KISS OF THE TARANTULA (VCI Entertainment Blu-ray Review)

USA/1976
Directed By: Chris Unger
Written By: Warren Hamilton Jr., Daniel Cady
Starring: Suzanna Ling, Ernesto Macias, Herman Wallner
Color/85 Minutes/PG
Region A
Release Date: January 22, 2019
Blu-ray/DVD

The Film
Susan is a lonely girl living with her parents in their mortuary and typically only spending time with the spiders she keeps as pets in the basement. When she learns of her mother's wicked plan to murder her father she unleashes one of her deadliest pets, a tarantula on her mother with deadly results. Now in her teens and bonded to the spiders stronger than ever Susan and her pets make a deadly duo for anyone that thinks they can walk all over her.

KISS OF THE TARANTULA is a play on Willard but exchanging a young man for a girl and his pet rat for some red-kneed Tarantulas. The film does a good job showing the affection Susan has for the arachnids early on and tries its best to make them as terrifying to watch as they slowly plod along the chests, shoulders and faces of their victims without any sort of graphic violence. The film earns every bit of its PG rating, never showing blood or nudity, quite a rarity for a drive-in horror picture of the mid 1970s. It never tries to imitate those moments and cheat us out of the payoff however so I do give it credit for that. It seems most of Susan's victims die simply of fright. That doesn't account for the incestuous uncle subplot that makes the whole thing weird and wacky for any 70s triple bill.

I've been a fan of KISS OF THE TARANTULA for years as I've found the connection between Susan and the spiders to be a suitable vehicle for the film and enjoy watching her tormentors who tease her, break in to her family's home to steal caskets as a prank and even end up killing the only person her own age who treats her with respect, squirm, squeal and cry as the spiders plod along towards them, on them and over them until it is all just too much. Of course I do wish the film took a more traditional exploitative approach and offered up something a bit more violent and nastier, it would have definitely helped the film's reputation and given it a bigger fan base but there's worse ways to spend a rainy afternoon than alone with Susan and her eight-legged friends in the basement. She really should meet Willard one day... a match made in pest heaven.

The Audio & Video
VCI Entertainment gives KISS OF THE TARANTULA a Blu-ray for the first time after previously releasing the film on DVD. The back of the Blu-ray boasts that it has been restored and remastered in a 2K scan fro the original 35mm negative and I believe that as the picture does have a decent sharpness to it that gives way to moderately improved detail level. There is a yellowish tint over the picture that I don't remember from watching previously released version of the film. It isn't too bothersome but worth noting. The 1.85:1 aspect ratio does preserve the film's original aspect ratio. The audio is presented in a LPCM 2.0 English track and sounds good. I didn't notice any background noise, hissing, popping or other imperfections. The mix is simplistic but adequate to the film.

The Extras
Bare bones.

The Bottom Line
I recommend it for fans of drive-in era horror looking for something lighter and silly but still schlocky

KISS OF THE TARANTULA is available HERE

FULL MOON FEATURES TAKES ON BOLD VENTURE

IN INTERACTIVE FEATURE FILMMAKING WITH

“DEADLY TEN”

Live-Streamed Production of Ten Original Full Moon Feature Films

HOLLYWOOD, April 19, 2019 – DEADLY TEN is an immersive cinematic initiative that will see Full Moon Features boldly producing a series of ten original genre films, live-streamed in front of fans. These ten films will include sequels of beloved Full Moon franchises, a spin on classic cult favorites, and daring soon-to-be essential genre films.  Principal photography will begin shooting in June 2019 and continue throughout the year in Europe and North America.  Release for the DEADLY TEN is slated for Spring 2020, and will premiere exclusively on Full Moon's Amazon Prime Channel.

In an unprecedented move, Full Moon will be giving fans an all access pass to this unique production by providing an inside peek into the magic of genre filmmaking.  Fans will be able to log into the DEADLY TEN website (www.DeadlyTen.com) and watch the current motion picture being shot in real time. Live feeds, exclusive on-set interviews, special effects secrets, pre-and post-production videos, interactive director's blogs and more.  Through this immersive experience, cineastes and budding young filmmakers can delve deep into mechanics of the movies and learn first-hand all about the joys, struggles, creativity, and hard work that goes into making a fully produced, independent feature film.

"This is one of the most exciting Full Moon production initiatives since our '90s video store heyday," says Full Moon founder and cult movie legend Charles Band.  "It's ambitious, high concept, a bit insane and there's never been another interactive filmmaking concept quite like this. As Full Moon thrives in the new terrain of streaming and takes viewers to places not many have gone before, we hope fans will love being a part of our new adventure!"

The DEADLY TEN film slate will include:

BLADE: THE IRON CROSS (Dir:John Lechago)

BRIDE OF THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY (Dir: Charles Band)

NECROPOLIS: LEGION (Dir: Chris Alexander)

SORORITY BABES IN THE SLIMEBALL BOWL-O-RAMA 2 (Dir: David De Coteau, Brinke Stevens)

BLOOD RISE: SUBSPECIES V (Dir: Ted Nicolaou)

HALLOWEED NIGHT (Dir: Danny Draven)

THE HOURGLASS (Dir: Ryan Brookhart)

FEMALIEN: COSMIC CRUSH (Dir: Lindsey Schmitz)

THE SHADOWHEART CURSE (Dir: Charles Band)

THE GRIM RAPPER (Dir: Billy Butler)

ABOUT FULL MOON FEATURES

Founded in 1989 by iconic independent film producer and director Charles Band, Full Moon is the successor to Band's groundbreaking Empire Pictures Studio from the 1980's. With Empire, Band created now-classic horror films like RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND and GHOULIES.  Band’s films helped launch the career of many of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Demi Moore (PARASITE), Helen Hunt (TRANCERS), and Viggo Mortensen (PRISON), to name a few.  With Full Moon, Band has produced over 150 films, including the PUPPET MASTER franchise, SUBSPECIES, PIT AND THE PENDULUM, CASTLE FREAK, DOLLMAN, DEMONIC TOYS, PREHYSTERIA!, EVIL BONG and many more. As well as feature films, Full Moon produces original series, toys, collectibles, merchandise, comic books and publishes the popular horror film magazin

e DELIRIUM.

HAGAZUSSA (Doppleganger Films Blu-ray Review)

Germany, Austria/2017
Directed By: Lukas Feigelfeld
Written By: Lukas Feigelfeld
Starring: Aleksandra Cwen, Celina Peter, Claudia Martini
Color/100 Minutes/
Region A
Release Date: April 23, 2019

The Film
The film's subtitle "A Heathen's Curse" sums up HAGAZUSSA quite well as we follow a young woman in the 15th century Austrian Alps who has had grown up with darkness surrounding her. Now she lives alone with her baby in a small hut and begins to be tempted by the dark magic that has spread fear and paranoia across the landscape for ages.

HAGAZUSSA comes from German director Luka Feigelfeld who creates a deliberately paced, slow burn atmosphere piece that some might find to be detached but I think almost every scene is delivered with purpose even when it seems nothing of note is happening, it's all calculated. The photography in HAGAZUSSA is largely composed of static shots that somehow perfectly capture the majesty, seclusion and power of the Austrian Alps setting, almost managing to turn the setting into a character itself which can become overbearing on its inhabitants, especially our lead Albrun (played wonderfully by Aleksandra Cwen).

There will undoubtedly be comparisons drawn to Robert Eggers' 2015 film The Witch which featured a similar story set in 17th century New England along with a similar slow burn pace and priority on atmosphere and mood with a well thought out set of more intense visuals to add a powerful punch. Those comparisons are completely warranted but make no mistake, HAGAZUSSA is not a cheap ripoff. Lukas Heigelfeld spent too much time crafting a beautiful production, filled with Oscar worthy art direction and a droning score that creeps into you deeper and deeper as the film moves along to call this a ripoff. The film also served as Heigelfeld's final work for film school and if he was interested in ripping off an already popular story he could have picked something that would have been easier to pull off than a very deliberately paced period pace set in the Austrian alps.

