"Raw Meat"

On September 30th, Blue Underground proudly presents the world premiere of the British cannibal classic Raw Meat (AKA Death Line) on 4K UHD + Blu-ray, packed with bonus content. The film is presented in a brand-new 4K restoration from the original uncensored camera negative, with Dolby Vision HDR and a new Dolby Atmos audio mix. The film will also be available on Blu-ray and DVD. 

During a late-night ride on the London Underground, Patricia Wilson (Sharon Gurney, Women in Love) and her boyfriend Alex Campbell (David Ladd, Jonathan Livingston Seagull) find James Manfred, OBE (James Cossins, The Man with the Golden Gun) passed out on the steps to the Russell Square Station. When they fetch a police officer to help, the body disappears. Inspector Calhoun (Donald Pleasence, Halloween) and Detective Sergeant Rogers (Norman Rossington, A Hard Day’s Night) investigate, and it appears the disappearance is tied to the urban legend of workers trapped in a tunnel collapse when the Underground was being built. To survive deep under the streets, the workers reportedly resorted to cannibalism. Are their descendants roaming the Tube still looking for victims?  

The subterranean horror film also stars Hugh Armstrong (The Beastmaster) – in a role originally meant to be played by Marlon Brando - and Christopher Lee (Lord of the Rings). Director Gary Sherman went on to make Dead & Buried, Vice Squad, and Poltergeist III.  

The special features include an audio commentary with co-writer/director Gary Sherman, producer Paul Maslansky, and assistant director Lewis More O’Ferrall; a brand new audio commentary with film historians Nathaniel Thompson and Troy Howarth; Tales From The Tube – an interview with co-writer/director Gary Sherman and executive producers Jay Kanter & Alan Ladd Jr.; From the Depths – an interview with star David Ladd and producer Paul Maslansky; Mind the Doors – an interview with star Hugh Armstrong; trailers; TV spots; radio spots; and a poster & still gallery.  

Raw Meat (AKA Death Line) is available as a Limited Edition 4K UHD + Blu-ray combo, featuring an embossed, foil-highlighted slipcover. Also available separately on Blu-ray and DVD. All three packages include the bonus features. 

Watch the trailer for Raw Meat here: https://youtu.be/0CqHWHkRvI0?si=7joRhiYmuc_ZAJfF

Order Here - 

https://customers.mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/BLU-BD-7103 

"That's A Human Ear"

Kyle MacLachlan
Blue Velvet

I recently rewatched Blue Velvet for the first time since it came out when I was in college. As a person in his 50's I now realize how darkly funny the film is here is an example of this...

"Did You Hear Anything?" "Bits And Pieces"

Jeffrey is seeing Sandy for the first time since what seems like high school. Jeffrey is eager to learn more about the ear he found in the field, and Sandy reveals that her bedroom is right above the office of her detective father. Their banter over this results in some subtle puns which aren't acknowledged in the film may merit a chuckle from the audience.

I know I laughed a lot revisiting this classic!

Blue Velvet on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Velvet_(film)   

The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari

Ever see The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari? Well it's a classic of expressionist cinema and I saw it in college and it was pretty amazing! 

Well now is not only high time you viewed this masterpiece but also get some detailed backgtound and insight into the masterwork it is.

By checking out the write-up about it on my buddy Jay Jacobson's Classic Movie Blog.

Jay has detailed insight and interesting facts and history behind the film in his entertaining and informative piece.

So here we are the first Tusday of April - time to clean out the cabinet...!

Hit Jay's history of this celluloid classic after the jump!!!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/the-cabinet-of-dr-caligari-1920  

Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf?

Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? Is a charming Holiday Film for the whole family...NOT! Having seen this brilliant piece of movie making rest assured you are in for an emotional journey unlike anything you have ever seen before...

