Mondo Digital - Upcoming Releases

JOHN CHARLES

The following ten releases are the ones that most reminded me why I have boxes full of these things taking up all the spare room in my apartment...

BUDDHA'S PALM (Intercontinental Region 3 HK): Although it lacks anamorphic enhancement, this is still a laudable rendition of one of the craziest and most supercharged HK fantasies around. Great fun!
CONTAMINATION (Blue Underground): While the closest thing to a compliment that one can extend the film would be something along the lines of "laughably inept," this disc still makes my list because of Blue Underground's unbelievably reverent presentation. It may be the act of polishing a turd but I cannot help but tip my hat to a job very well done.
THE CRAZIES (Blue Underground): Blue Underground released a series of terrific discs in 2003 but their excellent presentation of this George Romero film is my favorite of the batch. Highly satisfying on a technical level, with a very informative and interesting commentary by Romero and Bill Lustig on the mechanics of low-budget filmmaking.
THE GHOUL (MGM): I'd always avoided this vintage British thriller because of the horrid versions in circulation. Thankfully, I was finally able to see it (in more ways than one) thanks to MGM's absolutely gorgeous restoration. The film itself is imperfect but very much worthwhile and let's hope that Universal has a look at the work done here before they take another crack at their horror classics.
THE HILLS HAVE EYES (Anchor Bay): Another very praiseworthy presentation of a rough (and rough looking) movie that still retains much of its raw power over two decades later.
INTIMATE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN (Intercontinental R3 HK): Chor Yuen's deliciously stylish lesbian/martial arts/murder mystery lives up to its rep and is easily one of the most eye-opening and important Shaw Brothers films to hit DVD thus far. The 16:9 transfer looks to have been upconverted from 4:3 but the imagery is still magnificent and the supplementary material thankfully more extensive than most Celestial offerings to date.
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (Paramount): Paramount released virtually no special edition laserdiscs and their early DVDs were a very uninspiring and overpriced lot. Thankfully, they decided to no longer buck the trend and came through for this Sergio Leone masterpiece. The image here is so good it's spellbinding and a major improvement on the company's old LD.
PTU (Mei Ah Region 3 HK): After a series of dismal romantic comedies and the putrid double whammy of FULLTIME KILLER and RUNNING OUT OF TIME 2, I was about ready to give up on Johnny To once and forever but he is back in form with this beautifully shot police thriller, which manages to captivate with stoic silence and mood, rather than just the usual genre ingredients. Mei Ah?s anamorphic DVD is a huge improvement over their early releases and about on par with American discs.
THE SUPER INFRAMAN (Intercontinental R3 HK): At last, this zany HK super hero epic can be fully appreciated on video, thanks to an eye-popping restoration and proper scope framing. Some will be disappointed by the loss of the campy Peter Fernandez English dubtrack but anyone who skips buying the disc for this reason deserves to lose out on the immense pleasures this Shaw Brothers production has to offer.
TARGETS (Paramount): Another film that remains surprisingly potent after all of these years. With an excellent transfer and interesting commentary track by Peter Bogdanovich, and a SRP under $10, this was 2003's best DVD bargain.

TRAVIS CRAWFORD

ALIEN QUADRILOGY (Fox)
ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL (Criterion)
DEAD AND BURIED (Blue Underground)
EMANUELLE IN AMERICA (Blue Underground)
A FILM TRILOGY BY INGMAR BERGMAN (Criterion)
THE MONDO CANE COLLECTION (Blue Underground)
ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (Paramount)
STRAW DOGS (Criterion)
STYLE WARS (Plexifilm)
TOKYO STORY (Criterion)