I feel that HAGAZUSSA is a couple key iconic scenes away from being in that true upper echelon of modern horror masterpieces but it is a textbook example of minimalistic horror how to build tension over a long period of time and slowly descend a character into madness. I hope to see more from Lukas Heigelfeld very soon.

The Audio  Video
Doppleganger Releasing gives HAGAZUSSA a home on Blu-ray in the US with a beautiful release featuring a 2.39:1 anamorphic widescreen ratio which retains the films original aspect ratio. The picture quality is tested from one end of the spectrum to the other and always comes out looking strong. The black levels are very deep and free of any crush or blocking while the bright whites of the snow covered alps are properly dazzling but never begin to burn too hot. The lush mountainside forests and cabin settings all look incredible, showing very fine and subtle details in textures and surfaces, especially in interior settings. Audibly, the film is presented in the film's native German language with optional English subtitles in a subtly robust 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio mix that may not immediately blow but once you realize just how many many layers there are to the sound mix in this and how it penetrates you from all angles in an under-the-radar fashion I realized how great the audio on this disc is. The subtitles are timed and translasted perfectly as well.

The Extras
-Director's Commentar on Selected Scenes
-Deleted Scene with optional Director's Commentary
-"Interferenz" - A short film by Lukas Heigelfeld
-Music Video by MMMD

The Bottom Line
HAGAZUSSA is destined to divide audiences but those who enjoy art house horror and atmosphere over jump scares will find a slice of Euro horror excellence.

HAGAZUSSA is available HERE

April Exploitation Challenge Day 13

Leprechaun Returns Coming To Blu-ray From Lionsgate This June

Street Date: 6/11/19

Blu-ray™ SRP: $14.99

DVD SRP: $14.98

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Be careful what you wish for when Leprechaun Returns arrives on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital) and DVD June 11 from Lionsgate. This film is currently available on Digital and On Demand. The devious and deadly wisecracking Leprechaun that we all know (and love to hate) returns to reclaim his pot of gold from a sorority house property…all while gleefully going on a Leprechaun-style killing spree. Leprechaun Returns stars Linden Porco as The Leprechaun with his signature hat and shiny shoes, Taylor Spreitler, and Mark Holton, who returns to the series for the first time since the original 1993 film. TheLeprechaun Returns Blu-ray and DVD will include a making-of featurette, behind-the-scenes footage, and still gallery, and will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.99 and $14.98, respectively.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

The deadly, wisecracking Leprechaun is back in all his gory glory. When the sorority sisters of the Alpha Upsilon house decide to go green and use an old well as their water source, they unwittingly awaken a pint-sized, green-clad monster. The Leprechaun wants a pot of gold buried near the sorority house, but first he must recover his powers with a killing spree—and only the girls of AU can stop him.

BLU-RAY / DVD / DIGITAL SPECIAL FEATURES

• “Going Green with Director Steven Kostanski” Featurette
• Leprechaun Returns Behind-the-Scenes Footage
• Still Gallery 

CAST

Taylor Spreitler           TV’s “Days of Our Lives,” Girl on the Edge, The Contractor

Pepi Sonuga               TV’s “Famous in Love,” TV’s “Ash vs Evil Dead,” TV’s “The Fosters”

Sai Bennett                 TV’s “Mr. Selfridge,” Trapped, TV’s “Knightfall”

Emily Reid                   End of Term, TV’s “Curfew,” Aquilo

Ben McGregor            The Machine, TV’s “Fresh Meat,” TV’s “The Passing Bells”

Linden Porco               Littleman, A Very Larry Christmas, TV’s “Channel Zero”

Mark Holton                Leprechaun, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, A League of Their Own

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Year of Production: 2018

Title Copyright: © 2018 Leprechaun Returns. All Rights Reserved.

Type: Digital Premiere

Rating: R for horror violence/gore and some sexual references.

Genre: Horror, Thriller, Comedy

Closed-Captioned: N/A

Subtitles: English, Spanish, English SDH

Feature Run Time: 93 Minutes

Blu-ray Format: 1080p High Definition, 16x9 (1.78:1) Presentation

DVD Format: 16x9 (1.78:1) Presentation

Blu-ray Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio™

DVD Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio