, you recognize all those names, this will be a must-watch for you as well. If not, well, you might still want to give this a look.

Other titles of note: The Complete Lenzi/Baker Giallo Collection (Orgasmo / So Sweet… So Perverse / A Quiet Place to Kill / Knife of Ice) (1969-1972), The Flesh and the Fiends (1960), Proximity (2020), Neurosis (1982), Ozone (1995), Escape Room: Quest of Fear (2019), Five Must Die (2017)

So we have a pretty solid selection of movies this week, my Physical Medians, and a decent mix between sci-fi and horror. And we’re now officially half-way though the year, but with a lot fewer movies than usual by this time. I have to wonder what effect this will have on what we see come out the rest of this year. But of what we have so far, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Can you believe that this year is almost half-over now, my Physical Medians? July is almost here, and we should have been in the swing of what was going to be an amazing year of movies. Instead, we get a year that has been the longest decade of my life.

Still, at least we have our new releases to give us some kind of respite from the ongoing dumpster fire that is this year. Though, once again, this is a very thin week. So let’s get right into our filthy business.

The Immortalizer (1989) “A crazed scientist sends out his mutant creations to kidnap young, beautiful men and women to bring back to his lab so he can replace their brains with those of old, wealthy people.” An interesting looking little medical horror flick from the 80s. I wonder how well it handles the class struggle in that premise. Probably not as well as They Live or Get Out, which had the bonus of racial tensions as well.

Force of Nature (2020) “A gang of thieves plan a heist during a hurricane and encounter trouble when a cop tries to force everyone in the building to evacuate.” Not really a genre movie, but that’s an interesting disaster movie premise. And it’s got Mel Gibson, who keeps trying to make a comeback from his questionable life choices. I’ll skip it.

Orca: The Killer Whale (1977) “Neurotic whaler Nolan faces off with an enraged killer whale after he kills the whale’s pregnant mate.” My mom took me to see this in the theater. I was six. Considering that my dad took me to see Jaws in the theater and I enjoyed it, that’s probably why. I remember the walk to the theater, going up to the balcony, and then there are parts of this movie still seared into my brain. Like the killing of the pregnant whale and the baby whale, Bo Derek getting her leg bitten off as she dangles off the balcony, and the ice crushing SPOILER at the end. I haven’t seen it since the 80s, but it’s still vividly right there in my memory. I’m surprised that I love the ocean, and swimming it it, after the one-two punch of Jaws and this flick.

Anyway, this is pretty much the best of all of the Jaws inspired knock offs, as it at least tries to be a serious piece. After it is Piranha, which is more fun, B movie cheese. But that’s a whole other article. This edition is another SCREAM Factory Collector’s Edition release, and my Pick of the Week.

No, they’re still not paying me.

Four Kids and It (2020) “A group of kids on holiday in Cornwall meet a magical creature on the beach with the power to grant wishes.” Did Michael Caine need his house remodeled? This looks terrible, and that Dove Approved logo seals the deal, for me at least. Hard pass.

Wild Palms (1993) “A multi-national corporation attempts to take over America while small pockets of resistance hold out against rampant technology.” Oliver Stone tries to do Twin Peaks, but with weird tech and Jim Belushi. To be fair, I remember looking forward to this, as it was part of a wave of “Weird Shows” that followed David Lynch’s TV experiment. I don’t remember much about it, except being mainly disappointed. It was too normal to keep your interest, but too weird for the average viewer. I might have to revisit it, just to see how it’s aged.

Lection (2019) “Lection is an indie thriller about a local election in a post-apocalyptic society.” So, it’s a documentary? No cast list, no information at all past that brief write-up, so . . . maybe?

Knife of Ice (1972) “As a thirteen year old, Martha Caldwell witnessed the death of her parents in a terrible railway accident. Barely surviving the tragedy herself, Martha was struck dumb due to the shock. Now an adult, the still mute Martha lives with her uncle Ralph in the Spanish countryside. Martha’s cousin Jenny arrives to be with the family but is quickly stabbed to death. It appears that a sex maniac is roaming the countryside; killing pretty young girls. The already traumatized Martha seems likely to be the next victim but the case turns out to be far more complicated than it would first seem.” A Giallo flick that I haven’t seen, this will be either very good, or very bad. But even bad, it should be watchable.

Other titles of note: Ouija Blood Ritual (2020), Hair (1979), 16 Sunrises (2018)

So, not quite as thin as last week, but still pretty threadbare. But that might be a good thing, as the first week of July is looking pretty packed . . .