"A psychological drama, the likes of which you’ve probably never seen, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (which I’ll call “Virginia Woolf”) follows a pair of married couples from 2 AM until daybreak, beginning as the middle-aged “George” and “Martha” return home a bit drunk from a party. "George" is an associate history professor at a small New England university, and "Martha" is his wife and the daughter of the university’s president. The party was was one of her father’s faculty parties, where “Martha” met and invited a young married couple to come over for drinks because “daddy said to be nice to them”. The young couple is the university's newly arrived handsome biology professor "Nick", and his wife “Honey”, who “Martha” describes as “a mousy little type without any hips or anything”

Click the link below for an in depth perspective on it at my buddy Jay Jacobson's Classic Movie Blog!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/who-s-afraid-of-virginia-woolf-1966

The Way We Were

Today I'm handing this post over to my buddy Jay Jacobson and his classic movie blog. Featured this week is Robert Redford and Barbara Streisand in The Way We Were.

It was named the 6th greatest love story of all time by the American Film Institute. 

Oh, but there's more and Jay knows all. So hit the link to his informative and entertaining write-up about this classic after the jump.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead, jump!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/the-way-we-were-1973   

The Desperate Hours

Director William Wyler (Detective Story, Roman Holiday) pairs up two Hollywood legends - Humphrey Bogart (Casablanca) and Fredric March (The Best Years of Our Lives) - for their only appearance together. The result is an electrifying tour de force pitting two giants of the silver screen against each other. Three escaped cons, led by the ruthless Glenn Griffin (Bogart), force their way into a suburban home, intending to hide out while they await the arrival of an all-important package. But what should have been an overnight stay extends into a protracted hostage situation, pitting Glenn against the embattled family patriarch, Daniel Hilliard (March) - a man with everything to lose. Adapted by Joseph Hayes (The Third Day) from his own novel and stage play and inspired by actual events, The Desperate Hours is a classic tale of suspense from a master filmmaker at the height of his creative powers, now fully restored from the original VistaVision negative.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• Brand new restoration by Arrow Films from a 6K scan of the original VistaVision negative
• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
• Original restored lossless mono audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing on all films
• Brand new audio commentary by film historian Daniel Kremer
• Trouble in Suburbia – brand new appreciation of the film by José Arroyo, Associate Professor in Film and Television Studies at the University of Warwick
• The Lonely Man – brand new visual essay by Eloise Ross, co-curator of the Melbourne Cinémathèque
• Scaled Down and Ratcheted Up – brand new audio interview with Catherine Wyler, daughter of director William Wyler
• Lobby cards gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jennifer Dionisio
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Philip Kemp and Neil Sinyard

Order Here -

https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV533

The Graduate

Here's to you Mrs. Robinson! It's been years since I've seen The Graduate it's time to revisit this classic and see what I missed when I saw it as a younger more inexperienced version of myself.

My only real take away is that I enjoyed it. But much of it went over me head I am sure, life experience Minions it makes a difference.

Thus I headed over to my buddy Jay Jacobson's Classic Movie Blog and filled in a lot of the blanks before I dive in for my second go.

Check out the link below and then go watch The Graduate, there's a reason it still resonates all these years later!!!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/the-graduate-1967

Tubular Bells

Nothing brings to mind horror like Tubular Bells featured in the 1973 classic The Exorcist! 

Mike Oldfield's iconic Tubular Bells took the world by storm in 1973 and continues to sell over 100,000 albums annually, totaling over 17.5 million copies sold worldwide and 18 million streams. The 50th anniversary celebration of his masterpiece continues with this incredible 4K live concert recording with dance and acrobatic feats by the Circa Contemporary Circus at London's infamous Royal Festival Hall in London, with Samuel West as MC.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Track Listing

Disc 1: Tubular Bells Orchestra - Tubular Bells Tubular Bells Orchestra - The Gem Tubular Bells Orchestra - Summit Day Tubular Bells Orchestra - Moonlight Shadow

Bonus Materials

• Includes a bonus feature-length documentary DVD that explores the history and legacy of Tubular Bells, and closely follows the story behind the spectacular new live production as well as a bonus interview with Tubular Bells creator Mike Oldfield and Virgi

Order Here -

https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/CLO3581   

Whatever Happened To Baby Jane?

