Squid Ink

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!