Film Buff Friday: Flowers In The Attic

Before the Lifetime TV movie...

When her husband dies in a tragic accident, widow Corrine Dollanganger (Victoria Tennant, The Holcroft Covenant) takes her four children to the ancestral family home she fled before they were born. Locked away in the attic by their tyrannical grandmother (Academy Award® winner Louise Fletcher, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest), it falls to older brother and sister Chris (Jeb Stuart Adams, The Goonies) and Cathy (Kristy Swanson, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) to care for their younger siblings. But with their mother growing increasingly distant and erratic and a mysterious sickness taking hold, will any of the Dollanganger children survive to escape the clutches of the house's cruel matriarch? Originally published in 1979, VC Andrews' novel Flowers in the Attic was a smash hit, spawning four sequels and going on to sell over 40 million copies worldwide. With undercurrents of incest and child abuse and a haunting score by Christopher Young (Hellraiser), Flowers in the Attic is a dark and chilling Gothic suspense thriller in the classic tradition.

Bonus Materials

• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original lossless 2.0 stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• New audio commentary by Kat Ellinger, author and editor-in-chief of Diabolique Magazine
• Home Sweet Home: Filming Flowers in the Attic, a new interview with cinematographer Frank Byers
• Fear & Wonder: Designing Flowers in the Attic, a new interview with production designer John Muto
• The Devil’s Spawn: Playing Flowers in the Attic, a new interview with actor Jeb Stuart Adams
• Shattered Innocence: Composing Flowers in the Attic, a new interview with composer Christopher Young
• Production gallery of behind-the-scenes images, illustrations and storyboards
• The original, studio-vetoed ending
• The revised ending with commentary by replacement director Tony Kayden
• Original theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Haunt Love

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/s/AV227

Film Buff Friday: Man Of A Thousand Faces

A thousand faces?! Wow! Most people only have two...

One screen legend pays homage to another in Man of a Thousand Faces, an enthralling biopic which sees Oscar-winning tough guy James Cagney give a multifaceted portrayal of silent cinema legend Lon Chaney. In early horror classics such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame and The Phantom of The Opera, Lon Chaney captivated audiences with his vivid personifications of grotesque and afflicted characters. His extraordinary make-up skills, and miraculous ability to completely transform into grisly yet sympathetic and tragic monsters, garnered him international acclaim and the famous moniker of this film's title. Yet, despite his talent and success, Chaney led a life plagued by hardship and heartache. This insightful film-portrait traces the trajectory of the actor's career: from impoverished vaudeville clown to Hollywood stardom, whilst also capturing the drama that surrounded his private life. The film is presented here for the first time in dazzling High Definition, with a selection of revealing extras.

Bonus Materials

• Brand new restoration from the original negative by Arrow Films
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Uncompressed Mono 1.0 PCM audio soundtrack
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• New audio commentary by film scholar Tim Lucas
• The Man Behind a Thousand Faces, a newly filmed look at Lon Chaney and his legacy by the critic Kim Newman
• Image gallery
• Original trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham Humphreys
• FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully Illustrated booklet with a newly commissioned essay by Vic Pratt of the BFI

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/s/AA053

Film Buff Friday: An American Werewolf In London

One of my favorite horror films, of all time..."Yes" I saw it when it came out in theaters!

One of the greatest directors of the 1980s, John Landis (The Blues Brothers, Trading Places), expertly combines macabre horror with dark humor in the lycanthropic classic, An American Werewolf in London. American tourists David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) are savaged by an unidentified vicious animal whilst hiking on the Yorkshire Moors. David awakes in a London hospital to find his friend dead and his life in disarray. Retiring to the home of a beautiful nurse (Jenny Agutter, Walkabout) to recuperate, he soon experiences disturbing changes to his mind and body, undergoing a full-moon transformation that will unleash terror on the streets of the capital... An American Werewolf in London had audiences howling with laughter and recoiling in terror upon its cinema release. Landis' film has gone on to become one of the most important horror films of its decade, rightly lauded for its masterful set-pieces, uniquely unsettling atmosphere and Rick Bakers' truly ground-breaking, Oscar-winning special makeup effects. Now restored in 4K, and presented with an abundance of extra features, this big beast of horror can be devoured as never before...