"A gruesomely fun masterpiece starring two battling Hollywood icons With its over-the-top sensibility and camp, “What Ever Happened to... " - Jay Jacobson

If you haven't seen this one, you should!!! Hit my buddy Jay's expert insights at the link below...Only 13 more days Minions!!!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/what-ever-happened-to-baby-jane-1962

Saturday Sinema: Stagecoach

Hey, Minions I've got something for you to see it's the classic western Stagecoach. It made John Wayne a bonified movie star and put director John Ford on the path to legendary status.

This is a film I have heard of but never seen. However after reading my buddy Jay Jacobson's write-up about it on his classic movie blog I now have plans to see it. 

"Yes" Jay's passion for movies truly shines through on his blog. His knowledge is second to no one. It makes you want to check out these gems in the crown of Hollywood History.

So what are you waiting for??? Here's the link, click it!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/stagecoach-1939   

Film Buff Friday: Metropolis

Now for some Fritz Lang... 

“Metropolis” is one of those prime treasures you don’t want to miss. Colossal sets, groundbreaking special effects, and a literal cast of thousands come together so extraordinarily, that this film contains some of cinema’s most iconic images and perhaps its most astounding use of production design. There is nothing else like “Metropolis” - Jay Jacobson Jay's Classic Movie Blog

Read on Minions by hitting the link below!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/metropolis-1927

Saturday Sinema: To Kill A Mockingbird

With the insanity of book banning back in vogue I wanted to point out there is still a movie version of To Kill A Mockingbird out there that you can see. 

The reason for the banning of the book I am assuming is it shines a light on prejudice and the people who are receiving it are ones who do not deserve it. They are harmless, translation the book is being banned by people who are White Supremacists. 

Moving on, my buddy Jay Jacobson casts his expert eye on TKAM on his Classic Movie Blog.

Cut through the BS at the link below -

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/77-to-kill-a-mockingbird-1962

Film Buff Friday: The Miracle Worker

Being it's the season of miracles I thought we should commemorate it with a movie about that very thing, The Miracle Worker.

This film is based on two real people Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. Helen Keller is famous for her courage in overcoming her handicaps of being blind and deaf and achieving great things. The movie focuses on the time period where Anne Sullivan was employed by Helen's parents to teach her how to do those things.

Helen played by Patty Duke and Anne played by another Anne, Anne Bancroft both went on to win Academy Awards for their roles. Rightfully so their performances are honest and raw.

Wanna know more about this miracle? Click on the link  below to my buddy Jay Jacobson's Classic Movie Blog for his expert musings on it.

Remember miracles happen every day.

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/86-the-miracle-worker-1960

Film Buff Friday: Frankenstein

Frankenstein 

Happy Friday the 13th and such...being that it is such a sacred day for horror fans I thought we should celebrate accordingly with, well, a horror movie. That's correct Minions let us revisit, or visit the classic 1931 Frankenstein starring Boris Karloff.

It's been a while since Me, Myself and I have seen this great piece of cinema and after reading my buddy Jay Jacobson's write up of it on his Classic Movie Blog it makes me think today being what it is, makes perfect timing to kick it with the OG again.

So enjoy your special day horror fans, you know how I will be spending it, join me if you dare by clicking on the link below....Boo!!!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/70-frankenstein-1931  

Film Buff Friday: The Night Of The Hunter

Here's a classic movie that I have yet, but want to see The Night of the Hunter. Described as "A spellbinding, nightmarish, fairytale film like no other" the plot goes something like this:

"A religious fanatic marries a gullible widow whose young children are reluctant to tell him where their real daddy hid the $10,000 he'd stolen in a robbery"

From what this writer hears there's way more to it than that, and it's quite the ride! After reading my buddy Jay Jacobson's write-up on his classic movie blog I must say I'm now all in and am actively seeking out how I can watch this gem.

What's that you say? Oh, of course you get to read what I read that made me so interested in viewing it. All you have to d is click on the link below and enjoy your weekend Minions!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/60-the-night-of-the-hunter-1955  

Saturday Sinema: All About Eve

Here's IMHO is one of the best movies of all time, All About Eve. It's been a while since I have viewed this brilliant piece of cinema but it goes something like this:

"Backstage story revolving around aspiring actress Eve Harrington. Tattered and forlorn, Eve shows up in the dressing room of Broadway mega-star Margo Channing, telling a melancholy life story to Margo and her friends. Margo takes Eve under her wing, and it appears that Eve is a conniver that uses Margo"

This film notably stars the great Bette Davis with an early memorable cameo by Marilyn Monroe.

Let me now leave you in the very capable hands of my buddy Jay Jacobson and his Classic Movie Blog. Hit the link below for all the juicy details about this masterpiece...

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/all-about-eve

Saturday Sinema: A Streetcar Named Desire

Vivien Leigh & Marlon Brando
A Streetcar Named Desire

In case you have not guessed A Streetcar Named Desire is one of my favorite films of all time. I watch it at least once a year, and while there is much to recommend it it does contain one of the most iconic performances ever committed to celluloid of all time: Marlon Brando as Stanley Kowalski.

Want to know more? Well I'm going to hand you over to my expert film buff buddy Jay Jacobson, give a click on the link below and transport yourself over to his classic movie blog. He has facts, opinions and history about this masterpiece based on the classic Tennessee Williams play.

Tell him Michael sent ya!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/31-a-streetcar-named-desire-1951  

Film Buff Friday: Some Like It Hot

Some Like It Hot is one of my favorite movies of all time. So much so that I in fact have the poster above in my home.

Today I am posting a link that my friend Jay Jacobson wrote about this comedy masterpiece (IMHO) which is one of the many films featured on his site Jay's Classic Movie Blog.

In addition to Some Like It Hot you will find other classics such as Rebel Without A Cause and Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca, which are two of my personal faves, plus many more.

Jay not only breaks the movies down he gives you behind the scenes history of the stars and facts of what went into making the film and things that happened during the making of it.

So if you like it classic & hot, click on the link below...🌟

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/32-some-like-it-hot-1959?cid=4d56c486-73a6-4289-a1a5-ea22f2a1dcbf  

Hump Day & Chill

Classic Playgirl
Ernie Langeberg

It's that time of the week again Minions where we take some me time and Hump Day & Chill. One of the things I have always loved about Tye Briggs Favorite Hunks & Other Things is his interviews with men who have graced the pages of Playgirl Magazine.

Tye always manages to provide an interesting, informative and entertaining look into how the male in question ended up being propositioned to take it all off for the publication and their thoughts and feelings about why they did it.

Well for today's Hump Day & Chill fest we have Peter's Story as part of the Classic Playgirl history. Not to give too much away, but his story tells the tale of how a University Psychology class assignment ended up becoming an offer to appear in the magazine.

Even though there are no photos of Peter with his story, there are plenty of other images of man flesh from the Classic Playgirl era, four to be exact, including Ernie Langeberg pictured above.

"Yes" you read that correctly Minions, there are four studs for you to choose from for your Hump Day & Chill enjoyment.

Get to it! Click on the link below, these guys can't Hump Day & Chill alone...

https://favoritehunks.blogspot.com/2020/06/classic-playgirl-peters-story.html

Have A Good Time (But Get Out Alive)

“Few bands offered up material as gritty, rich, and poignant as Pittsburgh’s own The Iron City Houserockers. … [An] epic musical milestone. … Given the current world pandemic, there’s a modern-day relevance to the message of the title track and the album itself. Get Out Alive! has always been a record of hope, home, solidarity, community, strength, and love - themes that are as important today as they were 40 years ago. 5 STARS”

- Goldmine

The physical edition of the greatly expanded 40^th anniversary deluxe reissue of Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive), the sophomore album originally hailed by Rolling Stone as “a new American classic” from beloved Pittsburgh rocker Joe Grushecky and his gritty, blue-collar outfit the Iron City Houserockers, arrives TODAY (June 19) on CD and vinyl amid a mounting new groundswell of attention.