Until then, my Physical Medians, let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Well, my Physical Medians, it is yet another very thin week for us genre fans. It seems to be either feast or famine for us. So, once more, I shall plug items that I think are worth your time and funds, created by people I know and love.

First up, go take a look at the offerings from Mocha Memoirs Press, run by the smart and charming, Nicole Kurtz. They’re doing a fundraiser that you should check out here. Details: “For over 11 years we have published works by underrepresented voices in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and romance. You can help us continue to do that work by donating to our on-going GoFundMe, buying our books, and sharing, boosting our new releases. If we could get more reviews of our books that would be great too.” Go support black voices, and enjoy some excellent reading material!

Second, check out the writing of DJ Gray, another amazingly talented friend, nay, family, of mine. They are most excellent with the words, and you should check out their Pateron and follow them on Twitter. You won’t look at fairy tales and Neverland the same way again.

Lastly, but not leastly, there’s Falstaff Pride: “To celebrate Pride Month, Falstaff Books is bundling ten of our favorite titles by some of our LGBTQIA+ authors into one collection! Time travel with Emperors, walk the paths of knowledge with blind librarians, bust a gut with a misanthropic vampire, become self-aware with a young necromancer, or hunt monsters with a snarky woman who just wants a vacation. No matter what you love to read, this bundle of diverse stories from incredible authors has something for you!” Falstaff Books publishes some fantastic urban fantasy, action, pulp and other genre stories, and I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve picked up from them. I’m looking forward to the story from my friend Michael Williams, but I’m sure each entry is a winner.

And now that we’re done with all that reading, let’s get on with the video viewing.

House of Wax 3D (1953) “Professor Henry Jarrod is a true artist whose wax sculptures are lifelike. He specializes in historical tableau’s such a Marie Antoinette or Joan of Arc. His business partner, Matthew Burke, needs some of his investment returned to him and pushes Jarrod to have more lurid exposes like a chamber of horrors.” A classic of 50s horror, Vincent Price is excellent (as always), plus we get Charles Bronson in an early role as Price’s henchman. It’s great, even without the 3D gimmick, and I am once more happy to see classic flicks getting a Blu release.

Pennyworth: The Complete First Season (2019) “The story of Alfred Pennyworth, a former special-forces officer living in London and working for Bruce Wayne’s father.” I love that it was a joke in Teen Titans Go to the Movies that Alfred would get a movie before Robin, and then this show was announced. I haven’t watched this, but I hear it’s pretty decent. But still, what’s next, Aunt Harriet the Spy?

Hans Christian Andersen (1952) “A fantasy/musical re-imagining of the life of the great Danish writer of children’s stories. Expelled from his village for distracting the local children from their studies, he travels to Copenhagen, where he falls under the spell of a glamorous opera diva.” Look, the best Danny Kaye (whom I love with all my heart) movie is The Court Jester, hands down, no question. Then The Inspector General. Followed by this movie, which is like saying the third scoop of ice cream isn’t quite as good as the first two. They’re all excellent. (The movies he did with Bing are a whole other category, don’t @ me.) Is it historically accurate? Hardly. Is it a grand time from the golden era of classic Hollywood musicals? Absolutely. So while I patiently wait for Jester to get a deluxe Blu release, I will be enjoying myself while watching this one. And it’s my Pick of the Week.

Dream Demon (1988) “A young woman about to be married begins having terrifying dreams about demons. When she wakes, however, the demons are real and begin to commit gruesome murders.” I know that I’ve said before that I’m a sucker for movies that play around with dreams and reality, be it Dreamscape, Bad Dreams, or that series with the guy with the manicure problem. I haven’t seen this one, but it’s from our fine friends at Arrow Video, so it’s gonna look great. No, they’re still not paying me.

The Spider (aka Earth vs the Spider) (1958) “Teenagers from a rural community and their high school science teacher join forces to battle a giant mutant spider.” A 50s classic from the unforgettable Bert I. Gordon, who brought is some of the best sci-fi/horror cheese of that decade. Is it good? No. Is it fun? Hell yes. Even without Joel and the bots quipping at the thing.

The Vampire Conspiracy (2005) “Five strangers are abducted by a 250 year-old vampire, and placed into a deadly game of wits and endurance. Should they make it through the maze alive, they will receive the vampire’s entire fortune – riches beyond their wildest dreams. Should they fail, they become victims to his hunger and are placed back in the game. The only clues to their salvation are the seven words scrawled on the floor throughout the maze and an insane man who was a participant in the last game. Complications arise, when the group discovers an outside event that makes each of them want the others dead. The situation has changed, and they don’t know whom to fear more, the vampires in the maze, or each other.” Once again, B-R.com gives us a novel-length gist. Still, the premise sounds interesting, and full of people I’m not familiar with, so hopefully it’s good.

A Ship of Human Skin (2019) “A gothic tale of mysticism and violent crime. Two women go out into the fringe of rural culture to seek a revelation. They get trapped in a fierce place, and one murders a man with an ax after she has a vision he is an evil thing. Legend spreads that while locked away in prison, she levitates.” I’m not sure if this is a genre film, or a weird indy psychological drama, but this one had me at mysticism, ax murder, and levitation. B-R.com doesn’t even have a cast list, or who wrote/directed this, so, you know, take your chances.

Other titles of note: NOTHING. Seriously, this is everything, aside from the anime stuff, which I have declined to cover in this venue.

So, yeah, a thin week, but a decent one. Let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!

Welcome back to the latest episode of Slipped Discs, where I give you a head’s up on what nerdy stuff is available to come home with you, because I still believe in physical media!

Once more, all this information comes from Blu-Ray.com, but they list everything that will be in the stores, whereas I shall provide you with what I feel is the interesting genre fare.

Well, my Physical Medians, it’s another thin week (and looking ahead, that isn’t changing any time soon), which is good for the wallet, but bad for article length.

So, here’s another plug for you all, of something I like, made by a person I like. Go and check out Creative Criticality by Michael Falkner. I met him many years ago at Dragon Con, and I have always been impressed by his intellect, insight, and generosity of spirit. I am very proud to call him my friend.

He does a daily post about interesting historical bits of each day, The Thing About Today, as well as the most excellent Timestamps Project, where he has been watching every episode of Doctor Who, in order, from it’s premier in 1963. He’s now up to the “Modern” era, with the 10th Doctor’s run. Go check him out.

If you have anything you’d like me to take a look at, my Physical Medians, please let me know. I’ve got the space and this soapbox to talk about it here.

Now, let’s get on with our filthy business.

Braveheart 25th Anniversary Edition (1995) “In the late 13th century, William Wallace returns to Scotland after living away from his homeland for many years. The king of Scotland has died without an heir and the king of England, a ruthless pagan known as Edward the Longshanks, has seized the throne. Wallace becomes the leader of a ramshackle yet courageous army determined to vanquish the greater English forces. At the historic battle of Stirling, Wallace leads his army to a stunning victory against the English. Knighted by the grateful Scottish nobles, Sir William Wallace extends the conflict south of the border and storms the city of York. King Edward I is astonished by the unexpected turn of events. Unable to rely on his ineffectual son Prince Edward, Longshanks sends his daughter-in-law Princess Isabelle to discuss a truce with Wallace.” Sure, it’s full of historical inaccuracies, and Mel is kind of a racist nutter, but as South Park said, the man knows story structure. Great performances, especially Patrick McGoohan as a delightfully cruel Longshanks, beautiful cinematography, visceral battles, and a fantastic score, it really is a great movie. Just plug in some elves and dragons, and it would be a great D&D game. It’s getting the 4K treatment for the anniversary, and yes, there’s a Steelbook.

Gladiator (2000) “In the final days of Marcus Aurelius’ reign, the aging emperor angers his son Commodus by making it known that he wants Maximus, a fearsome and respected Roman general, to be his successor. Power-hungry Commodus kills his father and orders the death of Maximus. But the latter flees, only to discover that his wife and child have been murdered by Commodus. Captured, Maximus is forced into slavery, where he is sold to Proximo, a former gladiator who serves as both mentor and slavemaster. Maximus trains as a gladiator in the arena, where his fame grows. He goes to Rome, intent on avenging the murder of his wife and son by killing the new emperor Commodus. Maximus has learned that the one power stronger than that of the emperor is the will of the people, and he knows he can only attain his revenge by becoming the greatest hero in all the empire.” For the record, yes, I was entertained. This one still holds up as a great action/adventure movie, again thanks to great performances from a stellar cast, and director Ridley Scott at the top of his game. Just plug in some elves and dragons, and it would be a great D&D game. It’s getting the 4K treatment, and yes, there’s a Steelbook.

Anyone else just get Déjà vu?