Bonus Materials

• New 2018 4K restoration from the original camera negative supervised by John Landis
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original uncompressed 1.0 mono and optional 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
• Optional subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• New audio commentary by Beware the Moon filmmaker Paul Davis
• Audio Commentary by actors David Naughton and Griffin Dunne
• Mark of The Beast: The Legacy of the Universal Werewolf, newly produced, feature-length documentary by filmmaker Daniel Griffith, featuring interviews with John Landis, David Naughton, Joe Dante and more
• An American Filmmaker in London, a newly filmed interview with John Landis in which he reflects on his time working in Britain and British cinema
• I Think He's a Jew: The Werewolf's Secret, new video essay by filmmaker Jon Spira (Elstree 1976) about how Landis’ film explores Jewish identity
• The Werewolf’s Call, Corin Hardy, director of The Nun, chats with writer Simon Ward about their formative experiences with Landis’ film
• Wares of the Wolf, new featurette in which SFX artist Dan Martin and Tim Lawes of The Prop Store look at some of the original costumes and special effects artefacts from the film
• Beware the Moon, Paul Davis’ acclaimed, feature-length exploration of Landis’ film which boasts extensive cast and crew interviews
• Making An American Werewolf in London, a short archival featurette on the film’s production
• An Interview with John Landis, a lengthy archival interview with the director about the film
• Makeup Artist Rick Baker on An American Werewolf in London, the legendary make-up artist discusses his work on the film
• I Walked with a Werewolf, an archival interview with the make-up artist about Universal horror and its legacy of Wolfman films
• Casting of the Hand, archival footage from Rick Baker's workshop as they cast David Naughton's hand
• Outtakes
• Original trailers, teasers and radio spots
• Extensive image gallery featuring over 200 stills, posters and other ephemera
• Reversible sleeve featuring original poster art and artwork by Graham Humphreys
• Double-sided fold-out poster
• Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions
• Limited 60-page booklet featuring new writing by Travis Crawford and Simon Ward, archival articles and original review

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV226

Saturday Sinema: Hellraiser

I remember when I first saw this...

Stephen King was once famously quoted as saying, "I have seen the future of horror... his name is Clive Barker." That future was realized in 1987 with the release of Barker's directorial debut Hellraiser. Based on his own novella The Hellbound Heart, Barker's Hellraiser sees Larry (Andrew Robinson) and his wife Julia (Clare Higgins) move into their new home, unaware that something evil lurks beneath the floorboards of the dilapidated house - something that wants human blood... Introducing the world to the iconic Pinhead and his sadistic band of Cenobites, Hellraiser became an instant genre classic upon release and remains one of the most frighteningly original visions in horror.

Bonus Materials

• Brand new 2K restoration approved by director of photography Robin Vidgeon
• High Definition Blu-rayTM (1080p) presentation
• Uncompressed PCM Stereo 2.0 and Lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound
• English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with writer-director Clive Barker
• Audio commentary with Barker and actress Ashley Laurence
• Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser – brand new version of the definitive documentary on the making of Hellraiser, featuring interviews with key cast and crew members
• Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser – actor Sean Chapman talks candidly about playing the character of Frank Cotton in Barker’s original
• Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score – ex-Coil member Stephen Thrower on the Hellraiser score that almost was
• Hellraiser: Resurrection – vintage featurette including interviews with Barker, actors Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, special make-up effects artist Bob Keen and others
• Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser
• Original EPK featuring on-set interviews with cast and crew
• Draft Screenplays [BD-ROM content]
• Trailers and TV Spots
• Image Gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx

Order Here: https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV236

Currie & Darling "Do It Again"

Dynamic Duo
Cherie Currie & Brie Darling

CHERIE CURRIE & BRIE DARLING

Release The Kinks Classic “Do It Again” Animated Lyric Video

Grammy Museum Performance Thursday, August 1

New Album “The Motivator” - Out Friday, August 2

Stream "Do It Again"

Album Pre-Order

 Los Angeles-based, female rock icons, Cherie Currie and Brie Darling have released an animated lyric video for their new single, The Kinks classic “Do It Again.”  You can view the video HERE  and also stream “Do It Again” HERE

“Do It Again” along with their covers of The Youngbloods’ "Get Together" and T. Rex’s  "The Motivator" will appear on their debut album, The Motivator which is set for release August 2, 2019 on Blue Élan Records and is available for pre-order.