A holy trinity of rock and roll royalty united to help oversee the recording, as Mick Ronson (David Bowie), Ian Hunter (Mott The Hoople) and Steven Van Zandt (Bruce Springsteen, Southside Johnny) combined with co-producers the Slimmer Twins (Steve Popovich Sr. & Marty Mooney) and the Iron City Houserockers to create one of rock’s great lost classics. Their cohesive efforts − as producers, arrangers and players − will finally be rediscovered as an entirely new listening experience on CD and vinyl when Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive) is released by fabled indie label, Cleveland International Records. The remastered two-CD set includes a bonus disc with 16 previously unreleased tracks of demos and other rarities. The new vinyl edition will include a download card of those same 16 tracks to go with a vinyl replica of the original album. The digital package is on sale NOW and streaming here. Order the vinyl and physical CD here. Order the exclusive Iron City Houserockers Bundle Pack at www.clevelandinternational.com.

The presence of Hunter, Ronson and Van Zandt, says the Houston Press, sets “this project apart,” and “gives the whole record a sort of Pittsburgh/New Jersey/London amalgamation vibe.” MediaNews Group called this chapter in Grushecky’s four-decade career “one of his shining moments.”

Little Steven’s Underground Garage celebrated Digital Release Day with a “Coolest Conversations” album spotlight, as Grushecky spoke with the Mighty Manfred on Sirius XM. Ultimate Classic Rock hosted an exclusive Track Premiere of the bonus disc demo version of “Hypnotized (A Work in Progress),” featuring Hunter and Ronson, and called the new release “cool stuff.”

Iron City Houserockers

American Songwriter, in an interview with Grushecky, hails Have A Good Time (But Get Out Alive) as “a forgotten gem of a record, a time capsule of frenetic ‘80s energy and lyrics about home that hit home, performed by the toughest, tightest band from the ‘work hard, play hard’ working-class streets of Pittsburgh." The magazine adds that the bonus disc not only “documents each song's evolution,” but “showcases how Grushecky and the band took it up a notch when the 'record' button was pressed."

Goldmine, in a new five-star review, proclaims the album an “epic musical milestone,” and placed it in the context of the current world pandemic, noting the how “few bands offered up material as gritty, rich, and poignant as Pittsburgh’s own The Iron City Houserockers” and the “modern-day relevance to the message of the title track and the album itself. Get Out Alive! has always been a record of hope, home, solidarity, community, strength, and love - themes that are as important today as they were 40 years ago.”

Adds Midwest Record: “Anyone that wants to rock will salute this. Amazingly heady still after 40 years of sitting in limbo, waiting for the sky to fall.”

Forty years since The Iron City Houserockers’ willingness to let Ronson, Hunter and Van Zandt reshape their initial ideas in the studio proved prophetic, and the songs they recorded for the 1980 release put down roots that stretched far outside of Pittsburgh. Greil Marcus, in The Village Voice, said Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive) was “the strongest album an American band has made this year” and “proves the Iron City Houserockers are the best hard rock band in the country.” All Music Guide marveled at the new album’s power surge, saying the band “landed with the impact of a Louisville slugger connecting with a fastball” and crediting Grushecky for songwriting and lead vocals that “seethe with a furious passion that's never less than convincing. … The total commitment of his performance, delivered with the conviction of a man fighting for his life, brings these stories to vivid, sweaty life.”

Have a Good Time (But Get Out Alive) is listed as one of the top eight Essential Heartland Rock records alongside the likes of Bob Seger's Night Moves, and John Mellencamp's Scarecrow,

and features many of the Houserockers' signature tunes, including "Pumping Iron,” "Junior's Bar," and "Have A Good Time.” During a 1981 live radio concert in Boston, rabid fans can be heard screaming requests for “Pumping Iron,” an anthem Grushecky penned as a tribute to his home city, and which he still usually plays with Bruce Springsteen when they perform together.

As Hunter fondly remembers: “Joe and the Houserockers were and are an actual rock and roll band. So many 'rock and roll' bands are not real − they just look and act like they are − and fool people most of the time. These guys are for real − and what a lovely man Joe is.”

In the liner notes, Grushecky offers a remarkably concise analysis of the record that emerged: “We had great songs and the band was smoking,” he writes. “We all knew something special was happening. The results were a mixture of Pittsburgh rock and roll, Jersey Shore savvy and soul, and English mystic and muscle. Add a dash of Cleveland moxie and an anything goes attitude and a legendary album was born.” 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube