4K Ultra HD Review: UP! (1976) and Blu-Ray Giveaway info!

UP!

Directed by:  Russ Meyer

Distributed by:  Severin Films

  If you are a regular reader of the 4H blog, you have probably seen my reviews for some of Severin Film's new Russ Meyer releases.   

 They recently released VIXEN, SUPERVIXENS, and BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE ULTRA VIXENS.     Well, they are back at it with a couple more Russ Meyer releases with 1965's MOTORPSYCHO and the 1976 film, UP!   Once again Severin Films has done an amazing job releasing these films in both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray editions, which were scanned in 4K from the original negative of the films.  Both films also include new and archival Special Features curated in association with The Russ Meyer Trust. 

 Today's review will be of Russ Meyer's UP!   While it's advertised as an Erotic Comedy,  I feel that is a bit misleading.   First off, it's not really that funny in my opinion.  It is however, shocking and perverse....so naturally, I loved it!  Ha!  This is a weird one for sure, and it won't be for everyone, but if you are a fan of Russ Meyer's other films, you will not be disappointed with this one.   Especially if you liked his VIXEN trilogy, as I found this one fit right in and even had some call backs to those earlier films.   

  Here is the plot synopsis from the Severin Films website:

No fairy tale…this! In 1976, producer/director/cinematographer/editor Russ Meyer delivered his penultimate feature film – co-written by BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS screenwriter and Pulitzer Prize winner Roger Ebert – hailed as “jaw-droppingly perverse” (Entertainment Weekly), “Meyer at his most outrageous” (Images Journal) and “definitely not to be confused with the Pixar cartoon” (The Spinning Image): Welcome to a sex-blasted burg in Northern California where sodomized Führers, ravenous piranha, sapphic ecstasy, murder mystery, Shakespearean appropriation and the remarkable Raven De La Croix collide, with Kitten Natividad – in her RM Productions debut – as The Greek Chorus of it all. Janet Wood (THE CENTERFOLD GIRLS) co-stars in “one of Russ Meyer’s best films” (We Are Movie Geeks). 

  If that plot sounds like a lot going and and kind of confusing, well, it summed up this film pretty well!  I'd be lying if I said I understood exactly what was going on with this film.  It's kind of all over the place, and feels like different movies at different times.  In fact, at one point of the the film it felt like a true horror film, complete with a chainsaw massacre that gets very bloody!   I assume this was put in to capitalize on the success of Tobe Hooper's THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE from just a few years before.  Whatever the reason, I'm glad Mr. Meyer included it, because it was by far my favorite part of the film!     One other note that was like a horror film, was the killing of an Adolf Hitler lookalike in his bubble bath by way of Piranha.   That was a strange sentence to type, but anything you write about this film is going to be strange!   

 While not my favorite of the Russ Meyer films I've reviewed so far, it was quite enjoyable and you probably know what to expect if you are a Russ Meyer fan.   He always has some of the most beautiful actresses, all in various states of undress, in his films.  His films all have a certain charm to them.  You can definitely tell a film directed by Mr. Meyer, as they are very unique!   

 If you are looking for a crazy, sex-filled film...this one will be right UP your alley!   See what I did, there?  Ha!   As with all these 4K releases from Severin lately, they look amazing and the picture is crystal clear with very vibrant colors.  It's very impressive considering how old these films are!

UP! is available now in both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray and contain the following Special Features:

*   Audio Commentary with film historian Elizabeth Purchell

*  No Fairy Tale...This! -  Interview with actress Raven De La Croix

*  Radio Spot

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD 

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

Severin Films was kind enough to send me a Blu-ray copy of UP! to give away to one lucky winner!  Stay tuned to the 4H blog for details posted in the next few days!   Be sure to follow the blog by clicking the FOLLOW button under the "Followers" section on the right side of the screen.   Also, be sure to follow the 4H blog on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter [X], and Slasher!

Blu-ray Review: DINNER WITH LEATHERFACE (2024)

 

DINNER WITH LEATHERFACE

Written & Directed by:  Michael Kallio

Distributed by:  Anchor Bay Entertainment  / MVD Entertainment

  I had the honor of meeting Gunnar Hansen many years ago at Texas Frightmare Weekend, the annual Horror Movie Convention I attend each year in the Dallas area.   He was a very kind, soft spoken man, and I remember thinking how crazy it was that he was the actor that portrayed the character of Leatherface in the 1974 film, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.    He was so kind and polite, and made time for all his fans lined up to see him.   This is a documentary about Mr. Hansen, as told through first hand accounts of actors and crew that worked with him over the years. 

Here is a brief description of the film from IMDb.com:

Documentary about Gunnar Hansen, the actor who portrayed Leatherface in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" (1974). Friends, colleagues, filmmakers, and fellow actors share personal stories and discuss the dichotomy between the maniacal chainsaw-wielding character he played on-screen and the very intelligent, creative, soft-spoken man he actually was in real life.

 I love horror movie documentaries, and this was a great one to get the honor of reviewing.   DINNER WITH LEATHERFACE touches briefly on Mr. Hansen's background with him being born in Reykjavik, Iceland, and then moving to the U.S. at the age of 5.   He went to the University of Texas an majored in English and Mathematics.  He worked as a computer operator right out of college and took the role in THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE just to make some extra money during the summer.   I'm sure he thought he'd go right back to his computer operator job, but little did he know the film would be such a hit and would lead him down the road of movie making!   I often wonder while filming if any of the cast/crew had any idea just what exactly they were creating.   THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is my favorite horror film of all time, and is widely considered one of the best horror films ever made.   It still holds up today, and is just as scary when I watch it now as it was the first time I saw it.   This is undoubtedly largely due to Mr. Hansen's amazing portrayal of Leatherface!

 As I mentioned before, this is basically a set of interviews from some actors and filmmakers that worked directly with Mr. Hansen and they just recount the times they shared with him.  You can tell from all the interviews that he made a deep impact on everyone he worked with.  He was truly loved by all!   

  Interviewees include  Barbara Crampton, Bruce Campbell, Edwin Neal, Kane Hodder, Felissa Rose, Michelle Bauer, Tiffany Shepis, Debbie Rochon, Fred Olen Ray, Betsy Baker, Allen Danziger, Kim Henkel, William Vail, and many more!   

 This was a very touching tribute to Gunner Hansen and is a must see for all his fans!

DINNER WITH LEATHERFACE is available now from Anchor Bay Entertainment and contains the following Special Features:

 *  Audio commentary with writer/director Michael Kallio and editor Josh Wagner

 

 *  Extended Interview with filmmaker and historian MIchael Felsher

 *  Extended interview with fimmaker Jeff Burr

 

 *  Convention Chat with actress Danielle Harris

 

 *  Southern Hospitality Trailer - 2022 Remastered, Recut, HD

 *  Tales of Gunner Hansen

CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-Ray

CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Movie Review: THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES (2025)

 

THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES

Written by:  Charlie Brady & Jason Pitts

Directed by:  Jason Pitts

  Last night, I had the privilege of attending a screening of a new horror feature that was filmed locally here in Northwest Arkansas.   I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting this film to be as good as it was.   Northwest Arkansas actually has quite a large local movie scene,  but we all know how low budget local films can be.   I am happy to say that this did not feel like a low budget film at all.   The movie played out like a much bigger and expensive film than it was.  Local actors and crew came together to film a very interesting and fun horror film!    Here is the basic plot from the Lucid Pictures website:

  Chloe and her step dad, Ken are dealing with the disappearance of Kathy, Chloe’s mother and Ken’s wife. After a painful year, and with the help of Chloe’s friend Ava, they investigate a clue that leads them on a collision course with a dangerous demonic cult. Will they find Kathy? Can Chloe, Ken, and Ava survive the night?

  

 One of the main things I noticed about this film was the acting.  A lot of local films can have everything going for them, but some bad acting can ruin the entire film.   This film was not at risk of that, though, as the acting in this film was top notch.  There was not a bad actor in this film, everyone did a remarkable job!  One role I have to point out was the part of Julian, played by actor Scott Doss.  Mr. Doss was at the screening I attended and I had the pleasure of meeting him.  He was a very kind, soft spoken man which was the exact opposite of his character in this film!  He played the creepy guy character to perfection!  The main character of Chloe was played by Annie Sullivan who also did a remarkable job and is definitely worth a mention.  I could just list everyone in this film, because like I stated before, the entire cast was excellent.

 

   Another thing that can make or break a horror movie is the special effects.   This film did a wonderful job with the effects, a lot of which were practical effects.  There was some CG in this film, but it blended very well most of the time.  There were a few spots where it was very clearly CG, but that is expected with any low budget film.   One practical effect that really stood out to me was a beheading.  This was done so well and was so seamless that it was very realistic!   

 This film had a nice plot twist in it as well, and as we have learned with most horror films, don't trust anyone!  That's all I'll say about that as to not give too much away!  Overall, Director Jason Pitts delivers a home run for his first full length feature film!   

  THE FOREST THROUGH THE TREES is an original, highly entertaining trip through the world of secret societies and cults, and does an excellent job creating a very creepy atmosphere where all is not what is seems!  

 The film was recently picked up for distribution from Bayview Entertainment, so keep an eye out for screenings near you,  and I assume an eventual DVD or Blu-ray release!   I'll make a new post once I have more info on that!