KILLING GROUND Poster Reveal

We previously announced the trailer for KILLING GROUND and now the poster has been revealed for this camping trip from hell being released on July 21.

POLAROID - Trailer Release

In Theaters August 25, 2017

BLOOD DYNASTY Gets A Halloween Release

Chris Alexander’s

BLOOD DYNASTY

Coming to select streaming platforms this Halloween from Castle Films with a DVD release to follow

June 29th, 2017– Noted film critic (ComingSoon.net), magazine editor (FANGORIA, DELIRIUM), composer (Music for Murder) and filmmaker (Blood for Irina, Female Werewolf, the upcoming Blue Eyes) Chris Alexander’s latest “fever dream” feature film Blood Dynasty will drip exclusively onto select streaming platforms on Halloween 2017 (October 31) from newly minted distributor Castle Films.  A DVD release will follow.

Castle Films is the brainchild of Alexander and B-movie legend and Rapid Heart Pictures honcho David DeCoteau (Dreamaniac, Creepozoids, Puppet Master III).

“Castle Films is in essence a label designed to release my smaller, stranger films, movies , pictures that are far more influenced by the dreamier, more sensual and esoteric genre films primarily produced in Europe in the 1970s, but tempered with a modern, singular and more abstract sensibility,” says Alexander of the partnership.

“I’m excited that Blood Dynasty will be the first release under this banner and thrilled to have the support and savvy of David to propel it forward. David lives to make movies and it’s that very drive, the same one that defined the ethic of my favorite director Jess Franco,  that represents everything I love about independent cinema.”

"There's not a week that goes by where a filmmaker approaches me and wants Rapid Heart to release his or her movie into the marketplace," says DeCoteau.

"I launched Rapid Heart back in 1999 when I concluded my overall directing deal with Full Moon. Rapid Heart was always intended to be a boutique production/distribution company for genre movies directed and produced by me. We were never in the acquisition business  at all but when my friend Chris Alexander showed me some of his wild and intense movies I thought his films should be available worldwide. Castle Films is Chris's boutique imprint that Rapid Heart will bring into the digital marketplace. They'll be exclusively available on Rapid Heart TV's YouTube channel, Amazon VOD and VIMEO WORLDWIDE VOD just in time for Halloween"

Blood Dynasty is the third in Alexander’s “Irina” vampire film cycle, that began with 2012’s award winning Blood for Irina and continued in 2014’s Queen of Blood.  The character of Irina – inspired in part by Lina Romay’s character in Franco’s Female Vampire – is once more reborn, rising from the sea to bring madness and bloodlust to a lonely young woman living in a decaying motel. Shauna, Henry, Cheryl Singleton, Holly Riot and Andre Becker star.

Like the previous films, the vampire Irina is more of a “karmic” character, a dream that is constantly placed in different incarnations in different times and worlds and representing different emotional and psychological states. Like the previous films, Blood Dynasty is slow, hypnotic, immersive and challenging and is driven by Alexander’s own pulsing, swirling electronic score. And like the other films…it’s soaked in dripping, ultra-red blood!

For more on Blood Dynasty visit the Official Blood Dynasty Facebook page and official IMDB page.

For more on the new world of Castle Films, visit the Official Castle Films Facebook page.

Links:

Castle Films FB page: https://www.facebook.com /Castle-Films-344967589255364/

Blood Dynasty FB page: https://www.facebook.com /Blood-Dynasty-A-Film-By-Chris -Alexander-696628893830529/

Blood Dynasty IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/titl e/tt6278862/

Rapid Heart Pictures: http://rapidheart.co m/

Comet TV June Lineup & Giveaway - Alien Invasion (CLOSED)

June is an action packed month over at Comet TV! With so many films you can only see on the Sci-Fi and Horror channel!

But that’s not all, did you know that this July is the 70th anniversary of the famed Roswell UFO crash?

This July 4th beginning at 10AM/9C Aliens Invade! Say wha? Yep, to ring in the 4th, Comet TV is holding an Invasion: Alien Attack Movie Marathon!

There’s Invisible Invaders (1959), The Falling (1987), Strange Invaders (1983) and more!

The Comet TV Prize Pack includes:

1 - Limited Edition custom designed Fidget Spinner: They are all the rage right now and there’s no better way to cool down when you’re hot under the collar and worried about the survival of the human species!

2 - Comet TV Popcorn Tubs: Munch your cares away with these two custom design popcorn tubs. Perfect to share with a friend or keep all the rations to yourself. You just might need it!