BRUCE HOLECHECK

EMANUELLE IN AMERICA (Blue Underground): The disc everyone said couldn't be done. After years of waiting, the ever-dauntless Blue Underground unleash Joe D'amato's exercise in all things mind-melting to DVD in high style, with its horse-diddlin', hardcore sex and intense pseudo-snuff intact, backed up with a slate of worthwhile extras. Laura Gemser's erotic adventures as free-spirited, globe hopping reporter Emanuelle have never been treated with this much respect; let's hope it's only the beginning!
ESCAPE 2000 (Anchor Bay): Here's one I've been rooting for ever since Anchor Bay's initial New World catalog acquisition - an outlandish and gory futuristic updating of The Most Dangerous Game replete with multiple severed appendages, hyper werewolves in cross-country vehicles, hilarious political ramblings and Steve Railsback! Usually disemboweled, this Aussie action flick amazingly turns up as a packed special edition showcasing a resplendent uncut transfer, an active sound remix, featurettes, commentary, trailers and more. Who would have ever guessed?
FLAVIA THE HERETIC (Synapse): Sleazy art? Arty sleaze? Something in between? Now you can decide, thanks to Synapse's gorgeous debut of this bizarro slice of violent nunsploitation. Impossible to find a good copy prior (complete tapes were fullframe and ltbx tapes were cut) and never even released to home video domestically, we can now view the classiest "naughty nun" flick of 'em all in virtually pristine condition. Not much in the way of additional items (save an interview with starlet Florinda Balkan and a stills gallery), but it's the movie that really counts.
I DRINK YOUR BLOOD (Grindhouse): David Durston's rabid hippie contagion classic finally lands on disc, and it's a doozy. Aside from the remastered presentation of the main feature, Grindhouse have packed nearly every nook and cranny of this platter with some sort of supplemental material; it's enough to keep you busy for days. Interviews, commentaries, photo collections, trailers and items that are just peripherally related to the film or its crew are included just for the sake of completeness. All hail S.A.D.O.S.!
LONE WOLF AND CUB: BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX (Animeigo): The epic tales of exiled executioner Ogami Ito are making their way to U.S. DVD after much delay, and let me tell ya', it was more than worth the wait. Not only are the films (which detail the revenge-fueled exploits of samurai and child across feudal Japan) pure poetry in motion, but Animeigo's restored transfers take on an almost 3-D sheen that will steal your breath with every slow-motion spray of arterial crimson. I picked the second entry of the series simply because I like its title more, but ALL are highly recommended. No extras except for trailers and liner notes, but who cares?
NEKROMANTIK 2 (Barrel): Corpse-humpin' never seemed so sweet. This strangely poignant and morbidly romantic account of the darker sides of human desire remains provocative viewing to this day, which shouldn't be a surprise considering it was purposely designed to alienate horror fans. Never an outfit to skimp, Barrel have gone all out with its digital issue, not only delivering a beautiful transfer and loading on piles of sublime extras like outtakes, onset footage and commentaries, but also including the entire soundtracks to both installments on a bonus CD!
SCRAPBOOK (Sub Rosa): To be frank, most independent films these days are total crap. And do we really need another homemade serial killer opus? Apparently yes, we did. Believable acting, unexpected twists, inspired (but not showy) direction and a complete refusal to pull any punches whatsoever catapult this one way above its peers. The end product is undeniably perverse, brutal and often hard to watch, but that's what makes it such an atypical surprise in a genre full of stale efforts. Sub Rosa's DVD contains plenty of input from the makers by way of commentaries and behind-the-scenes footage, too.
SEVEN WOMEN FOR SATAN (Mondo Macabro): Simply the most delirious piece of Eurotrash I've seen in years. Reminiscent of Jean Rollin on speed, this former obscurity never fails to entertain, from its ridiculous storyline to its infectious score to director Michel Lemoine's jaw-droppingly insane turn in front of the camera. In addition to a new transfer from the last film elements known to exist, Mondo Macabro includes a well-made interview segment, a trailer and a few informative text essays, but they're merely the icing on the cake with this newfound gem.
THE TOUCH OF HER FLESH / THE CURSE OF HER FLESH / THE KISS OF HER FLESH (Something Weird/Image): The hilariously misogynistic misadventures of one-eyed woman killer Richard Jennings get new life thanks to this wonderful collaboration between Something Weird and Image. Possibly the most berserk films ever made, Michael and Roberta Findlay's grungy masterpieces of anti-female sentiment have never looked so sparkling and established fans will be thrilled to find additional footage, too! While completely bereft of the bonus materials SWV are usually known for (there wasn't any room!), this trashy trilogy is still sure to destroy any relationship you're currently in. "So long, sucker!"
A VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD (Image): Long seen only in horribly bastardized versions, Jess Franco's moody fever dream is now available in what can at last be considered its definitive presentation. A personal, surreal and lyrical mediation on the uncertain nature of death that will undoubtedly frustrate some but fascinate followers with its poetic vagueness, this is not your usual Franco outing. Bruno Nicolai's rhythmic, driving score only adds to the film's disorienting appeal. Challenging, but rewarding. Besides the superior French language option, Image also presents a trailer with exclusive footage and a collection of alternate takes and insert sequences.