The Big Takeover says “the chemistry of Currie and Darling is awe inspiring as the vocal gymnastics of both complement each other perfectly,” while Uncut magazine raves “The pick of their three originals is the defiant pop-rock anthem, “This Is Our Time”. “It ain’t over yet, turn up our voices past 10,” sings Currie.  And they have.”  Cherie & Brie recently sat down with the LA Times to discuss the new project.  You can read that interview HERE

and learn more about the new release HERE

Cherie & Brie are also set to perform songs for the very first time from the new album at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 1.  Tickets Available Now.

The Motivator was produced by the six-time Grammy nominated Dave Darling (Brian Setzer, Stray Cats, Janiva Magness, Tom Waits) and features nine classic covers by bands including The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and John Lennon, plus three powerful new originals, “Too Bruised,” “I’m Too Good, That’s Just Too Bad” and the topical “This Is Our Time.”

Guests on the album include a host of family and friends who came in to do backups, including Currie’s sister, actress Sondra Currie, her ex-husband, actor Robert Hays; friends, Susan Olsen of Brady Bunch fame, Leslie Koch Foumberg, and actress/director, Allison Scagliotti. Darling’s brother, Henry Berry is on “He Ain’t Heavy”; and brother Phil Berry does a guitar solo on the Kinks tune “Do it Again” while her sister, Rory Berry Bishop plays drums on Thunderclap Newman’s “Something in the Air.” Patti Quatro—Suzi’s sister and a member of Fanny—plays guitar and sings on “For What It’s Worth.”

The Runaways front-woman and solo artist, Currie, met the Fanny drummer and singer, Darling, in 2017 and immediately connected.  Currie had come in to contribute vocals to Fanny Walked the Earth, a reunion album from the trailblazing Fanny, the first all-female band signed to a major label (Reprise) in 1969.  Though the two musicians were certainly admirers of each other, they had not yet met until that session.  Once connected, the idea to continue collaborating was hatched and soon the idea to record an album was solidified.

It was decided they would record an album of cover songs that resonated with the duo.  The covers chosen mostly share—unintentionally—a socio-political resonance that’s as relevant today as when the songs were written.  “The original album concept was that Brie was going to sing a few, I’d sing a few, and we’d back each other up,” furthers Currie. “But I knew our voices really work well together. On T. Rex’s ‘The Motivator,’ Brie did a great soulful rock scratch vocal but maybe I have more of a tough rock quality to my voice, so I think Dave decided I was going to sing it.  But in my head I heard a duet, me doing the first verse, her on the second verse….and that started the dialog of using our voices together as a concept. Our voices complement each other, so we decided we should share the majority of these songs, because it makes them better.”  Producer Dave Darling says, "It's extremely rare to have two such powerful vocalists in the same band. Cherie's a steam roller and Brie's a flame thrower. That just doesn't happen!"  

Follow Cherie & Brie

Facebook

Instagram - cheriecurrieandbriedarling

Twitter - @CherieandBrie 

"Do It Again"

"Do It Again"
Cherie Currie & Brie Darling

CHERIE CURRIE & BRIE DARLING

Release The Kinks Classic “Do It Again” as Their New Single

 Grammy Museum Performance August 1

New Album “The Motivator” - Out August 2

Stream "Do It Again"

Album Pre-Order

 Los Angeles-based, female rock icons, Cherie Currie and Brie Darling have released their new single, The Kinks classic “Do It Again” today.  You can stream “Do It Again” HERE

“Do It Again” along with their covers of The Youngbloods’ "Get Together" and T. Rex’s  "The Motivator" will appear on their debut album, The Motivator which is set for release August 2, 2019 on Blue Élan Records and is available for pre-order.

Learn more about the new release HERE

Cherie & Brie are also set to perform songs for the very first time from the new album at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday, August 1.  Tickets Available Now.

The Motivator was produced by the six-time Grammy nominated Dave Darling (Brian Setzer, Stray Cats, Janiva Magness, Tom Waits) and features nine classic covers by bands including The Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, and John Lennon, plus three powerful new originals, “Too Bruised,” “I’m Too Good, That’s Just Too Bad” and the topical “This Is Our Time.”

Guests on the album include a host of family and friends who came in to do backups, including Currie’s sister, actress Sondra Currie, her ex-husband, actor Robert Hays; friends, Susan Olsen of Brady Bunch fame, Leslie Koch Foumberg, and actress/director, Allison Scagliotti. Darling’s brother, Henry Berry is on “He Ain’t Heavy”; and brother Phil Berry does a guitar solo on the Kinks tune “Do it Again” while her sister, Rory Berry Bishop plays drums on Thunderclap Newman’s “Something in the Air.” Patti Quatro—Suzi’s sister and a member of Fanny—plays guitar and sings on “For What It’s Worth.”

The Runaways front-woman and solo artist, Currie, met the Fanny drummer and singer, Darling, in 2017 and immediately connected.  Currie had come in to contribute vocals to Fanny Walked the Earth, a reunion album from the trailblazing Fanny, the first all-female band signed to a major label (Reprise) in 1969.  Though the two musicians were certainly admirers of each other, they had not yet met until that session.  Once connected, the idea to continue collaborating was hatched and soon the idea to record an album was solidified.

It was decided they would record an album of cover songs that resonated with the duo.  The covers chosen mostly share—unintentionally—a socio-political resonance that’s as relevant today as when the songs were written.  “The original album concept was that Brie was going to sing a few, I’d sing a few, and we’d back each other up,” furthers Currie. “But I knew our voices really work well together. On T. Rex’s ‘The Motivator,’ Brie did a great soulful rock scratch vocal but maybe I have more of a tough rock quality to my voice, so I think Dave decided I was going to sing it.  But in my head I heard a duet, me doing the first verse, her on the second verse….and that started the dialog of using our voices together as a concept. Our voices complement each other, so we decided we should share the majority of these songs, because it makes them better.”  Producer Dave Darling says, "It's extremely rare to have two such powerful vocalists in the same band. Cherie's a steam roller and Brie's a flame thrower. That just doesn't happen!"  

Follow Cherie & Brie

Facebook

Instagram - cheriecurrieandbriedarling

Twitter - @CherieandBrie 

Celebrating Judy Garland

Celebrate!
Mike Clifford & Judy Garland

June is Pride month, and also happens to be the month that legendary gay icon Judy Garland passed. With the 50th Anniversary of her death arriving on June the 22nd former Teen Idol Mike Clifford decided to cover her signature song "Over The Rainbow" in celebration of her life.

Oh and what a cover it is. Clifford who actually knew Judy (she attended his singing gigs around the Los Angeles area) - Always found her to be kind and supportive of his music career. Of course it was a big deal for Mike that he actually was friends with his idol.

Clifford delivers one of the best vocal performances of his career with his rendition of the song classic from The Wizard of Oz. 

Let your troubles melt like lemon drops and celebrate Judy's life by hitting the video below...

Happy Pride Month! 

Mike on the WWW at:
https://www.facebook.com/MikeCliffordsWonderfulWorld/
https://www.reverbnation.com/mikeclifford6   

Last Christmas...

A Christmas Gift
George Michael

"Last Christmas, I gave you my heart, But the very next day you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears, I'll give it to someone special" Last Christmas, Wham

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale...

OK, it's not a tale, it's the legend of  George Michael who was taken from us on Christmas Day 2016 at 53 years young. 53 is young, I can state that since I am going to be it this Tuesday December 18th 2018. 

Moving forward today I would like to remember George and Wham's Christmas classic Last Christmas. Being that we are in the final countdown (only 9 more days) and such till the hallowed day.

I remember meeting Mr. Michael at the premiere party for the Randal Kleiser gay themed film It's My Party held at the Armand Hammer Museum. While he was not officially out of the closet to the world, he was OOTC to Hollywood as he arrived surrounded by a entourage of hot guys.

George was a effervescent spirit who radiated warmth, light & joy. Much like the season we are in is supposed to. 

Thus today in a holly jolly way, give someone your heart to celebrate the season and George's passion. Remember there are many ways to do that, so just do it! 

Enjoy the Wham Christmas Classic after the jump. Enjoy it and enjoy it now!

George on Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Michael 

Freaky Friday

Look, Up In The Sky...
Tippi Hedren 

Ever wonder what would happen if nature rebelled against you in the form of a docile creature such as a bird? Well I actually don't my sister's parakeet attacked me a few times, so that has been scratched off my bucket list.

This coming Tuesday I will be hitting The Montalban Theater in Hollywood for a retro screening of Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. It has been a long time since I have seen it, like, I believe I saw it when I was in High School. So I don't remember too much about it, other than cute little birdies taking on the demeanor of animals gone wild and that Tippi Hedren was a stalker of sorts.

So in case you haven't guessed it Ornithophobia - fear of birds, is this weeks Freaky Friday inspiration.

Thanks Tippi & Alfred looking forward to revisiting this classic under the stars on the rooftop of The Montalban this Tuesday. I hope there are no birds in sight...Ca ca ca!

The Birds on IMDB:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056869/?ref_=nv_sr_1  

Mike Clifford "The Christmas Song"

Santa's On His Way!
Mike Clifford

"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose..." - The Christmas Song

You've heard it all before, and it's been done many times, many ways, most notably by the late Nat King Cole. Well here it comes again, another rendition of the classic and timeless tune, with a modern twist sung by none other than Mike Clifford of "Close to Cathy" and "What a Wonderful World" fame.

Yes Virginia, Mike Clifford is bringing you his unique take on "The Christmas Song."

Mike is here with ten wishes for humanity, himself and the world this Holiday Season. Are you ready, here comes Santa Mike!

1) Everyone has enough food & shelter

2) All animals in shelters are adopted 

3) Peaceful solutions to world conflict

4) New breakthroughs in medical research

5) I make the charts again

Celebrate!
Mike Clifford & Robert Forrester

6) Every child has at least one Christmas present

7) Celebrations are held with no violence

8) Everyone likes my new Christmas video

9) Frontier Airlines improves it's on time record

10) Everyone gets to have brunch at least once at the fabulous Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO

Enjoy the video after the jump!

Santa Mike is on his way! at:

https://www.reverbnation.com/mikeclifford6
https://www.facebook.com/MikeCliffordsWonderfulWorld/

Film Buff Friday: Hellraiser

Hellraiser

There's a fine line between pleasure and pain, Pinhead!

Hellraiser [Limited Edition Steelbook] (11/14)

Stephen King was once famously quoted as saying, "I have seen the future of horror...his name is Clive Barker." That future was realized in 1987 with the release of Barker's directorial debut

Hellraiser. 

Based on his own novella The Hellbound Heart, Barker's Hellraiser sees Larry (Andrew Robinson) and his wife Julia (Clare Higgins) move into their new home, unaware that something evil lurks beneath the floorboards of the dilapidated house - something that wants human blood... 

Introducing the world to the iconic Pinhead and his sadistic band of Cenobites, Hellraiser became an instant genre classic upon release and remains one of the most frighteningly original visions in horror.

Features

- Limited Edition SteelBook featuring brand new Mondo artwork by Matt Ryan Tobin

- Brand new 2K restoration approved by director of photography Robin Vidgeon

- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation

- Uncompressed PCM Stereo 2.0 and Lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound

- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing

- Audio commentary with writer-director Clive Barker

- Audio commentary with Barker and actress Ashley Laurence

- Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser - brand new version of the definitive documentary on the making of Hellraiser, featuring interviews with key cast and crew members

- Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser - actor Sean Chapman talks candidly about playing the character of Frank Cotton in Barker's original

- Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score - Coil member Stephen Thrower on the Hellraiser score that almost was

- Hellraiser: Resurrection - vintage featurette including interviews with Clive Barker, actors Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, special make-up effects artist Bob Keen and others

- Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser

- Original EPK featuring on-set interviews with cast and crew

- Draft Screenplays [BD-ROM content]

- Trailers and TV Spots

- Image Gallery

- New artwork by Mondo artist Matt Ryan Tobin

Pre-order at MVDshop.com or on Amazon