1 - Comet TV Cylinder Survival Bottle: During times of invasion you still need to hydrate. What if you were by a lake or stream while running from the aliens and didn’t have anything to put water in. Breathe freely my friends, we got you covered!

2 - Bags of Popcorn: How can we give you Popcorn Tubs without the popcorn. We’re not evil… Well…. Only sometimes.

1 - Limited Edition Comet TV Alien Invasion Collector Card: Warn your friends about the Alien Invasion with this handy dandy card! Shout it from the rooftops, scream it from the top of your lungs… Or just share it on Facebook. Either way, this limited edition collector card is an awesome way to share the love!

TO ENTER

1. Send Email to CelluloidTerror@yahoo.com titled "Comet TV Alien Invasion"

2. In the email include your full name and address 

3. Tell me your favorite alien invasion movie

4. US Residents Only

About COMET - June 2017

DO YOU WANT TO BELIEVE?

This July marks the 70th anniversary of the mysterious UFO crash at Roswell, and COMET is going all out to celebrate. On July 4, we’ll be airing our Invasion: Alien Attack Movie Marathon beginning at 10am/9C, which includes such classics as Strange Invaders and Without Warning.

July 4th beginning at 10AM/9C

Invisible Invaders (1959) 

at 10AM/9C

The Falling (1987) 

at NOON/11C

Strange Invaders (1983) 

at 2P/1C

Without Warning (1980) 

at 4P/3C

Alien Autopsy (2006) 

at 6P/5C

--------------------------------------

Sunday, June 25 – 

set up back-to-back for your curiosity, 

The Prophecy Trilogy starting at 2P/1C

The Prophecy (1995) at 2P/1C 

The Prophecy II (1998) at 4P/3C 

The Prophecy 3: The Ascent (2000) at 6P/5C

Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network Announced

For immediate release:

Chicago, IL - 26 June 2017 - Bloody Disgusting, the world’s premiere website for horror film news and reviews, is proud to announce the Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network, the foremost horror-centric podcast network featuring a wide variety of new shows. The network officially launches with five of the best podcasts available with a little something for everyone. Shows are available on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and the official Bloody Disgusting Mobile app.

The Bloody Disgusting Podcast Network’s initial five programs include The Horror Show, a comedy podcast that dissects, mutilates, dismembers, and butchers all the movies horror fans love and love to hate (hosted by Sean Miller and Joe Vitello); and Women In Caskets, wherein Dawn Humphry and Jen Brown pick apart the movies, television shows, games, and everything else that goes bump in the night. The Women in Caskets is a podcast for the feminist in everyone, hosted by horror fans who really know what it means to bleed.

Also featured is Forever Midnight, a joyful discussion of horror in cinema for all horror fans, not just know-it- all nerds - but also for know-it- all nerds (hosted by Jef Overn, Brian Henderson, Josh Staples).

Test Pattern - made in the spirit of the old hosted monster movie shows of our youth – is a little bit spooky and a little bit silly, but always informative. Jacob Jackson and Tabitha Carson have a new topic each week, with a focus on old school macabre.

And finally, there’s Virtual Pros, the least cringe-inducing wrestling podcast on the internet! Al and Mike buck trends and seamlessly weave in brash humor, lifestyle tidbits, and a general sense of level headedness rarely heard from a wrestling podcast.

Founded in 2001, Bloody Disgusting quickly became the top horror focused destination on the internet. We have become a household name after being quoted by numerous box office hits, named a top site by Entertainment Weekly in their print magazine, and giving birth to the V/H/S anthology movie franchise. Bloody-Disgusting.com reaches over 1.8 million unique horror fans each month and has a ravenous and highly engaged audience on social media platforms.

  

Download links: 

Main portal - http://bloody-disgusting.com/podcastnetwork

iOS - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bloody-disgusting/id1198499130

Android - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goodbarber.bdisgusting

PAUL NASCHY COLLECTION - Scream Factory Blu-ray Review

Spain/1973-1981

Directed By: Carlos Aured, Paul Naschy, Leon Klimovsky

Written by: Paul Naschy

Starring: Paul Naschy, Romy, Julia Saly

Color/446 Minutes/Not Rated

Region A

Release Date: June 20, 2017

The Films
Referred to as the Spanish Lon Chaney for his appearance in over 100 films, most of which were horror films where he frequently portrayed the monster or villain including over a dozen appearances as a werewolf, Paul Naschy (born Jacinto Molina Alvarez) is an icon of genre films. Naschy passed away in 2009 and unfortunately there hasn't been a great deal done in the age of high definition to honor his legacy. Thankfully that is starting to change with this new box set from Scream Factory and recent and planned future releases from several other horror home video saviors. It goes without saying that his release was the big daddy of all HD Naschy releases announced to date, packing five feature films together, including one of his best werewolf films that he is probably best known for.

The surreal madness of talking decapitated heads, zombies, witches and warlocks and plenty of bloodshed makes HORROR RISES FROM THE TOMB a perfect place to start this collection. It's among my favorite films in Naschy's filmography. It wears its influences on its sleeve but puts them to good use in creating a bizarre atmosphere and horror. Disc two features VENGEANCE OF THE ZOMBIES, a dual role film for Naschy where he stars as Krisna, an Indian mystic with a crazy family history, a pension for voodoo and a quirky cast of characters surrounding him. This film is colorful, sexy, bloody and a bit weird. There's scenes that don't really fit but they're entertaining and well done so you don't really mind. Then comes the second role for Naschy which features some nice makeup effects and gets the film to get down and dirty in its finale.

Naschy was obviously a fan of the giallo films of Italy as VENGEANCE has a scene ripped straight from those films but that was just a warm up for BLUE EYES OF THE BROKEN DOLL which is a full blown giallo featuring Naschy as a recently hired handyman at a home owned by a trio of sisters. It's a bit on the psychological side and a bit on the "what the fuck?" side, as many gialli tend to be. It features a fantastic foot chase through the forest when the cops believe they've discovered the identity of the masked killer who is murdering blue eyed, blonde haired women and carving out their eyes, and is one of Naschy's best performances. The killer reveal is a good one with plenty of red herrings to cloud the surprise revelation. The film's alternate title is HOUSE OF PSYCHOTIC WOMEN which may have been a better alternate title for HUMAN BEASTS which is a movie you won't soon forget. The plot is convoluted as it follows Naschy as a hitman for a Japanese gang who is being hunted down after stealing their sack of diamonds. Following a shoot out that leaves him wounded, Naschy wakes up in a large house under the care of a doctor and his two gorgeous daughters. Strange things happen around the house while the gang continues their search for Naschy, who is busy seducing both daughters at will. When the messy plot is all said and done we're left with my least favorite film of this collection but it is still a very entertaining one filled with sex, gore, shootouts, man eating pigs, cannibalism, and more.

It's fitting that the first Paul Naschy Blu-ray collection ends with one of his infamous werewolf films and it's nice that it is one of the best - NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF. This film directed by Naschy himself features the man as the Count Waldemar Daninsky, who has been sentenced to be put to death while wearing The Mask Of Death for being a werewolf. Also sentenced to death for witchcraft and other heresy is Elizabeth Bathory and her family. NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF takes off when a pair of grave robbers free Daninsky of his curse by removing the silver from his heart and a group of sexy coeds resurrect Elizabeth Bathory in a blood ritual and it all adds up to a sexy vampire, werewolf mashup with a great dusty castle setting and an awesome Blind Dead skeleton zombie ripoff monster. NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF rivals HRFTT as my favorite film in the set.

I hope Scream Factory is considering a second volume of the Paul Naschy collection because they've done a very nice job culling films for this set, giving audiences a nice overview of Naschy's legacy. There is no shortage of great and entertaining films for a second volume and it is my hope that horror fans latch on to Paul Naschy and put out a demand for more. I just wish he was alive to see his films get the HD treatment.

The Audio & Video

Each film has been newly scanned in 2K by Scream Factory giving us debuts of three of them in high definition and a very noticeable upgrade in picture quality over the previous BCI Blu-ray of Vengeance Of The Zombies and Night Of The Werewolf. Horror Rises From The Tomb, Human Beasts and Night Of The Werewolf are presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer while Vengeance Of The Zombies and Blue Eyes Of The Broken Doll are in their original 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio. Each film has their ups and downs as far as picture quality goes but thankfully there is a high floor to the bottom end of that spectrum for the most part. Even at their worst four of the five films look good and at their best they look spectacular. The majority of the films spend more time towards the top end of that spectrum than the bottom leaving us with a lasting impression of the high quality transfer that feature striking colors, strong detail levels in everything from clothing, props and sets to fleshy, natural looking skin tones. Black levels are deep and there's only a bit of speckling throughout. Grain levels vary as well but are usually healthy and not overly noisy. 

The outsider here is Human Beasts which looks quite a bit worse than the rest of the films with a very soft and noisy picture quality. Finer details is hard to find and really only present in the odd shot that is in better condition. I can chalk this one up to the source materials being in rough shape and sometimes there's only so much you can do.

From an audio standpoint each film features two options, both presented in DTS-HD Master Audio mono mixes- the native Castilian and English dubs. In most cases the tracks are very similar in quality, with crisp, clear presentations and a well done mix allowing dialogue to come through clearly while the soundtrack shines without becoming muddy one way or the other. The tracks are free of background noise or excessive damage. Again the outlier here is Human Beasts which I'd suggest only listening to with the native Castilian track because the English track sounds quite a bit worse with background noise and damage. Optional English subtitles are available for all five films. 

Please Note: The images DO NOT represent the picture quality of these Blu-rays.

The Extras

Special features by film:

-Horror Rises From The Tomb: Audio commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn from NaschyCast, Spanish credit sequence, alternate clothed sequences, theatrical trailer, still gallery

-Vengeance Of The Zombies: Spanish credit sequence, alternate clothed sequences, theatrical trailer, still gallery

-Blue Eyes Of The Broken Doll: Audio commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn, Spanish credit sequence, theatrical trailer, still gallery

-Human Beasts: Theatrical trailer, still gallery

-Night Of There Werewolf: Audio Commentary by Rod Barnett and Troy Guinn, deleted scenes, Spanish credit sequence, theatrical trailer, still gallery

Also included is an attractive 24 page color booklet by author Mirek Lipinski featuring an essay on each film. 

The Bottom Line

Naschy rules! And this collection of Paul Naschy films really highlights his work, giving viewers a range of his roles both in front of the camera and behind it. Naschy did quite a bit more beyond the wolf man character he is best known for portraying and this set gives new fans a glimpse into what the man had to offer while giving the people that already know about him some of his most memorable movies including one of his best werewolf movies. I highly recommend Scream Factory's new box set for all horror fans and for Naschy aficionados this is an essential collection!

THE PAUL NASCHY COLLECTION is available HERE

MIDNIGHTERS Trailer Release

Midnight, New Year’s Eve: when all the hopes of new beginnings come to life – except for Lindsey and Jeff Pittman, whose strained marriage faces the ultimate test after they cover up a terrible crime and find themselves entangled in a Hitchcockian web of deceit and madness. From Walking Dead director Julius Ramsay, Midnighters is a layered, enigmatic thriller set in the Gothic backwoods of New England – the perfect place to get away with murder.

GREMLIN (2017)

USA/2017
Directed By: Ryan Bellgardt
Written By: Ryan Bellgardt, Josh McKamie, Andy Swanson
Starring: Adam Hampton, Kristy, K. Boone,
VOD Release Date: July 11, 2017

Adam is the father of the Thatcher family who is going through a rough patch after the death of one of their children and now moving in with their grandmother. Things only get worse when they're given a strange box that houses a creature that will kill everyone the recipient loves unless he gifts the box to someone else that he truly loves. As the timer on the box counts down to the unknown final climax of the creature the Thatcher family struggles to deal with this monster and survive their own inner turmoil along with the deadly box.

Director Ryan Bellgardt first made a name for himself on the indie horror scene with Army Of Frankensteins which found a solid fanbase and widespread distribution from Scream Factory. He has now returned with a type of creature feature that could be played for shits and giggles or take on a darker and more serious. He chose the latter and I think the film works well, using the emotional family dynamic with plenty of relatable scenarios to its advantage and get the audience routing for this family to pull through despite their imperfections. This starts at the top with star Adam Hampton who plays an unfaithful husband but his character arc is one that we can all latch on to and his performance is rock solid. As is the rest of the Thatcher family including his wife Kristy K. Boone and their children played by Katie Burgess who manages to brilliantly play the moody teen without being too obnoxious or overacting and Catcher Stair who plays Charlie, the youngest child who is struggling with the death of his older brother.

GREMLIN doesn't hold back like many other horror films seem to these days as no character is safe. Anyone that comes in to contact with the box has a very real chance of getting offed in usually bloody and gory fashion. The creature is CGI but looks good, it moves fluidly and has a smooth look that doesn't stick out too much. The special effects are a mix of practical and CG and while most of the action effects are computer generated they are fine and the practical effects we get to see in the messy aftermath of a killing look quite realistic. Despite the name the monster has nothing in common with the Chinese Mogwai from the 80s classic Gremlins instead this creature looks more like a baby Cloverfield monster and comes from an ancient evil of a fallen God so says the lore. This Gremlin monster is far more vicious and violent than even the most rambunctious Mogwai would be even after feeding him a buffet after midnight and letting him swim in an Olympic sized pool. The lore describing the box and the monster in the movie leaves the final climax open ended with nobody knowing for sure what happens when the time on the box finally runs out.

And that is where GREMLIN almost falls apart for me. Can an ending totally tear a movie apart? Yes it can. Does it happen here? Well, no, not totally but when this small, contained creature feature that really makes the best of what it is and minimizes the common short comings of indie horror features decides that bigger is better and more is more it takes a giant step backwards for me. The climax turns the film in to a giant monster mess that features the worst effects of the film and the giant monster aspect is kept to such a small scale I'm left wondering why they went in that direction. Instead of adding "oohs" and "ahhhs" to movie it added my first and only groans of the 85 minute run time. It isn't a total disaster though. GREMLIN isn't perfect or terribly original, it is filled with themes and plot devices that have filled horror films for years and it hits all the beats of a standard movie of this type but aside from an ending that I didn't care for I think GREMLIN is a decent independent horror film from a director to keep an eye on.

EXORCIST: THE FALLEN - Wild Eye Releasing DVD Review

USA/2014
Directed By: Garrett Benach
Written By: Garrett Benach
Starring: Tara Marie Kirk, Rollyn Stafford, Justin Hall
Color/82 Minutes/Not Rated
Region FREE

The Film
A girl becomes possessed after using a really shitty looking Ouija board with her brother and his friend. The brother implores the help of a priest to perform an exorcism on her which he does after receiving the blessing from the girl and her parents due to the high risk nature of the act.

I'm not going to spend much time talking about EXORCIST: THE FALLEN so let me get this out of my system right now- This movie is hot steaming garbage. There are scenes that anyone watching should find insulting. On the top of that list is the single worst rendering of CGI blood I've ever seen. The blood is smeared around the girls nose and mouth and is so shitty that it stutters and jitters and has a hard time following the movement of the girl. I've seen computer generated blood that is bad but I don't think I've ever been offended by how bad it is. If the director wanted blood on face for these scenes it would have been as easy as spending $5 at the market for Karo syrup and food coloring and at the very least it would have actually been on her face and looked okay. I don't know how to even describe this because I want to call it lazy but it probably took as much effort to create this awful blood in post than it would to have mixed up a batch of fake blood on set.

That is how this movie treats its audience. There's nothing to latch on to as far as emotions go, there's no real moments of horror. The closest we get to it happen off screen and leave no lasting impact. It's a "so what" type situation. The possession is painfully generic with a bit of screaming, head banging and suggestive dialogue about incest and religion. The exorcism scene itself is supposed to be the big pay off against this demon that is growing inside the girl but is easily restrained by a couple of guys who are limply clutching her arms. There's no tension or suspense. There's no scares. There's nothing of value and it's all shit. I could keep going but there's really no need.

The Audio & Video
The technical side of this Wild Eye Releasing disc is actually quite good for a standard DVD. The anamorphic widescreen transfer features a picture that is sharp and has really nice detail with vibrant, lively colors. The Stereo 2.0 audio mix is solid, with no background noise or distracting buzzing, crackling or popping. The levels are stable and complimentary so the dialogue and music are never overpowering one another.

The Extras
-Original Trailers
-Storyboards
-Family Photo Album

The Bottom Line
Don't waste your time.

EXORCIST: THE FALLEN is available HERE

RLJ Entertainment Acquires The Osiris Child: Science Fiction Vol. 1

RLJ ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES “THE OSIRIS CHILD: SCIENCE FICTION VOLUME 1”

Film Set to Release in Theaters and on VOD in Fall 2017  

LOS ANGELES, June 13, 2017 – RLJ Entertainment (NASDAQ: RLJE) has acquired all North American rights to the highly anticipated action/science fiction film THE OSIRIS CHILD.  Directed by Shane Abbess (Infini, Gabriel), who also co-wrote the film with Brian Cachia (Infini), the film stars Kellan Lutz (Twilight Franchise), Daniel MacPherson (The Shannara Chronicles, “APB”), Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Knight of Cups), Temuera Morrison (“Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith”), with Rachel Griffiths (Hacksaw Ridge, “Six Feet Under”) and Teagan Croft, making her feature film debut.

RLJE plans to release THE OSIRIS CHILD in theaters and On Demand in Fall 2017.  Mark Ward, RLJE’s Chief Acquisitions Officer, made the announcement today. 

“We’re excited to be releasing this action-filled, science fiction film,” said Ward.  “Writer/director Shane Abbess is a true visual talent who cleverly applies his knowledge of filmmaking to bring a futuristic action-packed, adventure-filled story to the big screen.”

THE OSIRIS CHILD is set in a time of interplanetary colonization.   Sy Lombrok (Kellan Lutz), a drifter with a haunted past, forms an unlikely alliance with Kane Sommerville (Daniel MacPherson), a lieutenant who works for off-world military contractor Exor.  In a race against time, they set out to rescue Kane’s young daughter Indi (Teagan Croft) amid an impending global crisis created by Exor.

“We wanted to bring back a type of movie that seemed all but extinct - the old school sci-fi action/adventure from the 80’s with monsters, prison planets, sky battles and a host of fun, colorful characters. It’s a big universe with a huge story arc and we’re ecstatic to introduce it to the world with this first installment,’” said Abbess.

THE OSIRIS CHILD is produced by Matthew Graham, Brett Thornquest, Sidonie Abbene and Abbess via their Storm Alley and Eclectik Vision banners, in association with Phonetic Images and executive produced by Steven Matusko.  The producing team previously collaborated on Infini and Terminus and most recently the upcoming thriller Better Watch Out.

RLJ Entertainment’s Ward and Jess De Leo negotiated the deal with XYZ Film’s Co-Founder Nate Bolotin on behalf of the filmmakers. 

 
ABOUT RLJ ENTERTAINMENT
RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) is a premium digital channel company serving distinct audiences primarily through its popular OTT branded channels, Acorn TV (British TV) and UMC (Urban Movie Channel), which have rapidly grown through development, acquisition, and distribution of its exclusive rights to a large library of international and British dramas, independent feature films and urban content. RLJE’s titles are also distributed in multiple formats including broadcast and pay television, theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-ray, and a variety of digital distribution models (including EST, VOD, SVOD and AVOD) in North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Additionally, through Acorn Media Enterprises, its UK development arm, RLJE co-produces and develops new programs and owns 64% of Agatha Christie Limited.

THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU/THE CASTLE OF FU MANCHU - Blue Underground Blu-ray Review

Spain, Germany/1968, 1969
Directed By: Jess Franco
Written By: Manfred Barthel, Harry Alan Towers, Jess Franco
Starring: Christopher Lee, Tsai Chin, Richard Greene
Color/
Region FREE
Release Date: May 30, 2017

The Films
Harry Alan Towers brought Fu Manchu back to the silver screen after three decades without the Chinese madman who was hellbent on world domination. He put Christopher Lee in the titular role and five movies later Fu Manchu's legacy is that of a schlocky B-movie franchise that is underloved and overly scrutinized.

Yes, the films are campy and flawed but taken for what they are, globetrotting adventure films with far fetched plot devices and grandiose plans that they could never truly fully realize, they offer plenty of enjoyment and entertainment value. Christopher Lee adds a touch of class to the productions as he was never one to phone it in. He cared about the character even if he was a bit miserable playing him due to the makeup effects done to give him a more Asian appearance. His co-star was Tsai Chin who played his daughter and second in command to his power and leadership. Chin is also quite good and gives the film a nice one two punch of villains. Richard Greene plays Nayland Smith, a Scotland Yard agent who has made a career out of chasing his arch rival and putting a stop to his nefarious plans. Greene is passable in his role but a more charismatic actor would certainly have spiced things up and given the audience more of a hero to grasp on to.

THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU is the fourth film in the series and the first to be directed by Jess Franco. The film follows Fu Manchu, now hiding in South America, as he attempts world domination once again. This time he has discovered an ancient poison found in snakes that he will transfer to the beautiful women he has captured and imprisoned and unleash on the world slowly. One kiss on the lips from these women will result in blindness, paralysis and ultimately death. If his demands are not met he will unleash the full scale version of and wipe out a large portion of Earth's population.

While BLOOD is an entertaining film, it is ultimately messy and filled with too much fat that could have been trimmed. There are characters that don't fit the film and are present for one of the film's several subplots that don't go anywhere. There are scenes that could have been lifted straight from a comedy spaghetti western.  Lee is unsurprisingly the shining star of the film giving a stoic and centered performance. The film has several signature touches of director Jess Franco, most notably sexy women in prison being tortured in some way. I enjoy THE BLOOD OF FU MANCHU but it could have been a tighter film with some editing or a better script.

Jess Franco returns to the directors chair to wrap up the franchise with THE CASTLE OF FU MANCHU from 1969 where Fu Manchu has developed a plan to freeze the oceans of Earth using special crystals which he demonstrates on a smaller scale in the opening scene that features an ocean liner striking an iceberg and sinking in a scene that is eerily similar to some of the scenes in James Cameron's blockbuster Titanic when it sinks. Cameron is no stranger to genre films so it would not surprise me if he had seen this film and set up a shot or two in his film to match that of Franco's sinking ship shown here as a wink and nod to the type of cult films he cut his teeth on.

Christopher Lee is a bit more animated in his performance here and the film as a whole is more visually appealing. The sets feature more colored lighting and detailed dressing and there's no unnecessary subplots getting in the way. It's odd to me that CASTLE is received less positively than BLOOD from the research I've done prior to this review. I think CASTLE is a better film in almost every way. The film ends similarly to how BLOOD ends but we never get the return that Fu Manchu promises in a voice over before the credits roll.

THE CASTLE OF FU MANCHU may not be the neatly wrapped gift under the tree type conclusion to the series that I would have liked to see happen in perhaps one final movie but it is a step up from the previous installment and if this was how the series was to end at least it ended heading in the right direction and on a positive note. The series deserved at least that much.

The Audio & Video
This double feature from Blue Underground brings the final two Fu Manchu films to high definition for the first time but unfortunately the presentations aren't stellar. Both films feature a 1.66:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer. BLOOD is worst of the two films with a soft transfer that mostly fails to impress. While it is an upgrade over standard DVD it is a small one. Colors have little pop to them and the image is overly noisy with digital artifacts. There's a lack of fine detail that makes Blu-ray special and there is a wobble present in a couple of scenes. CASTLE is a bit of an improvement over BLOOD as colors have more life to them and there's a bit more fine detail. The picture is also less hampered by digital noise. Thankfully the audio is great. The DTS-HD Master Audio track features a mono mix, recreating the original English language audio mix in crystal clear HD. There's no issues with crackling, popping or other imperfections or background noise. The sound is crisp and the levels are steady. Dialogue blends well with the score and one never overpowers the other.

The Extras
Special features include "The Rise And Fall Of Fu Manchu" a two part interview totaling half an hour and including footage with Jess Franco, Christopher Lee, Tsai Chin and Shirley Eaton. These interviews are quite an enjoyable listen with plenty of good insights and anecdotes. Also included are original theatrical trailers and a poster and still gallery.

The Bottom Line
These are two entertaining cult films that are underrated and I recommend current fans or anyone with a curiosity towards Fu Manchu pick up this double feature.

THE FU MANCHU DOUBLE FEATURE is available HERE

IFC Midnight's KILLING GROUND Official Trailer

On behalf of IFC Midnight, we are pleased to share the OFFICIAL US TRAILER for the disturbing horror/thriller film KILLING GROUND. 

A brutal tale of survival that will have your heart racing, KILLING GROUND marks the debut feature of writer/director Damien Power and stars Australian actors Aaron Pedersen (ABC’s “Jack Irish”), Ian Meadows (Network Ten’s “The Wrong Girl”), Harriet Dyer (Nine Network’s “Love Child”) and Aaron Glenane (Truth).

KILLING GROUND had its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews and recently played at the Overlook Film Festival. An Australian thriller with great storytelling, editing and sound, this is one hell of a film that will linger with you long after the credits roll. 

IFC Midnight will release the film in Theaters and On Demand on Friday, July 21, 2017.  We would appreciate if you could kindly post the trailer for us.  

THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS - Vinegar Syndrome DVD Review

USA/1983
Directed By: Fred Lincoln
Written By: Figaro Beulah Vincinzo, Randall Edwards, Fred Lincoln
Starring: Jamie Gillis, France Lomay, Natasha
Color/86 Minutes/X
Region FREE
Release Date: May 30, 2017

The Film
Jamie Gillis stars as a fashion photographer living and working in Paris where he has relationships going on with a pair of sisters under the names of Paul and Philippe unbeknownst to the sisters that they are one and the same. Unsurprisingly his main goal is to get the sisters into bed at the same time, the ultimate menage a trois.

THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS is a X-rated take on comedic romance movies starring a man gallivanting around the city having flings with various women while blowing his chance with his one true love, or two true loves in this case. Jamie Gillis is no stranger to acting in traditional films and shows it here with a solid performance when he's not busy putting the moves to both sisters. He also has one of the most self loathing sex fantasies I've ever seen in a film and it is hilarious in the grand scheme of the film and on top of that adds a level of genuine love and emotion that completely elevates the story above a lustful level and shows Gillis' character in a more positive light.

Director Fred Lincoln gives a grandiose feeling with much of the film being shot within Paris and a few scenes at the end in New York. The film looks good and features solid performances including the sexy sisters played by France Lomay and Natasha who help end the film on a bang with a set up for Paul in New York City that comes crashing through the door like an unwelcome guest but by the end of the party ends up being the life of the party. That ending scene is so out of left field but it is a stupidly silly surprise that sums up how cutely romantic this film is at its core beyond the numerous sex scenes. It doesn't take long to realize THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS has soul and spirit. The catchy original theme song and opening credits make you realize the personality this movie has immediately. The rest of the music is great as well with the passionate wails of the electric guitar being rivaled only by the passionate moans of the sisters in their romps with Jamie Gillis' split character.

I love THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS from start to finish. It's a transatlantic X-rated romp filled with almost as many laughs as money shots.

And there's a slow motion money shot so how could you not want to see it?

The Audio & Video
THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS has been given a new 2K scan and restoration from the original 35mm camera negative courtesy of Vinegar Syndrome and it looks very nice for a standard DVD release. The picture is sharp including natural but vivid colors and fleshy, healthy skin tones. Detail is good and there's minimal imperfections in the 16x9 anamorphic widescreen transfer. The English audio is handled with a Dolby Digital mono mix which is solid. There's no crackling, popping or other annoying imperfections present and the dialogue and score are mixed nicely.

The Extras
A 12 minute interview with supporting actor John Mozzer is the lone extra but it's a welcomed addition to the feature.

The Bottom Line
Much of the attention to this month's Vinegar Syndrome releases is being paid to Malibu High and The Hearse and for good reason but it would be a crime to overlook THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS because it is wildly entertaining and a fine release.

THAT'S OUTRAGEOUS is available HERE

PRISONER X - RLJ Entertainment DVD Review

Canada/2016
Directed By: Gaurav Seth
Written By: Robert Reed (novel), Gaurav Seth
Starring: Michelle Nolden, Damon Runyan, Julian Richings, Romano Orzari
Color/88 Minutes/Not Rated
Region 1
Release Date: June 6, 2017

The Film
Political and social thrillers are usually more interesting when the film mirrors the day to day goings on in the real world. If the audience can identify on personal level with the plot and turmoil that is featured in the film they will immediately be drawn in to it. It is then up to the filmmakers to keep that interest. PRISONER X manages to do that.

The world is at war when a federal agent named Carmen Reese (Michelle Nolden) arrives at a secret facility to interrogate a prisoner with links and information to recent attacks on America but this man is one of 99 time travelers from the future that are causing worldwide attacks in order to create a new past that leads to the version of the future they want. PRISONER X was adapted from a novella by writer/director Gaurav Seth in what is his first film credit in over a decade and he proves he can make a decent minimalist thriller. PRISONER X relies more on performances and writing than it does on visual effects and action. While I did think the film worked I would have enjoyed a bit more excitement and flair as I was left a bit hungry for some more action to break things up inside the underground facility a bit more.

The performances are the strong point of PRISONER X led by Michelle Nolden the rest of the supporting cast holds up their end of the bargain just as well. A lesser ensemble performance would have left the film in dire straits as there is usually little to focus on but the performances and dialogue.  The time travel angle is handled skillfully making it easy to follow without sacrificing any finer details or ideas that often leave time travel plots feeling underdeveloped or overly confusing for no reason. By the end I wish there was more of an exciting or climatic payoff to come away with as that would have left me feeling much more satisfied with my viewing of PRISONER X but there's no taking away that in 2017, and seemingly more and more as each day passes, PRISONER X is a time traveling tale of science fiction that is sadly grounded in our every day reality.

The Audio & Video
The DVD release from RLJ Entertainment features a 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer that looks very good for a standard definition release. The picture is sharp and features nice detail. The visual design of the film makes for muted colors in the underground bunkers where grey walls surround the characters at almost all times. The 5.1 Dolby Digital mix sounds crisp and clear, free of any audible debris or background noise. There's not much in the way of special sound effects to really push the surround mix but that doesn't detract from an otherwise quality audio track. There is an option for closed captions as well.

The Extras
A 9 minute behind-the-scenes featurette is the lone extra.

The Bottom Line
The strongest point for PRISONER X is its social relevancy that will make it a more interesting viewing experience than if it were released in previous decades with similar ideas. It is a solid time travel sci-fi terrorism thriller that fits perfectly in today's climate.

PRISONER X is available HERE