NATHANIEL THOMPSON

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Criterion): Hope of seeing a pristine version of the finest fairy tale fantasy ever made seemed to vanish thanks to the whims of film preservation (and lack thereof), but against the odds a gorgeous version of Jean Cocteau's essential classic finally surfaced. From Walt Disney to Angels in America, this blend of the monstrous and the poetic still influences pop culture on a mass scale strangely acknowledged by very few. Magical extras, too.

BLUE SUNSHINE (Synapse): One of the greatest drug horror films ever made gets revitalized by Synapse, restoring the icy chill to a low budget gem lost for years in video oblivion. Scrappy, scruffy, and very vicious, this disturbing coda to the flower power generation remains a cautionary tale for free-living kids who think tomorrow never comes. And you'll never look at a shaved head the same way again. Extra points for throwing in the soundtrack CD.

THE DIABOLICAL DR. Z (Mondo Macabro): Pete Tombs' international DVD outfit really came into its own in 2003 with a spree of outrageous oddities from around the world, but the biggest news was this refurbished presentation of one of Jess Franco's best films (and yes, smart alecks out there, that really does count for something). Gorgeous black and white photography, multiple language options (finally!), and snazzy bonus material make this one of the best Eurocult releases in the format's history.

ERASERHEAD (David Lynch): Foolishly available only online, David Lynch's industrial nightmare of fatherhood, twitching chickens and wriggling spermatazoa looks like a dream (albeit a really scary one) on DVD. Not surprisingly, the extras and menus are just as eccentric as the feature film. Overpriced to be sure, but hard to pass up for those who don't despise it.

THE HILLS HAVE EYES (Anchor Bay): Another much-needed restoration, courtesy of Anchor Bay. Wes Craven's rabid, full-throttle assault on American family values is still one hell of a ride, and anyone who's suffered through scratched-to-hell theatrical prints and lackluster video copies will be amazed at this DVD. Thankfully the film still looks a little rough around the edges as any '70s 16mm film should; a perfect example of how grindhouse aesthetics can still thrive in the digital age. A whole disc of amazing extra goodies, too.

THE HONEYMOON KILLERS (Criterion): The other end of the Criterion spectrum. The ultimate killer couple movie gets the prestige treatment and still hasn't lost any of its bite. Darkly funny, brutally violent, and sinfully entertaining, this perfectly acted and directed gem deserves more than its enduring midnight movie status. Special kudos for one of the best text supplements ever put on DVD, an illustrated history of the real criminals who inspired this one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

IMAGES (MGM): Robert Altman's chilling psychological horror cult favorite languished in some video netherworld for decades before its unlikely rescue from MGM, who outfitted this stylish chiller with some nice bonus features. Amazing scope photography from Vilmos Zsigmond, a fragile-as-porcelain performance from Susannah York, and John Williams' creepiest score make this a must for the cultured horror fan.

MONDO CANE COLLECTION (Blue Underground): Bill Lustig and company singlehandedly overhauled international film history with this sprawling video chronicle of Gualtiero Jacopetti and Franco Prosperi, two documentary filmmakers who pioneered a film genre and blurred the line between art films and tasteless trash. Grotesque, pandering, heartfelt, challenging, and infuriating barely describe the films on view, but the only word for this collection is "exemplary." The great feature-length documentary would be enough, but also included are two wholly different Italian cuts for Africa: Blood and Guts and Goodbye Uncle Tom which reveal a completely different experience, never before beheld by most trash-loving eyes.

SCRAPBOOK (Sub Rosa): They're tougher to find since the rise of Blockbuster, but extreme horror films with great acting and writing are still out there. Case in point: this take-no-prisoners tale of a woman and her serial killer captor, told with an unflinching eye for detail and one of the horror genre's best female performances in recent memory. Definitely not for all tastes, but this is the subgenre's most important addition since Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer.

NEKROMANTIK 2 (Barrel): This seriously nasty sequel combining gorehound excess with Euro arthouse pretension is still a tough nut to crack, but Barrel's lavish DVD makes it easier for viewers with a surprisingly rich transfer and a bounty of fluid-soaked extras. More audacious and ambitious than its predecessor, this tale of a love triangle in which not all of the participants are still alive is guaranteed to clear a room at your next family reunion.

LEE WILLIAMS

THE BLOODY JUDGE (Blue Underground): It was a huge year for Jess Franco fans and this was Blue Underground’s most significant contribution. The longest, most colorful and best of all versions of this Witch Hunt gem, the DVD is overflowing with worthwhile extras and informative Tim Lucas penned liner notes.

BLUE SUNSHINE (Synapse): Synapse Films gives Jeff Lieberman’s LSD freakfest the kind of attention it always deserved with this shining double platter release. There’s some brilliant stuff here outside the movie, including the cool Lieberman short film “The Ringer” and a full soundtrack CD. Nice one, Don!

DEATH BED: THE BED THAT EATS (Cult Epics): What in the world? Thank you Cult Epics for rescuing this “lost” gem from the celluloid scrapheap--a truly beautiful and lyrical slice of bygone era regional American Horror. Even better, this film has a great dark sense of humor.

DORIANA GREY (VIP): One of Franco’s best gets a face slappingly pristine restoration by Erwin Dietrich. The quality of the transfer on this thing is enough to make you weep!

EMMANUELLE IN AMERICA (Blue Underground): The filthiest of all “Emmanuelle/Emanuelle” movies--and arguably the most entertaining. Presented here fully uncut and lovingly remastered, to a standard that I’m sure surpasses any original theatrical screenings.

MONDO CANE COLLECTION (Blue Underground): This jawdropping eight-disc set--I know, I’m still trying to comprehend its size too--floored me the moment it arrived in my hands. Everyone responsible for its existence should be beyond proud with the end result. If you’re reading this and don’t own a copy yet, what the hell’s wrong with you?

ROSSA VENEZIA (X-RATED): The most underrated of all Germany’s neo-horror’n’sex filmmakers, Andreas Bethmann, here gives the world what it’s always needed--a 155 minute genuine Porno-Giallo, complete with cameos by Jess Franco and Lina Romay--don’t worry, they keep their clothes on! Released as part of a huge--I mean it, the box is like 2ft. by 1ft.--four-disc set, you get a XXX t-shirt, a plot-less hardcore version of the movie, a plot-only version of the movie, a disc of extras and the full blown 155 minute hardcore’n’all version. Fantastic!!!

SEVEN WOMEN FOR SATAN (Mondo Macabro): This sadist Euro-Sex creation completely blind-sighted me, packed to the rafters with *cough*cough* arousing scenes of Sadean nakedness and pumping Prog-Rock, what’s not to like? Mondo Macabro does it again!

A VIRGIN AMONG THE LIVING DEAD (Image): Yep, another Franco makes my list--I said it was a great year. This time it’s a Franco approved version of his magnificent and thoughtful ode to death and dying. The film has never looked better and once again Tim Lucas provides some appropriate and informative background info.

WOMEN IN CELLBLOCK 9 (VIP): Franco piles on more bare-ass and perversion than you can imagine in this, one of his meanest and nastiest Women-In-Prison flicks. Again, this was restored to a ridiculous level by Erwin Dietrich and the folks at VIP.

HONORABLE MENTIONS
ALUCARDA (Mondo Macabro)
ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (Image)
BABA YAGA (Blue Underground)
BLOODLETTING (Tempe)
BONE (Blue Underground)
BRUTES AND SAVAGES (Synapse)
CAPTAIN KRONOS, VAMPIRE HUNTER (Paramount)
THE CHEERLEADER COLLECTION (Anchor Bay)
DAY OF THE DEAD (Anchor Bay)
DEAD AND BURIED (Blue Underground)
DEATH WALKS AT MIDNIGHT (Mondo Macabro) (UK)
THE EMMANUELLE COLLECTION (Anchor Bay)
ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK (MGM)
FASSBINDER'S BRD TRILOGY (Criterion)
GOD TOLD ME TO (Blue Underground)
HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS (Chimera)
THE LIVING CORPSE (Mondo Macabro)
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (Extended Edition) (New Line)
THE MEATRACK/STICKS AND STONES (Image/Something Weird)
NAKED LUNCH (Criterion)
OLGA'S HOUSE OF SHAME / OLGA'S DANCE HALL GIRLS / WHITE SLAVES OF CHINATOWN (Something Weird/Image)
THE OMEGA MAN (Warner)
Q THE WINGED SERPENT (Blue Underground)
REVENGE OF THE NINJA (MGM)
THE ROMAN POLANSKI COLLECTION (Anchor Bay) (UK)
SALON KITTY (Blue Underground)
SCARFACE (tricked-out, ghetto fabulous imitation red-satin and money-clip boxed-set version only) (Universal)
SNUFF (Blue Underground)
SPACE IS THE PLACE (Plexifilm)
THE SPAGHETTI WESTERN COLLECTION (Blue Underground)
THE TENANT (Paramount)
THE THIRSTY DEAD / SWAMP OF THE RAVENS (Something Weird/Image)
VAMPYRES (Blue Underground)
YOKAI MONSTERS trilogy (AD Vision)