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.
While it’s not exactly a packed week, we do have a limited number of genre releases this week, my Physical Medians. I do hope that you are doing well during your quarantine, and that you are picking up your selections via your online retailer of choice.
I want to start this week with a tip of the hat to the most excellent writer, podcaster, convention panelist, and one of the best friends a person could ask for, Mr. Michael Falkner, host and writer of Creative Criticality for the shout-out he gave me last week. If you’re tuning in because of his recommendation, please let him, and me, know.
I heartily encourage you to check out his Timestamps Project (great name), where he’s been watching every episode of Doctor Who from the very beginning, yes, starting with 1963’s “An Unearthly Child.” He has reached Series Four of the Modern Era (Tennant as Ten). If you like the Doctor, you will enjoy his insights.
Now, let’s see what’s on deck this week for our entertainment pleasure.
VFW (2019) “A typical night for a group of war veterans at the local VFW turns into an all-out battle for survival when a teenage girl runs into the bar with a bag of stolen drugs. Suddenly under attack from a gang of punk mutants looking to get back what’s theirs – at any cost – the vets use every weapon they can put together to protect the girl, and their VFW, in the biggest fight of their lives.” This was supposed to be out last week, but it looks like it was delayed a week. Once more, with this cast, and that premise, I am interested. Add in that Horror Rocker and genre fan Ryan Cadaver gave it a thumb’s up, I have to check this out.
Dolittle “A physician discovers that he can talk to animals.” Again, great gist there, B-R.C. I’ve heard everything from this is ok for kids to that it’s absolutely atrocious. I avoided it, and plan on continuing to do so, as I don’t think I’ll get that bored. Still, if you want it, you can get it in Blu and 4K.
Beyond the Door (1974) “A young married woman becomes the pregnant bearer of the seed of Satan. As the evil within her grows, she is subjected to a terrible and demonic metamorphosis.” An Italian knock-off of The Exorcist combined with Rosemary’s Baby, this movie has it’s fans, and is getting a very nice release from the fine folks at Arrow Video, including a 2K scan, and remastered audio, for the Satanic horror collector.
Thunderbirds (2004) “Having narrowly averted a major disaster on an oil rig, the Thunderbirds have just returned home to their secret base when TB5, their space based station, is critically damaged in a suspected meteor strike. Unbeknownst to them, the attack on TB5 is a deliberate ply by international master criminal The Hood to get them off the island. He takes over the island and drugs Brains into submission. But he has overlooked one key factor: Alan, Fermat and Tin Tin are still on the island.” The live-action film based on the supermarionation classic, this wasn’t a terrible kid’s flick. It has a decent cast (including Ben Kingsley & Bill Paxton), is well directed by Johnathan Frakes, but it just didn’t take off as the franchise the studio was hoping for. It’s worth a rental.
Swift (2019) “Thinking he is a seagull, a bird named Manou discovers that he is actually a swift who was adopted. When tragedy strikes, Manou sets off on a quest to learn his true identity — and save his friends and family along the way.” A CGI flick staring Kate Winslet & Willem Dafoe. I wonder if he will match his performance as Gill? SHARKBAIT! SHARKBAIT! OOH-HA-HA!
Supernatural (1933) “SUPERNATURAL stars Hollywood legend Carole Lombard as a woman possessed by a murderer’s dark soul. Roma, whose twin brother has recently been murdered, becomes easy prey for a corrupt medium who arranges a séance to conjure up the lost twin’s supposedly troubled soul. Meanwhile, a murderess accused of strangling her lovers awaits her fate in the electric chair. Before she dies, she agrees to donate her body to a scientist for his unique life-after-death research. Eerily, the doctor’s first experiment on the now-deceased woman occurs at precisely the same time as the séance. In an evil twist of fate, Roma becomes possessed by the murderess’ wicked spirit. In a race against time, the doctor and Roma’s fiancé struggle to undo the horrible curse in this inventive ghost story.” I love classic Hollywood. I know it can be difficult for some people to get into these old films, but there’s a magic to these features. This one is definitely a keeper. It’s nice to see these films being preserved and updated, and I hope that you give it a chance.
Cats (2019) “A tribe of cats called the Jellicles must decide yearly which one will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new Jellicle life.” This film has taken on a strange, legendary, Jellicle life. I will always have a kind place for it in my heart, as it got me writing again (see my review here). It has inspired so many people who love it, sincerely or ironically. They’re holding online viewing parties (one friend has it and the 1988 version on a near constant loop), and people are demanding the Butthole Cut (which, unlike the Snyder Cut, is probably a real thing. Yeah, I said it!) It is a legitimate phenomenon, it haunts me, and now you can own it on Blu and 4K. I’m kind of hoping that they include the pre-patch version, and I wonder why it’s not getting a Steelbook.
Other titles of note: 3-D Rarities Volume II (1941-1983), Terror Train (1980), Camp Cold Brook (2018), Absurd Horror Double Feature: Nightmare on Elmo’s Street & Frankenshark (2015-2016)
Not a bad collection this week. Let me know which of these are a must-buy for you, a pass, or which ones I missed!