Friday the 13th 40th Anniversary Edition (1980) “Terror and suspense abound in this 24-hour nightmare of blood. Camp Crystal Lake has been shuttered for over 20 years due to several vicious and unsolved murders. The camp’s new owner and seven young counselors are readying the property for re-opening despite warnings of a “death curse” by local residents. The curse proves true on Friday the 13th as one by one each of the counselors is stalked by a violent killer. This film is widely acclaimed for its horrifying and creative murder sequences.” A true classic, this is the movie that defined horror for a decade. It may not be the first Slasher Movie (that’s either Black Christmas or Halloween, depending on who you ask), but it is the Trope Codifier. (Those links take you to TV Tropes, the Black Hole of the internet. So, consider yourself and your free time warned.) One of the titans of horror, Jason has always been my guy (I have so many figures of the masked maniac), and this is the movie that started it all. I already own it in various mediums, including a Blu-Ray set signed by my pick for best overall Jason, Kane Hodder. But, this is an anniversary edition, supposedly with new added unrated footage, and it’s in a limited edition Steelbook, so, yeah, I’ll be getting this, and it’s my Pick of the Week.

The Hills Run Red (2009) “You heard the story. The one about the goriest, bloodiest splatter fest ever, the one made in the ’80s but mysteriously lost. Flash forward to now: Young fright fans search for the secret location where the movie was shot, hoping to find the film. what they find is that the mysterious slasher flick is more than a movie. It’s real. And they’re its newest stars. The Hills Run Red with a whole new level of horror as the terrified cinephiles confront a demented killer who wears a nightmarish babydoll mask. Wait, Babyface is just a character from the movie, right?. Wrong. He’s alive. He’s waiting. And he’s thrilled to meet fans who will die-slowly, gruesomely, shockingly- for his art. Roll camera!” Another meta horror flick, but it’s got William Sadler in it, and an interesting premise, so I’ll probably give this a look. It’s getting the patented SCREAM Factory Collector’s Edition treatment, and no, they’re still not paying me.

Primal Scream (1987) “In the future, a private detective tries to stop a large corporation from mining an element whose side effects include igniting human flesh and destroying internal body parts.” I somehow missed this sci-fi horror flick, and the premise is catchy, so it’s going on my “whenever I have time” list.

Pretty in Pink (1986) “Molly Ringwald is the smart girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Andrew McCarthy is the rich boy who genuinely loves her. And Jon Cryer is… just Duckie. And they are all back in the brand-new “Everything’s Duckie” Special Collector’s Edition of Pretty in Pink! Written by John Hughes and directed by Howard Deutch, Pretty in Pink will take you back to the prom… the laughter, the tears, and that very first kiss.” This movie is so iconic of the 80s that I forget it came out as late as it did in the decade. Sure, it’s not a genre piece, but, as I said, it’s iconic of the era, thanks to the work of John Hughes. If you want to know what it was like back then, watch this movie. And she should have totally gone with Ducky, even though he’s too good for her.

Hyde’s Secret Nightmare (2011) “Henry Chagall is a disgruntled scientist who suffers from impotence. His unfortunate situation leads him, and crippled assistant Hans, to explore unusual methods, including experimentation on fresh corpses. Henry finally succeeds in reanimating a deceased man’s reproductive organs by injecting a volatile fluid. Although it will take a decade to safely use on living subjects, Chagall decides to test the serum on himself.” An Italian erotic horror flick; the reviews state that it’s very bloody/gory in the extreme (including a penis bitten off and spit at the camera), and damn near pornography in its sex scenes, which involve necrophilia (with bonus maggots) at some points. I’m probably going to pass on this one, but I had to share that cover art.

LEGO DC: Shazam! – Magic and Monsters (2020) “10-year-old Billy Batson shouts a single word and, with lightning bolts flashing, he transforms into Shazam!, a full-fledged adult Super Hero. It doesn’t take long for Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and the rest of the Justice League to take notice and invite the earnest do-gooder to join the team. But to become a member, Billy must reveal his true identity. While fighting off the evil Mr. Mind and Black Adam, Billy learns that he must trust others – and that nothing creates trust like helping those in need. Join the good fight with this giant-sized LEGO DC adventure!” It’s a LEGO™ superhero movie, so it’s probably going to be quite good. And there’s an edition that comes with a Captain Marvel mini-fig, so I’d go for that version, personally.

Other titles of note: Universal Horror Collection: Volume 5 (1941-1945), The Giant Spider Invasion (1975), Kill Mode (2020), Ultraman X Movie/Ultraman Ginga S Movie (2016)

As I said, not a whole lot out this week, but there are a few good picks in there, especially for horror fans. Let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!