4K Ultra HD Review: ALICE, SWEET ALICE (1976)

 ALICE, SWEET ALICE

Directed by:  Alfred Sole

Distributed by:  Arrow Video / MVD Entertainment

 I love an old classic horror film.  I love slasher films.  I really love old classic slasher films that I have never seen before.   That's right, I am confessing that I call myself a horror movie buff, but I have never seen the 1976 film, ALICE, SWEET ALICE.   I have heard of it forever, but for some reason just had never sat down to watch it.  Well, that changed now with Arrow Video's new 4K UHD edition that just came out this week! 

Here is the plot synopsis from the Arrow Films website:

 A young Brooke Shields meets an untimely end in this religious-themed proto slasher par excellence from director Alfred Sole.

 On the day of her first communion, young Karen (Brooke Shields) is savagely murdered by an unknown assailant in a yellow rain mac and creepy translucent mask. But the nightmare is far from over - as the knife-wielding maniac strikes again and again, Karen's bereaved parents are forced to confront the possibility that Karen's wayward sister Alice might be the one behind the mask.

 Bearing influences from the likes of Hitchcock, the then-booming Italian giallo film and more specifically, Nicolas Roeg's Don't Look Now, Alice, Sweet Alice is an absolutely essential - if often overlooked - entry in the canon of 1970s American horror.

 This is a unique film, as it feels like a perfect blend of slasher and giallo films.   It was originally titled COMMUNION, but released theatrically as ALICE, SWEET ALICE.  It was then re-released under the new title, HOLY TERROR to play on the fact that new star Brooke Shields was in the film.   In fact, they even changed the opening credits to give her top billing, even though she was only in the film for about the first 10 minutes!    There is a special feature on this release that shows all three openings on split screen at the same time to compare, which was very interesting. 

 ALICE, SWEET ALICE was more than just a slasher film, as in most slashers you know who is doing the killing.  This movie was a great mystery as well, as we did not know who the killer was until it was reveled.  At least, I didn't figure it until it was reveled, which came as quite a shock to me.  I had a list of 2 or three people I thought it was, but I was very wrong!    

  If you are a fan of Arrow Video, you know that they are one of the best physical media companies around.   They have always been known for great releases with tons of great special features.  This release is no different, and this new 4K UHD version looks and sounds amazing!  It's always so interesting to me that they can make a movie that is almost 50 years old look so crisp and clean, like it was just filmed recently.   If you are fan of slashers, giallos, or just really good murder mysteries, do yourself a favor and check out this new release of ALICE, SWEET ALICE!  

  ALICE, SWEET ALICE is available now from Arrow Video and MVD Entertainment and contains the following special features:

• Brand new 4K restoration by Arrow Films from the original camera negative
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD presentations of three versions via seamless branching: Communion (original), Alice, Sweet Alice (theatrical) and Holy Terror (re-release)
• Original lossless mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary with Richard Harland Smith
• Archival audio commentary with co-writer/director Alfred Sole and editor M. Edward Salier
• First Communion: Alfred Sole Remembers Alice, Sweet Alice - director Alfred Sole looks back on his 1976 classic
• Alice on My Mind - a brand new interview with composer Stephen Lawrence
• In the Name of the Father
• brand new interview with actor Niles McMaster
• Sweet Memories: Dante Tomaselli on Alice, Sweet Alice - filmmaker Dante Tomaselli, cousin of Alfred Sole, discusses his longtime connection to the film
• Lost Childhood: The Locations of Alice, Sweet Alice
• a tour of the original Alice, Sweet Alice shooting locations hosted by author Michael Gingold
• Deleted scenes
• Split-screen version comparison
• Trailer and TV Spot
• Image gallery, including the original screenplay
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx
• Illustrated collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michael Blyth

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K UHD Limited Edition set

GUEST REVIEW: THE WOMAN & OFFSRING [4K UHD Limited Edition]

-------------Review by contributing writer Scott Baker------------------

THE WOMAN

Directed by Lucky McKee

OFFSPRING

Directed by Andrew van den Houten

 When you think about big names in horror fiction, certain names flash into mind: Stephen King, Ramsey Campbell, Clive Barker, H.P. Lovecraft, etc.  But you would be remiss if you did not include Jack Ketchum in that list.  Ketchum wrote some of the most horrific and terrifying novels ever published, and he was a true master of the genre (he passed away in 2018).

 

  Ketchum coordinated with a couple of directors to turn two of his books into movies:  OFFSPRING and THE WOMAN.  (Technically, THE WOMAN was published after the movie was released, but from what I understand Ketchum already had the idea when OFFSPRING was originally published).  Both movies deal with cannibalism and torture, and both have merits…but I must confess I liked THE WOMAN a lot better than OFFSPRING.

 

If you are unfamiliar with either movie, here is the plot synopsis of this set courtesy of Arrow Video:

 Almost a decade after Lucky McKee burst upon the indie horror scene and became a 'Master of Horror' in the making thanks to his directorial debut May, he teamed up with legendary cult author Jack Ketchum for his most shocking and brutal film to date: The Woman, an instant cause célèbre on its Sundance premiere.

The Woman (Pollyanna McIntosh, The Walking Dead) is the last surviving member of a deadly clan of feral cannibals that has roamed the American wilderness for decades. When successful country lawyer Chris Cleek (Sean Bridgers, Room) stumbles upon her whilst hunting in the woods, he decides to capture and "civilize" her with the help of his seemingly perfect all-American family, including his wife Belle (Angela Bettis, May) and daughter Peggy (Lauren Ashley Carter, Darling). The Cleeks will soon learn, however, that hell hath no fury like The Woman scorned...

 Experience McKee and Ketchum's uncompromisingly twisted vision of the dark side of the American family in a definitive edition, including a 4K remaster, a slew of bonus features, and a bonus disc featuring a restoration of its gut-churning 2009 predecessor Offspring, also starring McIntosh.

 

 OFFSPRING is a movie based on his book of the same name.  The book is a follow-up to his controversial debut Off Season, which many critics and reviewers deemed “violent pornography”.  Even so, I am curious as to why the filmmakers decided to make a movie based on the sequel when there was no adaptation for the first one at the time.  I would love to see Off Season translated to the screen.

 

OFFSPRING is a decent film, but it’s a bit confusing to start off (probably because it’s actually a sequel).  The opening scenes use newspaper headlines to sorta build the foundation of the story, which again does help a little bit, but it is still not enough to make a solid start.  The story itself is intriguing enough to warrant attention, and it unfolds at a nice pace within its 79 minute runtime.  Still, I would have liked more clarity as to what was happening and why.

 

 The 4K transfer looks excellent compared to previous versions, and if you don’t believe me there’s a comparison video in the Special Features.  This video runs clips from the movie in both resolutions side-by-side so you can see the difference.  And wow, is there a difference!  The 4K transfer is much more colorful and takes the graininess out of the low-light scenes. 

 

 THE WOMAN is a direct sequel to OFFSPRING and pretty much picks up where its predecessor ends.  This film is much better in my opinion.  It ratchets up the intensity and makes better use of Pollyanna McIntosh’s acting skills.  McIntosh does a superb job of portraying the feral Woman once again, and it’s easy to see why she was selected for the role. 

 

 Like OFFSPRING, the 4K transfer for this film looks great as well.  I had a Blu-ray copy of this film years ago, but I don’t remember what the picture quality was like…it would be interesting to see a side-by-side of it compared with this.

 

 Ketchum set a high standard bar for horror, and both films aim to reach it.  THE WOMAN gets closer to that goal than OFFSPRING, but both films are fun to watch and definitely worth owning.  This Arrow set is a fine addition to any horror fan’s collection, and I feel it would make Jack Ketchum proud.  

THE WOMAN & OFFSRING Box Set is available now and contains the following Special Features:

4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

• 4K restorations of The Woman and Offspring, supervised and approved by Lucky McKee and Andrew van den Houten
• Reversible sleeve featuring newly commissioned artwork for both films by Vanessa McKee
• Illustrated collector's booklet featuring writing by Michael Blyth, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Kevin Kovelant

DISC ONE - THE WOMAN (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

• 4K restoration supervised and approved by Lucky McKee
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with director Lucky McKee, editor Zach Passero, sound designer Andrew Smetek and composer Sean Spillane
• Audio commentary with star Pollyanna McIntosh
• Audio commentary with critic Scott Weinberg
• Archive commentary with director Lucky McKee
• Dad on the Wall, a 75-minute fly-on-the-wall behind-the-scenes documentary filmed by the director's father Mike McKee
• Being Peggy Cleek, an interview with star Lauren Ashley Carter
• Malam Domesticam, an archive making-of featurette
• Meet the Makers, a short featurette on the making of the film
• Deleted scenes
• ¡Mi Burro!, a short film by editor Zach Passero
• "Distracted" music video by Sean Spillane
• Frightfest Total Film Panel Discussion, a 2011 onstage chat about the future of American indie horror at the popular horror film festival, featuring Lucky McKee, Andrew van den Houten, Larry Fessenden, Adam Green, Joe Lynch and Ti West
• Theatrical trailers
• Image galleries

DISC TWO - OFFSPRING (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)

• 4K restoration supervised and approved by Andrew van den Houten
• 4K (2160p) Ultra HD Blu-ray presentation in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible)
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with director/producer Andrew van den Houten and digital colorist Matt McClain
• Archive commentary with writer Jack Ketchum, director/producer Andrew van den Houten and producer/cinematographer William M. Miller
• Interview with Pollyanna McIntosh and Andrew van den Houten
• Fly on the Wall, a behind-the-scenes documentary
• Extended interview with Jack Ketchum
• Restoration comparison
• Audition comparison
• Progeny: The Birth of Offspring, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette including interviews with cast and crew
• First Stolen's Bailout, an archive behind-the-scenes featurette
• Webisodes, short featurettes used to promote the film online
• Archive Easter Eggs
• Theatrical trailer
• Image gallery

CLICK HERE to purchase the 4K Ultra HD limited edition set

Blu-ray Review: BASKET CASE (1982)

BASKET CASE
Written & Directed by  Frank Henenlotter
Distributed by Arrow Video / MVD Entertainment Group

  I always love getting the chance to check out an old classic horror film that I have never seen.  Such was the case when I recently watched the 1982 classic BASKET CASE.   I have always heard of this film, but somehow have managed to have never seen it until now.  

 For those unfamiliar with the film, here is the plot synopsis courtest of MVD Entertainment website:

THE TENANT IN ROOM 7 IS VERY SMALL, VERY TWISTED, AND VERY MAD.

The feature debut of director Frank Henenlotter (Brain Damage, Frankenhooker), 1982's Basket Case is perhaps his most revered - a riotous and blood-spattered midnight movie experience, now immortalized in a lavish new 4K restoration by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).
  Duane Bradley is a pretty ordinary guy. His formerly conjoined twin Belial, on the other hand, is a deformed, fleshy lump whom he carries around in a wicker basket. Arriving in the Big Apple and taking up a room at the seedy Hotel Broslin, the pair set about hunting down and butchering the surgeons responsible for their separation. But tensions flare up when Duane starts spending time with a pretty blonde secretary, and Belial's homicidal tendencies reach bloody new extremes.
  Filmed on a shoestring budget against the backdrop of 1980s New York (where the movie would become a staple of the infamous 42nd Street grindhouse circuit), Basket Case has clawed its way from its humble origins to become one of the most celebrated cult movies of all time.

  First off, I'll start by saying that this movie was just a lot of fun!  It is not a movie to be taken seriously by any means.  It is a campy, gory, and pretty cheesy movie....and I loved every minute of it!   The creature in the basket was very well done.  He is extremely creepy looking and makes some of these most hideous and disturbing screams/sounds I have ever heard!   

  The gore effects were also very well done and, of course, all practical effects since this was made back in the early 80's.   I know I say it often, but practical effects are so much better when it comes to blood and gore.  The CG effects nowadays just doesn't look nearly as realistic as the practical effects do. 

  If you are a fan of campy cinema, you will love this film!  It reminded me of something from Troma films or Full Moon films back in the day.    As always, Arrow has packed this release with tons of amazing special features.  I really enjoyed "In Search of the Hotel Broslin", a short doc where director Henenlotter goes around to find original filming locations from the movie.   Definitely check this one out if you get the chance!

  BASKET CASE is available now on Arrow Blu-ray and contains the following special features:

• Brand new 4K restoration from the original 16mm negative by MoMA

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation

• Original Uncompressed Mono Audio

• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

• Brand new audio commentary with writer/director Frank Henenlotter and star Kevin Van Hentenryck

• Basket Case 3-1/2: An Interview with Duane Bradley - Frank Henenlotter revisits Duane Bradley decades after the events of the original Basket Case

• Seeing Double: The Basket Case Twins - a brand new interview with Florence and Maryellen Schultz, the twin nurses from Basket Case

• Brand new making-of featurette containing new interviews with producer Edgar Ievins, casting person/actress Ilze Balodis, associate producer/effects artist Ugis Nigals and Belial performer Kika Nigals

• Blood, BASKET and Beyond - a brand new interview with actress Beverly Bonner

• Belial Goes to the Drive-In - a brand new interview with film critic Joe Bob Briggs

• Outtakes Featurette

• In Search of the Hotel Broslin - archive location featurette

• Slash of the Knife (1972) - short film by Frank Henenlotter

• Belial's Dream (2017, 5 mins) - brand new Basket Case-inspired animated short by filmmaker Robert Morgan

• Behind-the-scenes of Belial's Dream

• Trailers, TV Spots and Radio Spots

• Extensive Still Galleries

• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sara Deck

FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet with new writing on the film by Michael Gingold

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

 

 

 

Blu-ray Review: THE SLAYER (1982)

THE SLAYER
Written & Directed by  J.S. Cardone
Distributed by Arrow Video / MVD Entertainment Group

 Arrow Video continues to put out some of the best horror releases available.  THE SLAYER is a great film that I had honestly never heard of before.  I love that Arrow is introducing us to some classic, yet lesser known, horror films.  Here is the basic plot of the film courtesy of the MVD website:

  IS IT A NIGHTMARE? OR IS IT... THE SLAYER? One of the most sought-after titles for slasher fans everywhere, The Slayer finally rises from the ashes of obscurity in a brand new 4K transfer courtesy of Arrow Video. Two young couples set off to a secluded island for what promises to be a restful retreat. But the peace is short-lived: as a storm batters the island, troubled artist Kay begins to sense that a malevolent presence is here with them, stalking them at every turn. Is she losing her mind, or are her childhood nightmares of a demonic assailant coming to terrifying life? Previously only available on home video in truncated or full screen versions, The Slayer - whose nightmares-seeping-into-reality theme predates a certain Wes Craven classic by several years - comes lovingly restored from the original negative in a stunning transfer that will be a revelation to fans both old and new.

 I love horror films from the 1980's.  In fact, I think that is the greatest decade for horror films.   Arrow Video has been putting out so many great horror films lately, and the majority have been these great 80's classics, some more obscure than others. 

  This film is one any 80's horror film fan will want to check out.  Now I will admit it is a little slow at the start, but the 2nd half of the film picks up and makes up for the sluggish first half.    The film is set on a remote island which immediately sets up the eerie tone, knowing how secluded the characters are from other people and any possibility of getting help.  Add in the storm that is headed their way and that completes the very creepy tone of the film, and gives us some of the films more atmospheric and dark visuals.

 As with any horror film from the 80's, we get some great jump scares, some great kill scenes and some great gore, all done with practical effects, of course.  Beheadings, pitch-forkings, hangings, etc are all on display in this film.  At times the film almost feels like an arthouse style horror film, something reminiscent of a Jean Rollin or Jess Franco film mixed with a typical 80's slasher.  This is a film very worthy of a watch!  Also, I have to mention the monster/creature that we finally get to see at the end.  It is one of the most terrifying and frightening creatures I have ever seen in a film, yet we only get to see it for a few seconds.  I really wish we would have seen more of this creature throughout the film!

  THE SLAYER is available now from MVD and Arrow Video and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
*  Original Uncompressed Mono Audio
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Brand new interviews with cast and crew
*  Original Theatrical Trailer
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn
*  FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector’s booklet featuring new liner notes by writer Lee Gambin


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the BD/DVD combo

 

 

Blu-ray Review: CHILDREN OF THE CORN (1984)

CHILDREN OF THE CORN
Directed by Fritz Kiersch
Distributed by Arrow Films / MVD Entertainment Group

 I was super excited to hear that CHILDREN OF THE CORN was getting the Arrow Video Blu-ray treatment.  I saw this film about 20 years ago, but hadn't seen it since, so I was looking forward to checking this film out again.  If you're not familiar with the story, here is the basic plot from the MVD website:

   A young couple on a road trip find themselves lost in the back roads of rural Nebraska, eventually winding up in the seemingly abandoned town of Gatlin. But the town is far from empty - as the pair soon discover, it's inhabited by a twisted cult of murderous children thirsty for another blood sacrifice...
  Adapted from King's eponymous short story first published in 1977 and starring Linda Hamilton (The Terminator), Children of the Corn has gone on to spawn one of the most enduring horror franchises of all time.

  Movies featuring creepy kids have always been a favorite of mine. There is just something so creepy about killer kids.  I guess since kids are supposed to be so nice and innocent, that it is extra scary to see them like this.  CHILDREN OF THE CORN is full of creepy kids, and the film starts off with a bang when it shows you the day the kids killed all the adults and took over the town of Gatlin.   This was an extremely disturbing and effective scene, and did a remarkable job of setting the tone for the rest of the film.   The film then jumps to present day when the traveling adults get lost and find themselves in the worst place imaginable,  the town of Gatlin.

  Aside from the opening scene, the film is rather tame, with little gore throughout the rest of the film.  The film maintains it's intensity and sense of terror throughout the film's running time, though.   This is easily one of my favorite Stephen King film adaptations, although I'll be honest....I've never read the short story this film is based on.  Because of that, I can not speak to how well the film matches up with the original story.  On it's own it is an extremely entertaining film that I highly recommend.  
 
  The new Arrow  Blu-ray video quality is amazing.  The 2K restoration is beautiful and looks like it was shot just recently.  It's amazing to think this film is over 30 years old!   This new Blu-ray is a must have in your horror collection!

 CHILDREN OF THE CORN is available now on Blu-ray from Arrow Films and MVD Entertainment and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new 2K restoration from the original camera negative
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
*  Original stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD MA audio options
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Brand new audio commentary with horror journalist Justin Beahm and Children of the Corn historian John Sullivan
*  Audio commentary with director Fritz Kiersch, producer Terrence Kirby and actors John Franklin and Courtney Gains
*  Harvesting Horror - retrospective documentary featuring interviews with Fritz Kiersch, John Franklin and Courtney Gains
*  It Was the Eighties! - an interview with actress Linda Hamilton
*  And a Child Shall Lead Them - a brand new interview with actors Julie Maddalena and John Philbin
*  Field of Nightmares - a brand new interview with writer George Goldsmith
*  Stephen King on a Shoestring - an interview with producer Donald P. Borchers
*  Welcome to Gatlin: The Sights & Sounds of Children of the Corn - interviews with production designer Craig Stearns and composer Jonathan Elias
*  Return to Gatlin - a look back at the iconic filming locations in Iowa with host John Sullivan
*  Cut from the Cornfield - an interview with actor Rich Kleinberg on the infamous 'lost' Blue Man Scene
*  Disciples of the Crow - 1983 short film adaptation of Stephen King's story
*  Storyboard gallery
*  Original theatrical trailer
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
*  FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully illustrated collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by John Sullivan and Lee Gambin 
CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray