Blu-ray Review: SAMURAI AVENGER: THE BLIND WOLF (2009)

SAMURAI AVENGER:  THE BLIND WOLF
Directed by:  Kurando Mitsutake
Distributed by Synapse Films / CAV Distributing

  This quite possibly could be the best movie you have never heard of.   I had no idea what to expect going into my viewing of SAMURAI AVENGER:  THE BLIND WOLF.  I had never heard of the film and hadn't read any reviews.  I came away from the viewing blown away at just how good of a movie this is.  In fact, I honestly can't remember the last time I was this entertained by a film. 
  Here is the basic plot synopsis of SAMURAI AVENGER courtesy of the Synapse Films website:

 After losing his eyesight, his wife, and his daughter at the hands of a deranged psychopath, a man is transformed into an unstoppable killing machine hellbent on revenge! Eight years after the massacre of his family, the “Blind Wolf” has returned as a highly trained swordsman ready to seek justice. But he doesn’t know seven deadly (and even undead) assassins have been hired by his sworn enemy to make sure he doesn’t leave town alive!
 Set in nowhere and in no time, SAMURAI AVENGER: THE BLIND WOLF is a bloody sushi-western and a modern day action film with a classic samurai essence.

 Again, I can't remember the last time I had so much fun with a film.   The acting is great on all accounts, the story is simple yet intriguing, and the effects are spectacular!  There is a good mixture of both CG and practical effects on display, including some great gore and blood spray reminiscent of ICHI THE KILLER and other such films.   Everything about this movie is perfect in my eyes.  The music for each scene was spot on, and music is something I don't always notice in a film.  Director and star, Kurando Mitsutake, did an amazing job and I can not wait to see what else he does in the near future!   

  I honestly can't say enough good things about this film.  In fact, me trying to put into words a description of the greatness of this film is a waste of my time and yours.  My review can not do it justice.  This is one you just need to trust me on, and then go out and buy you a copy asap!  You will not be disappointed. 

SAMURAI AVENGER: THE BLIND WOLF is available on Blu-ray now from Synapse Films and CAV Distribution and contains the following special features:

*  Audio Commentary with Director Kurando Mitsutake, Producer Chiaki Yanagimoto and Editor John Migdal
*  Sword Fight Choreography
*  Behind-the-Scenes Featurette
*  Blooper Reel
*  Theatrical Trailer


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray
CLICK HERE to visit the film's official website

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, May 26th, 2015

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that came out today, 5/26:

*  DELIRIUM
*  EMPIRE OF THE ANTS/JAWS OF SATAN Double Feature [Blu-ray]
*  THE FOOD OF THE GODS/FROGS  Double Feature [Blu-ray]
*  ISLAND OF DEATH   [Blu-ray]
*  SEVENTH SON   [DVD & Blu-ray]

Blu-ray Review: ISLAND OF DEATH (1976)

ISLAND OF DEATH
Directed by  Nico Mastorakis
Distributed by Arrow Films / MVD Entertainment

   This might be one of the sleaziest, nastiest, filthiest movies I have ever seen, and I loved every minute of it!  Let's not take too much time thinking about what that says about me, instead lets talk about one of the craziest films to come out of the 1970's, ISLAND OF DEATH.   Here is some plot info from the MVD website:

THE LUCKY ONES GOT THEIR BRAINS BLOWN OUT!! Welcome to Mykonos, the holiday destination of choice for sun, sea and slaughter! From cult director Nico Mastorakis, Island of Death is a travelogue of atrocities with scenes so strong that the British Government was once compelled to ban it as a "video nasty". Arriving on the idyllic Greek island, Christopher and Celia appear to be every inch the perfect, handsome young couple. Little do the welcoming locals realise that they are in fact a pair of murderous degenerates, determined to spread their own particular brand of perversion across the island. DIY crucifixions, opportunistic bestiality, sexual peeing and murder by all conceivable forms ensue - including death by makeshift blowtorch, samurai sword, dump truck and more! Shocking, brutal and totally politically incorrect in its outlook, Island of Death is a gruelling cinematic experience devised by director Mastorakis to out-do the excesses of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which he was hugely inspired by. Now fully uncut and newly-restored from the original negative, fans can enjoy Island of Death in all its sleazy, lurid glory.

  This film has been hard to find on DVD lately, only being available in an out of print DVD from Image Entertainment. Luckily, the wonderful folks at Arrow Films have got their hands on this film and have released it as a beautiful Blu-ray/DVD combo pack which is being distributed through MVD Entertainment.  This new 2K restoration of the film is pretty amazing.  From the film quality there is now way you could guess that the film was over 38 years old!  Arrow always does a remarkable job with their releases and this one is no different. 
 
  The film itself is one that is really hard to explain.  The only real story is that a couple go on vacation to a Greek island and then just kill people at random. That's about it!   But, the way they go about it is what makes this movie.  They take pride on killing people in pretty unique ways, many times after just seducing them and/or having sex with them.  To say this is a strange movie would be a remarkable understatement.  

  The movie is very hard to categorize as well.  While it's horror for sure, it has elements of a giallo, exploitation, and sexsploitation film as well.    If you have never had a chance to see this wonderfully messed up film, now is the time to do so with this wonderful Arrow release.

  ISLAND OF DEATH will be released this coming Tuesday, May 26th.   The Blu-ray will be loaded with tons of special features, which include the following:

*  Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, approved by writer-director-producer Nico Mastorakis
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
*  Original Mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Exploring Island of Death – film historian Stephen Thrower on the making of a cult classic
*  Return to Island of Death – Mastorakis returns to the original Mykonos locations
*  Archive interview with Mastorakis
*  Alternative opening titles
*  Island Sounds – five original tracks from the Island of Death soundtrack
*  Original Theatrical Trailer
*  The Films of Nico Mastorakis – four-part documentary charting the director’s filmmaking career [Blu-ray only]
*  Nico Mastorakis Trailer Reel [Blu-ray only]
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
*  Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing by academic and film historian Johnny Walker


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer  (WARNING - Red Band Trailer - Contains Nudity - NSFW)
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, May 19th, 2015

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 5/19:

*  AFTERMATH
*  ALL SINNERS NIGHT
*  AMERICAN POLTERGEIST
*  AWAKE IN THE WOODS
*  AWAKEN THE DEVIL
*  CAMP MASSACRE
*  CREATURE (Peter Benchley)   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  CURSE OF THE WITCHING TREE
*  EVIL EYE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  IT!   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  POLTERGEIST II  [Blu-ray]
*  POLTERGEIST III   [Blu-ray]
*  POLTERGEIST II & III Double Feature  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  RAIDERS OF THE LOST SHARK
*  ROOMATE WANTED
*  SAN ANDREAS QUAKE
*  STIGMATA [Blu-ray]
*  THEY WILL OUTLIVE  US ALL
*  TRANCERS 2  [Blu-ray]
*  A ZOMBIE EXORCISM

DVD Review: FROM ASIA WITH LUST Vol. 1 [CAMP & HITCH-HIKE]

FROM ASIA WITH LUST VOL. 1 [CAMP & HITCH-HIKE]
Directed by Ainosuke Shibata
Distributed by:  Troma Entertainment

  Troma recently released this nice double feature of two Asian rape/revenge films by director Ainosuke Shibata.  The DVD contains the director's two films, CAMP and HITCH-HIKE.   Both films are centered on the theme of the strong female, who is raped and beaten, but comes back to inflict revenge on their predators.   Here are the more formal plot synopsis' from the Troma website:

CAMP: A camping trip will turn into a nightmare for sisters Akane and Kozue when they become trapped by five men who abuse and torture them. Kozue is brutally murdered but her sister manages to escape. Now, with the help of Misaki, a mysterious female vigilante, Akane is ready for her vengeance. And nothing will stop her until her sister's murderers pay for their crime!

HITCHIKE: The brutal Yoshio and his quiet young wife Saeko are on a road trip. Their drive will take a wrong turn when Yoshio decides to pick up a hitch hiker along the way. When the man reveals himself as a deranged bank robber and serial killer, the couple will be forced to cooperate in his getaway. Now it's Saeko s turn to take revenge on the man who drove her through hell!

  I am a huge fan of rape/revenge films.  As hard as it is to watch a woman being abused and raped, the payoff is always good when we get to see our strong female lead rise up and take revenge on those that did here wrong.  I love seeing the bad guys get what's coming to them!  Both of these films have that strong female character that do just that.  

  These films are very similar and star some of the same people. Both contain some great gore, although HITCHIKE relies on some CG gore in some scenes that just doesn't work.  It looks very fake and unrealistic.  Both films are very entertaining, though, with good stories and some great action.    This is a great double feature DVD at a great price, I highly recommend picking this one up.

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

Blu-ray Review: VAMPYROS LESBOS (1971)

VAMPYROS LESBOS
Directed by Jess Franco
Distributed by:  CAV Distribution / Severin Films
  
  I have always been a fan of Jess Franco.  All of his films, weather good or bad, have a certain charm to them.   VAMPYROS LESBOS is no different.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of Severin Films:

From Jess Franco, the filmmaker The Vatican called the most dangerous director in the world , comes the most celebrated movie of his legendary career: Stunning Soledad Miranda stars as a vixen vampire who lures women to a Mediterranean island to satisfy her insatiable lust for female flesh and blood. It s a mind-bending odyssey of surreal erotica and 70s EuroHorror, featuring the psycho-sexadelic soundtrack that remains a global phenomenon. Ewa Strömberg (SHE KILLED IN ECSTASY), Dennis Price (VENUS IN FURS), Paul Muller (NIGHTMARE CASTLE) and Franco himself co-star in this landmark cult classic, now remastered in HD and featuring all-new Extras filmed with the director shortly before his death. Experience Franco’ masterpiece like you’e never seen or heard it before!

  Fans of Exploitation and Sexploitation films are in a treat with this film.  The film has been around for years on DVD, but it has never looked as good as it does here on this new Blu-ray transfer.  Severin always does a remarkable job with it's re-releases, and this one is no different.

  The film itself is pretty tame by today's standards.  In fact, if it weren't for the rampant nudity throughout the film, it would easily be a PG or PG-13 movie at the most.    Maybe it was shocking for back when it first came out, but with no killings really, or even any real gore, the movie is pretty tame. This one is definitely more of a sexploitation film than a true horror film, but still worth checking out  for sure.  One thing this new release has going for it is the packaging.   If you are a sucker for cool packaging/artwork like I am, then you will love Severin's presentation.  The packaging here is very cool and makes this an instant collectors item.

VAMPYROS LESBOS is available now on 2-Disc Collectors Edition Blu-ray, which features a dye cut slip case with newly created cover art by Wes Benscoter.   Special Features include the following:

Disc 1 (Blu-Ray):
*  Newly remastered HD presentation of the feature in its original 1.66:1 aspect ratio
*  “Vampyros Jesus”: Interview featurette with Director Jess Franco
*  “Sublime Soledad”: Interview with Soledad Miranda Historian Amy Brown
*  “Stephen Thrower on Vampyros Lesbos”: Interview with Author of ‘Murderous Passions – The Delirious Cinema Of Jess Franco’
*  “Jess Is Yoda” Clip
*  Alternate German Opening Title Sequence – ‘Dracula’s Heiress’
*  German Trailer

Disc 2 (DVD):
*  "Las Vampiras" – Alternate Spanish Language VHS Version With Optional English Subtitles


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Special Edition Blu-ray

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, May 12th, 2015

Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 5/12
(Click on a title to watch the trailer)

*  THE DROWNSMAN  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  EXTRATERRESTRIAL   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ICETASTROPHE
*  SATAN'S BLADE  [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  THESE FINAL HOURS   [DVD & Blu-ray]

Blu-ray review: SOCIETY (1989)

SOCIETY
Directed by Brian Yuzna
Distributed by Arrow Films / MVD Entertainment Group

  Here is another example of a classic horror film that I have always heard about, but for some reason or another had never seen!  I remember seeing the VHS for SOCIETY back when I worked at a movie rental store, and always told myself I was going to rent it and watch it, but for some reason I never did. I really wished  I would have watched this sooner, because I have been missing out on a perfect 80's horror gem for years now! 
  For those unfamiliar with the film, here is the plot synopsis from the MVD press release:

  Teenager Bill Whitney (Billy Warlock) has always felt like the odd one out in his wealthy, upper-class Beverly Hills family. For some reason, he just doesn't seem to fit in. But his sense of alienation takes a sinister turn when he overhears a surreptitious audio recording of his sister's coming-out party, which seems to implicate his family and others in a bizarre, ritualistic orgy. And then there are the strange things he's been seeing - glimpses of people with their bodies contorted impossibly out of shape... Is Billy going mad or is there something seriously amiss in his neighborhood?

   Packing stomach-churning grue and thought-provoking social commentary in equal measure, Society is a biting horror satire which culminates in one of the most leftfield, gag-inducing "climaxes" in all of horror history - just don't eat beforehand!

  SOCIETY was directed by one of my favorite horror directors, Brian Yuzna. Mr. Yuzna directed some of my favorite horror sequels including BRIDE OF RE-ANIMATOR, BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR, and RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD III.  SOCIETY was actually Mr. Yuzna's directorial debut.    One thing I love about movies from the 80's is their goofiness and their awesome practical effects.  This film has both of those things and is a perfect example if you wanted to show someone what horror movies from the 80's looked like. 

  The movie is a little complicated and I'm still not sure I understand it completely, but that does not keep you from enjoying this film for sure.   The film is about a secret "society" of the rich that feeds on the poor, or at least on those they don't deem as good enough for their society.  When I say "feed on the poor, I mean that literally in this case! What's strange is that in this film, the "society" is pretty much made up of every single person in the town, except for the main character Bill, his best friend Milo, and just a couple of other people.   All of Bill's family is in the "society" and try to get him to join, but he refuses.

  This film has an amazing climax where the secret society comes together in a huge orgy/party that must be seen to be believed.   Here is where the practical effects are really showcased with some excellent gore and body contortions.

  SOCIETY is a must see for horror fans.  The Arrow USA Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will be available 6/9 and will contain the following special features:

*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation

*  Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

*  New Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna

*  Governor Of Society with Brian Yuzna

*  The Masters Of The Hunt with stars Billy Warlock, Devin Devasquez, Ben Meyerson and Tim Bartell

*  The Champions Of The Shunt with FX Artists Screaming Mad George, David Grasso and Nick Benson

*  Screaming Mad George music video

*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork

*  Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to buy the Arrow Blu-ray/DVD combo pack

DVD Review: CRAZY MURDER (2014)

CRAZY MURDER
Directed by Doug Gerber and Caleb Pennypacker
Distributed by Brain Damage Films

  Wow...so I'm not really sure what to say about this one.  This is one of those films that must be seen to be believed.  There is really not much of a plot to speak of, but here is the basic synopsis from the film's press release:

  A homeless man (Kevin Kenny) begins a killing spree on the streets of New York City. Completely deranged and barely aware of his own identity, he makes little attempt at concealing his actions. But in a city with 50,000 homeless citizens our killer finds himself effortlessly camouflaged. 

  Steel yourself for a non-stop onslaught of violence and disgusting imagery.  Blending horror, drama, and black comedy, Crazy Murder is a disaster film at its core -- featuring a tornado of death, a tsunami of blood, and a volcano of feces.

  Again, I'm not really sure what to say here.  This movie is just plain nasty.  Vile is a good word for it.  Some might like that, I'm not really into that for the most part, though.  I will say this, the gore in this film is excellent, including some stabbings that look so real they made me cringe.  The movie basically just follows this mentally disturbed man around as he does gross stuff and kills people.  That's it.  That is all there is, really, in terms of a plot.  Actor Kevin Kenny gives a remarkable performance as the crazy guy/killer.  If you didn't know better, I would have actually thought they just followed a crazy guy around and filmed him, his performance was that believable.  So kudos to Mr. Kenny on such a great performance.

  Like I said, If you are into gross out movies such as the Vomit Gore Trilogy and the August Underground films, you will definitely want to check out this film.   Other more classic/mainstream horror movie fans might need to be cautious going into this one.   I personally think there is something in this film that any horror fan will like, but there are other parts that could be quite a turn off.  Check it out for yourself and see what you think. 

  If you have seen CRAZY MURDER, leave a comment and let me know what you thought.  The DVD is available now from Brain Damage Films.


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the DVD

This week's Horror related DVD/Blu-ray releases: Tuesday, May 5th, 2015

  Here are this week's horror related DVDs and Blu-rays that come out tomorrow, 5/5
(Click on a title to watch the trailer)


*  THE DEMON
*  DUEL  [Blu-ray]
*  LOST RIVER   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  MAD MAX   [Blu-ray]
*  THE PYRAMID   [DVD & Blu-ray]
*  ROAD WARS
*  ZOMBIE KILLERS:  ELEPHANT'S GRAVEYARD   [Blu-ray]

I'm back from TEXAS FRIGHTMARE WEEKEND 2015!!

  As usual, I had an awesome time!  I met some great celebs and saw some great films at the screenings.  I'll get all my pics together soon and do a full report in the next few days.  Until then, if you are new to the 4H blog, welcome!  If you are here because you picked up one of my cards at the TFW event, please leave a comment and let me know!   Thanks!!