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In the mid-1970s, there was a brief trend going on in the film world: the rock opera movie musical. These were films that had a considerable edge to them, that were attempting to tap into the counter culture generation. In 1975 alone, you had both Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Who’s Tommy come out. But even before that, in 1974, Brian De Palma – who was a mere two years away from the game changer that was Carrie – unleashed his rock opera epic into theaters, Phantom of the Paradise.

Phantom follows a composer named Winslow who wrote a cantata about Faust – a story in which someone sells their soul to the devil. In the case of life imitating art, his opus is stolen by a powerful mogul named Swan, leading Winslow to haunt the newly opened Paradise Theater as a Phantom. The film successfully blends the 70’s rock and roll with horror,...

Samm-Art Williams, whose Tony-nominated 1979 play Home is being revived on Broadway this year and whose TV producing credits include Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin and Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper, died peacefully today in Burgaw, North Carolina. He was 78.

His death was announced by family.

Born Samuel Arthur Williams on January 20, 1946, in Philadelphia, Williams was a prolific playwright, screenwriter, actor, and producer.

Performing as Samm Williams, he got his start on the New York stage in the early 1970s, appearing in notable plays such as Black Jesus and, with the New York’s Negro Ensemble Company, Nowhere to Run, Nowhere to Hide and Liberty Calland. By the mid-’70s he began performing in other Off Broadway shows under the name Samm-Art Williams.

By the end of the decade, Williams had made his mark as a stage writer, and is today best known for Home, a drama originally staged by the Negro...

Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Criminal Minds" episode 10 of season 11. The episode is entitled, "Future Perfect," and it turns out that we're going to see some very interesting stuff take place as an UnSub that's obsessed with medical experimentation, becomes the main focus of the Bau's latest hunt, and more! In the new, 10th episode press release: The Bau Searches For An Unsub Who May Be Obsessed With Medical Experimentation, On "Criminal Minds," Wednesday, Dec. 9. Press release number 2: The Bau will search for an UnSub who may be fascinated with medical experimentation. Guest stars feature: Matt Burns (Robert Boles), Mike Dazé (Bryan Davis), Augie Duke (Jill Simmons), Mia Topalian (Andrea Gambrell), Pamela Shaddock (Sgt. Carol Gridley), Bruce Barton (M.E. Kevin Gaylen), Peter Elbling (Harold McDermott), Vaughn Armstrong (Ben Kebler), Nancy Linehan Charles (Eileen Kebler), Jill Remez (Dr. Laura Braga), Alisa Torres (Diane...

Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "NCIS" episode 3 of season 12. The episode is entitled, "So It Goes," and it turns out that we'll see Ducky head on back to London due to some important details of the team's latest case, and more. In the new, 3rd episode press release: Ducky will return home to London after an NCIS case reveals a connection to his estranged childhood best friend. Press release number 2: When an NCIS case reveals a connection to Ducky’s estranged childhood best friend, he and Special Agent Bishop are going to travel to London for interviews with family and co-workers of his friend. While there, Ducky will find himself reminiscing about the choices he made in his past and the subsequent impact they had on his adult life. Adam Campbell guest stars as young Ducky and Alice Krige guest stars as Maggie Clarke,...

Just in time for its 40th year anniversary, Shout Factory has amassed a glorious Blu-ray remastering of Brian De Palma’s 1974 classic, Phantom of the Paradise. A glam-rock musical that’s enjoyed a sizeable cult following after an initial muted theatrical release, it represents the filmmaker’s most enjoyable attempt at comedy in this vintage satire about consumerism vs. creative control.

On the eve of unveiling his glam rock palace The Paradise, cutthroat music mogul Swan is struggling with how to open with just the right song to be performed by doo-wop group the Juicy Fruits (modeled after Sha Na Na). When Swan hears the music of aspiring singer songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finely, a De Palma regular), he decides he wants his music, an epic cantata modernizing Faust, but not the man. After his tunes are stolen, the songwriter tries to barge his way into Swan’s rehearsals but is thrown out,...

I don’t like musicals. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that I hate musicals. Even that one that you think I should see because it just might change my mind, no, I probably hate it. I couldn’t understand why everybody flipped over Repo. I watched it and wanted to turn it off the entire time. I never watched Johnny Depp in Sweeney Todd, I didn’t even bother watching Devil’s Carnival. The extent of my enjoyment of the musical ends in things like South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, Cannibal the Musical, The Wall, and that’s pretty much it. When I saw that Scream Factory were releasing Phantom of the Paradise, I had mixed emotions. I love Scream, so naturally I want to support one of their releases, and I love De Palma, so of course I want to see one...

It’s hard to believe that it’s already August, which means fall (and Halloween!) are just right around the corner. To keep all you genre fans busy in the meantime, there are a couple of classic releases coming this week from Scream Factory, as well as Mike Flanagan’s Oculus.

