News

Blu-ray.com has announced that Albert Pyun’s 1982 fantasy film The Sword and the Sorcerer is getting a brand new 4K Blu-ray transfer from the British label 101 Films. The movie stars Lee Horsley, Kathleen Beller, Simon MacCorkindale, George Maharis, and Richard Lynch and is scheduled to hit retailers on October 7. Albert Pyun’s 1982 fantasy adventure The Sword and the Sorcerer may not be the most fondly remembered epic of its era, but it was wildly successful. The Sword and the Sorcerer had grossed a spectacular (for the era) $39.1 million, which actually outgrossed Conan the Barbarian in North America by 1 million dollars (at a fraction of the budget).

The description, according to Blu-ray.com reads,

“Meet Talon, a daring mercenary who conquers castles and dungeons alike with his lethal three-bladed sword. But when Talon learns that he is the prince of a kingdom controlled by an evil sorcerer, he is...

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

Matinee 4K Uhd from Shout Select

Shout Select proudly presents Matinee on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on June 25. The 1993 comedy has been newly restored in 4K from the original negative, supervised by director Joe Dante, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos sound.

John Goodman stars as a filmmaker loosely based on B-movie legend William Castle. Cathy Moriarty, Simon Fenton, Omri Katz, Kellie Martin, and Lisa Jakub round out the cast. Charles S. Haas (Gremlins 2: The New Batch) penned the script.

Special features include: a new commentary by film critics Drew McWeeny and Eric Vespe; new interviews with Martin and David Clennon; interviews with Dante, Moriarty, Jakub, production designer Steven Legler, editor Marshall Harvey, and...

Nearly two years have gone by since Scream Factory brought the “nature run amok” cult classic Alligator and its sequel Alligator II: The Mutation to Blu-ray in North America. Now 101 Films’ Black Label are set to Alligator a 4K release in the UK – and since 4K Uhd discs are region free, fans outside the UK will be able to enjoy this release as well! The release date is January 29th, and copies are available for pre-order through the 101 Films website. The Alligator 4K is accompanied by a fresh Blu-ray release of Alligator II: The Mutation, but if you’re outside the UK you might need a region free player to watch that one.

Here’s the information on the release:

101 Films presents cult classic creature feature Alligator (1980) on 4K Uhd, along with the TV cut and 1991 sequel Alligator II: The Mutation (1991) on Blu-ray, title 033 on the 101 Films Black Label.

Filmmaker Tom Gormican discusses his favorite films featuring… Nicolas Cage.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022)

Mandy (2018)

Pig (2021)

A History Of Violence (2005)

Lord of War (2005)

The Weather Man (2005)

Moonstruck (1987) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

Vampire’s Kiss (1988)

Con Air (1997)

Face/Off (1997)

Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Adaptation (2002)

Raising Arizona (1987)

Wild At Heart (1990) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review

The Wizard Of Oz (1939) – John Badham’s trailer commentary

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (1989)

The Wicker Man (1973) – Mick Garris’s trailer commentary

The Wicker Man (2006)

Being John Malkovich (1999) – Marshall Harvey’s trailer commentary

The Family Man (2000)

Joe (2013)

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary

The Rock (1996) – Alex Kirschenbaum’s review

Operation Mad Ball (1957)

Bell, Book and Candle (1958) – Sam Hamm’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Valley Girl (1983) – Karyn Kusama’s trailer commentary, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review...

Hey everyone! We have one last batch of horror and sci-fi home media releases headed our way before the end of the month, and this week’s offerings are massive, with well over 20 titles coming out on 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD this Tuesday alone.

One of my favorite creature features ever is getting some love in HD finally, with Scream Factory’s 4K release of Lewis Teague’s Alligator (and its sequel is headed to Blu-ray this week as well), and the horror comedy Dead Heat is also getting a 4K upgrade. For all you giallo fans out there, Forgotten Gialli: Volume 3 is being released tomorrow and features three more Italian classics genre fans are going to want to own, and Severin Films is keeping busy with a ton of titles this week too: Bloody Pit of Horror, Black Candles, Night of the Demon, and The Halfway House.

Other titles...

On March 15th, Scream Factory will venture into a world of fantasy-fueled frights with the 4K Uhd and Blu-ray combo pack Collector's Edition release of 1982's The Sword and the Sorcerer, and we have a look at the full list of bonus features, including a new audio commentary with director Albert Pyun.

Press Release: On March 15 the cult-favorite The Sword and the Sorcerer will be released on Uhd™ and Blu-ray™ for the first time when Scream Factory releases the 4K Uhdtm + Blu-rayTM combo pack The Sword and the Sorcerer (Collector’s Edition), which is loaded with exciting new extras. Customers ordering from ShoutFactory.com will receive an exclusive 18x24 rolled poster featuring the original theatrical artwork, while supplies last.

Meet Talon, a daring mercenary who conquers castles and dungeons alike with his lethal three-bladed sword. But when Talon learns that he is the prince of a kingdom controlled by an evil sorcerer,...

Our first episode back in the studio! Robert Weide discusses a few of his favorite movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008)

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)

Mother Night (1996)

Woody Allen: A Documentary (2011)

Mort Sahl: The Loyal Opposition (1989)

Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth (1998)

Marx Brothers in a Nutshell (1982)

W.C. Fields: Straight Up (1986)

Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time (2021)

It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) – John Landis’s trailer commentary

Mary Poppins (1964)

The French Connection (1971) – Dennis Lehane’s trailer commentary, Mark Pellington’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing

The Magnificent Seven (1960) – Jesus Treviño’s trailer commentary

The Godfather (1972) – Ernest Dickerson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing

The Exorcist (1973) – Oren Peli’s trailer commentary

Patton (1970) – Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary

Mash (1970)

Short Cuts (1993) – Glenn Erickson’s Criterion Blu-ray review

Lenny...

A special two-part episode. From the movie Werewolves Within, director Josh Ruben discusses a few of his favorite movies. Then, Werewolves Within writer Mishna Wolff plays a game of “find the woman” in some of her favorite movies.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode Josh Ruben:

Werewolves Within (2021)

Werewolves On Wheels (1971) – Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary

Wrath of Man (2021)

Trapped Ashes (2006)

The ’Burbs (1989) – Ti West’s trailer commentary

The Fly (1986)

To My Great Chagrin: The Unbelievable Story of Brother Theodore (2007)

Road To Perdition (2002)

Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye (1985)

Nightmare On Elm Street Part III: Dream Warriors (1987)

Flight of the Navigator (1986)

Grease (1978)

Honey I Blew Up The Kid (1992)

Big Top Pee-Wee (1988)

A History of Violence (2005)

The Dead (1987)

The Peanut Butter Solution (1985)

Irreversible (2002)

Hunter Hunter (2020)

Man Bites Dog (1992)

The Human Centipede: The First Sequence (2009)

A Serbian Film (2010)

Planes Trains And Automobiles (1987)

Lost In Translation (2003)

JFK (1991)

Home Alone (1990)

The Second Civil War (1997) – Glenn...

This week, the gang at How Did This Get Made? covered The Boyfriend School, a 1990 romantic comedy starring Steve Guttenberg, Shelley Long and Jami Gertz. To better understand how (and why) this film got made, I spoke with the film’s editor, Marshall Harvey, and its producer, George Braunstein. Given that George Braunstein hasn’t produced a […]

The post How Did This Get Made: A Conversation With the Producer and Editor of ‘The Boyfriend School’ appeared first on /Film.

"He's a man of peace in a savage land... suburbia." Soon after releasing Matinee on a Collector's Edition Blu-ray, Shout Select will give another Joe Dante film the same royal treatment with their new Blu-ray release of The ’Burbs, and we have a look at the final list of bonus features, including a new interview with Dante himself.

The ’Burbs Collector's Edition Blu-ray will be released on March 20th with a fresh 2K scan of the interpositive, and you can read the full list of special features below. Will you be adding this new release of the beloved Tom Hanks film to your home media collection?

From Shout Select: "We are very excited to annouce the final list of bonus features for The 'Burbs (Colector's Edition)!

Out March 20th, you can pre-order now at: http://bit.ly/BurbsCollector

- New 2017 2K Scan Of The Interpositive

- New Interviews With Director Joe Dante,...

A scary monster movie comes to Key West just as a nuclear crisis breaks out! Joe Dante’s incomparable paean to monster kid culture has finally arrived on Region A Blu-ray, with the great extras we expect from every Dante-involved home video offering. The picture only gets more charming and funny with time, from its great cast of teens to the perfect pitch of John Goodman and Cathy Moriarty’s bigger-than-life characters.

Matinee

Blu-ray

Shout Select

1993 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 99 min. / Street Date January 16, 2018 / 34.93

Starring John Goodman, Cathy Moriarty, Simon Fenton, Omri Katz, Lisa Jakub, Kellie Martin, Jesse Lee, Lucinda Jenney, James Villemaire, Robert Picardo, Jesse White, Dick Miller, John Sayles, David Clennon, Belinda Balaski, Naomi Watts, Robert Cornthwaite, Kevin McCarthy, William Schallert.

Cinematography John Hora

Film Editor Marshall Harvey

Original Music Jerry Goldsmith

Written by Charles S. Haas, story by Haas & Jerico.

Produced by Michael Finnell

Directed by Joe Dante...

John Goodman channels his inner William Castle to put on the ultimate creature feature screening in Joe Dante's Matinee, and ahead of the film's Collector's Edition Blu-ray release from Shout Select in January, the final list of bonus features have been revealed, including a new interview with Dante and much more:

From Shout Select: "We are very happy to announce the final list of bonus features for Matinee (Collector's Edition), out January 9! Pre-order now at: http://bit.ly/2iphWEt

- New "Master of the Matinee" – interview with director Joe Dante

- New "The Leading Lady" – an interview with Cathy Moriarty

- New "MANTastic!" The Making of a Mant

- New "Out of the Bunker" – an interview with actress Lisa Jakub

- New "Making a Monster Theatre" – an interview with production designer Steven Legler

- New "The Monster Mix" - an interview with editor Marshall Harvey

- New "Lights! Camera!

Is satire obsolete? Our appalling present political reality has surpassed some of the wildest jokes in director Joe Dante's 'exaggerated, outrageous' 1997 cable movie. An immigration squabble snowballs until a renegade state governor closes his border and threatens to secede from the Union. It's a 'political idiocy' version of It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World ... and nineteen years later, we're stuck living it. The Second Civil War DVD (2005) HBO Video 1997 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 96 min. / Street Date August 30, 2005 / 14.98 Starring Beau Bridges, Joanna Cassidy, Phil Hartman, James Earl Jones, James Coburn, Dan Hedaya, Elizabeth Peña, Denis Leary, Ron Perlman, Kevin Dunn, Brian Keith, Kevin McCarthy, Dick Miller, William Schallert, Catherine Lloyd Burns, Jerry Hardin, Roger Corman, Rance Howard, Robert Picardo, Alexandra Wilson, Belinda Belaski, Jennifer Carlson, Sean Lawlor. Cinematography Mac Ahlberg Film Editor Marshall Harvey Original Music Hummie Mann Written by Martyn Burke Produced by Guy Riedel Directed by Joe Dante...

As much as I love Lake Placid, I haven’t thought about it for a while. That is, until Scream Factory gave me a reason to think about it, by stuffing their new Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release of the film in my mailbox. I had no idea before sitting down to revisit the film in beautiful high definition that a lot of people seem to consider this a “bad” movie. This is shocking to me. This is one of the most sarcastic movies ever made, and I love every second of it. How can someone sit down to watch a movie that contains Betty White feeding live cows to a giant crocodile, And calling law enforcement agents “cocksuckers”, and not love it? It’s hilarious. This is one of the greatest modern examples of the horror/comedy hybrid. I have no idea how anyone could hate this movie, but you can’t please everyone,...

Scream Factory will give Lake Placid a high definition upgrade in July as part of their “Summer of Fear”. We’ve given you a look at the cover art, but now Scream Factory has officially announced the upcoming Blu-ray release and provided the list of bonus features:

“You’ll never know what bit you… It has existed prehistoric times and was worshipped by ancient cultures. It can kill a man with one crushing bite! This summer, one of the world’s oldest creatures has found a new home. Written by David E. Kelley (Ally Mcbeal, Boston Legal) and directed by Steve Miner (Halloween H20, Friday The 13th Part 2), Lake Placid stars Bill Pullman (Independence Day, The Grudge), Bridget Fonda (Jackie Brown, Point of No Return), Oliver Platt (X-Men: First Class, TV’s Fargo) and Brendan Gleeson (Troy, The Village). Brimming with heart-racing suspense and thrills, this bloody terrifying tale of man vs.

"If I had a dick, this is where I'd tell you to suck it!". That's right, kids! The great Betty White spoke those words way back in 1999 when Lake Placid took a bite out of theatres. The scene still brings a smile to my face, and given the Scream Factory's history, this Blu-ray will, too!

From the Press Release

You’ll never know what bit you… It has existed since prehistoric times and was worshiped by ancient cultures. It can kill a man with one crushing bite! This summer, one of the world’s oldest creatures has found a new home.

Written by David E. Kelley ("Ally McBeal," "Boston Legal") and directed by Steve Miner (Halloween H20, Friday the 13th Part 2), Lake Placid stars Bill Pullman (Independence Day, The Grudge), Bridget Fonda (Jackie Brown, Point of No Return), Oliver Platt (X-Men: First Class, TV’s "Fargo"), and Brendan Gleeson (Troy,...

To Live and Shake and Die in La! concludes at Trailers from Hell, with editor Marshall Harvey introducing Albert Brooks' "Defending Your Life," starring Meryl Streep and Brooks.Albert Brooks’ 1991 dramedy finds Brooks himself as a recently deceased ad executive caught in an otherworldly limbo where he must, literally, defend his life to a heavenly court in order to determine his fate in the afterlife. It’s a terrific premise but the comic possibilities are somewhat deflated by writer/director Brooks’ decision to remake himself into a bona fide romantic leading man. The newly reformed comedian ends up indulging in many of the cliches he usually skewers. With Meryl Streep as Brooks’ celestial sweetheart and the great Rip Torn as his less than angelic attorney.

All This and World War II! kicks off at Trailers from Hell this week, with editor Marshall Harvey introducing George Roy Hill's 1972 adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five."Long considered to be unfilmable, Vonnegut’s time-tripping 1969 novel was tamed for the screen by writer Stephen Geller and director Hill, who captured the essence of the book without being entirely faithful to it. Vonnegut said he would “drool and cackle” each time he watched the film, which he was very pleased with. War weary Pow Billy Pilgrim is buffeted through time, including the bombing of Dresden, as he randomly relives his life as a zoo exhibit on the planet Trafalmador. Is that enough genre switching for you?...

Comedy Classics! week continues at Trailers from Hell with editor Marshall Harvey introducing Preston Sturges' "Unfaithfully Yours," originally conceived in 1932 but not made until after Sturges left Paramount in 1948. Perhaps too black a comedy for its era, Preston Sturges' second effort after his departure from Paramount did not find much favor with audiences and effectively ended his career as an A-list Hollywood director. But subsequent years have proved kind to what was always a clever concept, originally conceived by Sturges in 1932 but summarily rejected for production at the time. Cut from 127 minutes to 105 after previews, its release was delayed due to scandal involving star Rex Harrison. Remade in 1984 by Howard Zieff.

It will never be confused with the groundbreaking "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", but when it comes to a zippy live-action-meets-animation kid flick with plenty of grown-up gags, "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" does not disappoint.

It moves at such a fast pace that small children are sure to feel it's all a bit of a blur, which may not be unintentional. The film is a celebration of the Warner Bros. troupe of anarchic cartoon characters: Irreverence, insanity, insult and insinuation are exactly what that tradition and this release are all about. There's no holiday tie-in, but "Looney Tunes" should make plenty of holiday dough nonetheless.

Director Joe Dante, as buffs well know, was an ideal choice. As the director of "Gremlins", "Innerspace" and "Matinee", Dante knows his subject inside out. The film is filled with human and animated cameos that are both welcome and brief. Happily, the busy and colorful periphery never sidetracks the thrust of screenwriter Larry Doyle's farcical plot.

That plot is carried by four leads (Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck). D.J. Drake (Fraser) is a wannabe stuntman at Warner Bros., the studio at which his father, Damien Drake (Timothy Dalton), is the biggest star. Studio executive Kate Houghton (Elfman) sets the story in motion when she recommends dumping veteran cartoon actor, Daffy Duck. Daffy's longtime rival Bugs Bunny, is bemused by the whole thing (in fact, Bugs pretty much allows Daffy to run with the movie).

Daffy appoints himself D.J.'s sidekick and, after they learn that D.J.'s kidnapped father may be a secret agent, the two head off for Las Vegas. Soon, Kate and Bugs are in pursuit, and the gang encounters Dusty Tails (Heather Locklear), a lustful casino entertainer. D.J. finds himself in the middle of a good old-fashioned barroom brawl, courtesy of Yosemite Sam, and a car chase.

The peripatetic action leads our heroes into various spatial dimensions: a wacky sci-fi lab, headed by kooky scientist Mother (Joan Cusack)

the Louvre in Paris

a Lara Croft-style jungle tomb

even the far reaches of the solar system. Intermittently, Dante cuts to The Chairman (Steve Martin, sending up every mad villain in film history). The Chairman and his council of yes men (including character actor Marc Lawrence in his 71st year in movies) keep constant surveillance on both D.J.'s progress and their own henchmen's torturing of D.J.'s dad.

Blending of animation and live action continues to evolve so that the computer-generated work, visual effects and tech credits overall are impressively seamless, and the cartoonish lighting should enthrall the tykes.

Human performances are, of course, over the top: Martin is fun, if fairly one note, while Fraser scores best as the broadly appealing, yet humble, hunk.

Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Warner Bros. Pictures

A Baltimore/Spring Creek/Goldmann Pictures Production

Credits: Director: Joe Dante

Screenwriter: Larry Doyle

Producers: Paula Weinstein, Bernie Goldmann

Executive Producers: Chris De Faria, Larry Doyle

Director of Photography: Dean Cundey

Production designer: Bill Brzeski

Music: Jerry Goldsmith

Editors: Marshall Harvey, Rick W. Finney

Special effects supervisor: Scott F. Johnston

Cast:

D.J. Drake/Himself/Tazmanian Devil/Tazmanian She-Devil: Brendan Fraser

Kate Houghton: Jenna Elfman

Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck: Joe Alaskey

Mr. Chairman: Steve Martin

Damien Drake: Timothy Dalton

Dusty Tails: Heather Locklear

Mother: Joan Cusack

Mr. Smith: Bill Goldberg

MPAA rating: PG

Running time -- 83 minutes...

It will never be confused with the groundbreaking "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", but when it comes to a zippy live-action-meets-animation kid flick with plenty of grown-up gags, "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" does not disappoint.

It moves at such a fast pace that small children are sure to feel it's all a bit of a blur, which may not be unintentional. The film is a celebration of the Warner Bros. troupe of anarchic cartoon characters: Irreverence, insanity, insult and insinuation are exactly what that tradition and this release are all about. There's no holiday tie-in, but "Looney Tunes" should make plenty of holiday dough nonetheless.

Director Joe Dante, as buffs well know, was an ideal choice. As the director of "Gremlins", "Innerspace" and "Matinee", Dante knows his subject inside out. The film is filled with human and animated cameos that are both welcome and brief. Happily, the busy and colorful periphery never sidetracks the thrust of screenwriter Larry Doyle's farcical plot.

That plot is carried by four leads (Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck). D.J. Drake (Fraser) is a wannabe stuntman at Warner Bros., the studio at which his father, Damien Drake (Timothy Dalton), is the biggest star. Studio executive Kate Houghton (Elfman) sets the story in motion when she recommends dumping veteran cartoon actor, Daffy Duck. Daffy's longtime rival Bugs Bunny, is bemused by the whole thing (in fact, Bugs pretty much allows Daffy to run with the movie).

Daffy appoints himself D.J.'s sidekick and, after they learn that D.J.'s kidnapped father may be a secret agent, the two head off for Las Vegas. Soon, Kate and Bugs are in pursuit, and the gang encounters Dusty Tails (Heather Locklear), a lustful casino entertainer. D.J. finds himself in the middle of a good old-fashioned barroom brawl, courtesy of Yosemite Sam, and a car chase.

The peripatetic action leads our heroes into various spatial dimensions: a wacky sci-fi lab, headed by kooky scientist Mother (Joan Cusack)

the Louvre in Paris

a Lara Croft-style jungle tomb

even the far reaches of the solar system. Intermittently, Dante cuts to The Chairman (Steve Martin, sending up every mad villain in film history). The Chairman and his council of yes men (including character actor Marc Lawrence in his 71st year in movies) keep constant surveillance on both D.J.'s progress and their own henchmen's torturing of D.J.'s dad.

Blending of animation and live action continues to evolve so that the computer-generated work, visual effects and tech credits overall are impressively seamless, and the cartoonish lighting should enthrall the tykes.

Human performances are, of course, over the top: Martin is fun, if fairly one note, while Fraser scores best as the broadly appealing, yet humble, hunk.

Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Warner Bros. Pictures

A Baltimore/Spring Creek/Goldmann Pictures Production

Credits: Director: Joe Dante

Screenwriter: Larry Doyle

Producers: Paula Weinstein, Bernie Goldmann

Executive Producers: Chris De Faria, Larry Doyle

Director of Photography: Dean Cundey

Production designer: Bill Brzeski

Music: Jerry Goldsmith

Editors: Marshall Harvey, Rick W. Finney

Special effects supervisor: Scott F. Johnston

Cast:

D.J. Drake/Himself/Tazmanian Devil/Tazmanian She-Devil: Brendan Fraser

Kate Houghton: Jenna Elfman

Bugs Bunny/Daffy Duck: Joe Alaskey

Mr. Chairman: Steve Martin

Damien Drake: Timothy Dalton

Dusty Tails: Heather Locklear

Mother: Joan Cusack

Mr. Smith: Bill Goldberg

MPAA rating: PG

Running time -- 83 minutes...