Spotlight Titles:

Oculus (20th Century Fox, Blu-ray & DVD)

Ten years ago, tragedy struck the Russell family, leaving the lives of teenage siblings Tim and Kaylie forever changed when Tim was convicted of the brutal murder of their parents. Now in his 20s, Tim is newly released from protective custody and only wants to move on with his life; but Kaylie, still haunted by that fateful night, is convinced her parents’ deaths were caused by something else altogether: a malevolent supernatural force­­ unleashed through the Lasser Glass, an antique mirror in their childhood home. Determined to prove Tim’s innocence,...

From a suburban werewolf to a farmer who plants people, Scream Factory will continue to deliver cult horror films to viewers’ doorsteps throughout this Summer of Fear. Those attending Sdcc next week will get a taste of their terror treats firsthand at booth #4248, where a number of Blu-rays will be available, as well a limited edition t-shirt, posters, and an “inside look” panel that will include special announcements and sneak peeks of upcoming Blu-ray releases.

The panel, titled An Inside Look at Shout! Factory, Shout! Kids and Scream Factory, will take place on Friday, July 25th, 2014 at 7pm in Room 23Abc. In addition to exclusive panel announcements, a Comic-Con exclusive blood-red Scream Factory t-shirt will be available at their booth, as well as a free 2014 button pack, collectible keychains, screen wipes, and more. Also available at booth #4248 will be the following batch of Scream Factory Blu-rays, each one coming with...

Scream Factory is just cranking out the classics! Brian De Palma’s cult hit Phantom of the Paradise will be making its American Blu-Ray debut on August 5th and we have all the detailed specs for you down below. While I’m not sure why the second disc isn’t a Blu-Ray, this looks like a great set for fans of the film.

From the Press Release

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song, Score and Adaptation, as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score – Motion Picture, Phantom of the Paradise is the Faustian tale of Swan, (Paul Williams, who also wrote the acclaimed score) an evil record tycoon who is tormented by the disfigured composer Winslow Leach (William Finley, Sisters) he once wronged. Also starring Jessica Harper (Suspiria, Shock Treatment) and Gerrit Graham (Used Cars, Terrorvision), Phantom of the Paradise is a hilarious send-up...

As we learned last year, our friends over at Scream Factory are bringing Brian De Palma's cult classic horror musical Phantom of the Paradise to Blu-ray for the very first time this summer, and on tap for you today are those full release details that you've been waiting for.

From the Press Release

The music made him do it! Phantom of the Paradise, the darkly satirical cult favorite from acclaimed writer and director Brian De Palma (Carrie, Dressed To Kill) will make its American Blu-ray debut as a Collector’s Edition 2-Disc set on August 5th, 2014 from Scream Factory. The new edition of this Academy-Award nominated horror musical classic is packed to the rafters with bonus features, including new interviews with Brian De Palma, Paul Willaims and Tom Burman; new audio commentary with producer Jack Fisk, a new audio commentary with Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham and the Juicy Fruits (Archie Hahn,...

Scream Factory is giving Phantom of the Paradise a Blu-ray release this August and they just revealed an extensive list of bonus features that will please any fan of the 1974 cult classic. Written and directed by Brian De Palma, Phantom of the Paradise stars Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper and features narration by Rod Serling.

“Our 4-month “Summer of Fear” celebration continues by announcing today the final (and stacked) list of extras for one of our titles within it: Brian DePalma’s Phantom Of The Paradise–on Blu-ray for the first time!”

Disc One (Blu-ray):

New Audio Commentary with Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham and the Juicy Fruits (Archie Hahn, Jeffrey Comanor and Harold Oblong aka Peter Eibling) New Audio Commentary with Production Designer Jack Fisk New Interview with director Brian DePalma New Interview with Paul Williams talking about the music of Phantom New Interview with Make-up Effects wizard...

I’ll admit two things. Number one, I’ve never seen Phantom of the Paradise before. I’ve known of its existence, but I have yet to take it in. Number Two, I’m not the worlds biggest musical fan, even when it deals with subject matter that interests me, but I’m willing to give anything a shot. Especially if it’s coming from my favorite Blu-ray label, Scream Factory. The company has announced the extras that will be available on the disc, and they look to be plentiful. I’m looking forward to giving this one a shot when it hits on August 5th. Check out the press release below.

He Sold His Soul for Rock N’ Roll!

Phantom of the Paradise

Cult Favorite Makes its American Blu-ray Debut in

Collector’s Edition 2-Disc Set

August 5th, 2014 from Shout! Factory

The music made him do it! Phantom of the Paradise,...

Stars: Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper, Gerrit Graham, George Memmoli, Archie Hahn, Jeffrey Comanor, Peter Elbling | Written and Directed by Brian De Palma

If I was to confess that I’d not seen Phantom of the Paradise before I was sent the Arrow Video Blu-ray release for review I’m sure there are many out there who haven’t seen it too. For somebody like me though who has an obsession with films I’ve not seen yet (they tend to pray on my mind), I jump at the chance to see films like Phantom of the Paradise – and with this release I’m very glad I did.

Phantom of the Paradise is a rock opera that takes a little dash of Faust, a little Phantom of the Opera and some The Picture of Dorian Gray and creates something pretty spectacular. It tells the tale of Winslow Leach (William Finley...