And To All A Good Night...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the Sorority House, a creature was stirring and it wasn't a mouse...

Merry Black Christmas Minions!

(if you know, you know)

Black Christmas (1974) on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Christmas_(1974_film)

A Simple Plan

SOMETIMES GOOD PEOPLE DO EVIL THINGS.

Working from an Academy Award-nominated screenplay by Scott B. Smith (adapting his own bestselling novel), director Sam Raimi swapped his trademark hyperkinetic horror for stark, bone-chilling tension in the expertly-crafted, critically-acclaimed thriller A Simple Plan.

Hank Mitchell (Bill Paxton) and his wife Sarah (Bridget Fonda) have big dreams and a baby on the way, but are stuck in the small Minnesota town where Hank grew up alongside his sweet but naive brother Jacob (Billy Bob Thornton, Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor). One day while walking in the woods, Hank, Jacob, and Jacob's friend Lou (Brent Briscoe) discover a small plane buried in the snow, with a dead pilot inside... and a duffel bag containing over $4 million in cash. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to grasp the American dream in one fell swoop, if they can just keep it a secret - but Hank soon learns that keeping that secret will come at a terrible cost.

A bleak, heart-stopping morality play with allusions to Macbeth and The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (Raimi's favorite film), A Simple Plan returns in a brand new director-approved 4K remaster accompanied by new and exclusive bonus features.

Media

Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• New 4K remaster from the original negative by Arrow Films, approved by director Sam Raimi
• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentation
• Original DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround audio and optional lossless stereo audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing
• Brand new audio commentary by critics Glenn Kenny and Farran Smith Nehme
• Brand new audio commentary by production designer Patrizia von Brandenstein with filmmaker Justin Beahm
• Of Ice and Men, a newly filmed interview with cinematographer Alar Kivilo
• Standing Her Ground, a newly filmed interview with actor Becky Ann Baker
• Dead of Winter, a newly filmed interview with actor Chelcie Ross
• On-set interviews with Paxton, Thornton, Fonda, Raimi, and producer Jim Jacks
• Behind-the-scenes footage
• Theatrical trailer
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Matt Griffin
• Illustrated collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Bilge Ebiri and an excerpt from the book The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi by John Kenneth Muir

Sales Points

• Double Oscar Nominee from Director Sam Raimi (Spider-Man, Evil Dead, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
• For fans of FARGO, DRIVE, RESERVOIR DOGS, THREE KINGS, and THE TREASURE OF SIERRA MADRE
• 16 Wins and 24 International Nominations
• Widely considered one of the best rural crime films of All-Time
• 90% Tomatometer Score

Order Here -

https://customers.mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV616

Hold Back The Dawn

Let's give them something to talk about...

"When I became fascinated by “old movies” as a young boy, I’d try to see every film I could find featuring movie stars I loved, and that included Olivia de Havilland. In my quest to see more of Ms. de Havilland, I stumbled upon a rarely talked about treasure, “Hold Back the Dawn”. Packed with tantalizing characters, gripping conflicts, dynamic settings, and unexpected twists, I found this forgotten masterpiece so engrossing, it quickly became a favorite and remains a film I love. Wonderfully unique, it doesn't fit exactly into any one genre, for it contains melodrama, comedy, romance, intrigue, suspense, a road trip, and even a car chase perfectly sewn together in a very moving way. It's also a stellar example of how affecting great acting can be." - Jay Jacobson, Jay's Classic Movie Blog

Get the full 411 here -

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/hold-back-the-dawn-1941

Breakfast At Tiffany's

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s” stands as a beloved classic for many reasons. It captured the excitement and glamour of early 1960's New York City chic, made an icon of actress Audrey Hepburn, influenced popular culture and fashion, and contains an immortal theme song. A giant commercial success, it garnered five Academy Award nominations and took home two statues. When I first saw it as a boy, I could sense it was a noteworthy film and even got emotional at the end, though I didn’t exactly know why. I watched it again, and though I liked it, felt I didn’t understand it and brushed it off as one of those classics that just didn’t speak to me. Cut to today, when I rewatched it after years to prepare for this post and had a completely different experience." - Jay Jacobson, Jay's Classic Movie Blog

Hit it after the jump!

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/breakfast-at-tiffany-s-1961

Norma Desmond Says...

Gloria Swanson
as
Norma Desmond

To all you wonderful people out there in the dark...

"And I promise you I'll never desert you again because after 'Salome' we'll make another picture and another picture. You see, this is my life! It always will be! Nothing else! Just us, and the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark!... All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." - Norma Desmond, Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard on Wikipedia -

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

Coming Soon

July 30th, Guy Ritchie’s action/adventure reimagining of The Man from U.N.C.L.E. comes to limited-edition 4K UHD and Blu-ray. Director Ritchie brings his signature style to this big-budget adaptation of the iconic 1960s TV series of the same name. Set at the height of the Cold War, Russia and the US are forced to join forces to stop the rise of a new nuclear superpower, teaming up their best agents – the CIA’s Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and the KGB’s Illya Kuryakin (Armie Hammer). If Solo and Kuryakin can stop trying to kill one another, they might just form an alliance smart enough to stop the supervillain Nazi sympathizers (Elizabeth Debicki and Luca Calvani) from destroying the world. Featuring exotic locales, cracker ack action set pieces, and style to spare, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. is Guy Ritchie at his very best. Featuring an all-star cast that includes Cavill (Man of Steel), Debicki (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2), Calvani, Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina), Jared Harris (Chernobyl), and Hugh Grant (Wonka).  

  

The 4K UHD and Blu-ray special features include a new audio commentary, two new interviews, a featurette on the 1960s TV series, a featurette on director Guy Ritchie, nine archival featurettes, the theatrical trailer, an image gallery, new and archival writings on the films, a double-sided foldout poster, and newly commissioned artwork. 

  

Watch the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzYRlISYE8Y  

Order Here:

https://mvd.cloud/share/sales/20240625123541.html

Crocodile

On July 9th, Synapse Films presents the global debut of Crocodile on Blu-ray, from a new restoration of the original English 35mm camera negative. 

Move aside Jaws. Watch out Godzilla. A gigantic atomic mutant crocodile is on the loose, terrorizing everyone in its wake! When doctors Tony Akom (Nat Puvani) and John Stromm (Min Oo) take their wives on a quiet beach vacation, it quickly turns into a nightmare. The nightmare? Their wives are attacked and killed by a giant crocodile that has mutated from nearby nuclear testing. Out for vengeance, they enlist the help of Tanaka (Manop Asavatep), a local fisherman, and Peter (Robert Chan), a photographer. Will they be able to stop the rampaging village-stomping beast before others are devoured?  

The Blu-ray special features include an audio commentary with the late film historian Lee Gambin, a video interview with original director Won-se Lee, the original theatrical trailer, and deleted and alternate scenes.  

View the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-_LAVTwzxY&t=2s

Pre-order the Blu-ray here: https://a.co/d/5BdHmwl

Deathdream

In honor of its 50th anniversary, director Bob Clark’s Deathdream (aka Dead of Night) makes its world-wide debut on 4K UHD and Remastered Blu-ray on May 21st from a brand new 4K restoration, overflowing with exclusive new and archival extras.  

Charles and Christine (Academy Award® nominees John Marley and Lynn Carlin) receive the tragic news that their son Andy (Richard Backus) has died in Vietnam. As Charles and their daughter (Anya Ormsby) begin to process their grief, Christine refuses to believe her son has been killed. Indeed, when Andy shows up at the front door soon thereafter, the family joyfully welcomes him home and chalks the whole thing up to a clerical error. As the days go by, Andy’s behavior becomes stranger and more erratic and when his true violent nature is revealed, sides are drawn in the family – setting up an unforgettable ending.

Inspired by the W. W. Jacobs short story The Monkey’s Paw, screenwriter Alan Ormsby and director Bob Clark created one of the first Vietnam vet parables, a film that Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called, “a potent and compelling thriller!”  

The 4K UHD and Blu-ray special features include audio commentaries with co producer/director Bob Clark, writer/make-up artist Alan Ormsby, and others; cast and crew retrospective interviews; restored theatrical trailer; extensive still galleries; and more. 

  

Watch the official trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaa4ZH2C-ig&t=6s  

Order Here -

https://mvd.cloud/share/sales/20240419030904.html

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  

Dark Victory

It's another Manic Monday, thus I felt it was a time for tears and Bette Davis. That's correct Minions, Dark Victory is one of the best tearjerkers ever and it stars none other than one of the  most commanding of screen presences Ms. Bette Davis.

At this poing and juncture I am guessing you want to know more? I guessed correctly so why don't I leave you in the expert hands of my buddy Jay Jacobson and his Classic Movie Blog.

Jay knows all about this sort of thing and his plethora of knowledge will enlighten and entertain.

Hit the link to Dark Victory after the jump and be sure to bring plenty of tissue...

https://www.jaysclassicmovieblog.com/post/dark-victory-1939  

Bad Together

Filmmaker Jono Mitchell shares the evolution of a relationship between two seemingly opposite queer friends in Bad Together, his new film releasing to TVOD on December 5 via Dekkoo Films.  Over four years, Robbie (played by Andrés Erickson) and Cameron (played by Queer Niro) learn to accept and love one another and themselves.  “I really wanted to explore the idea that a lot of the expectations we hold for ourselves and others can lead to sadness and conflict,” filmmaker Jono Mitchell explains. “Fundamentally you can connect with a person on the most basic level, but ultimately that connection still needs to be built on mutual expectation.” 

The story begins with Robbie, newly dumped, and in such deep need for companionship that he's willing to embrace the company of anyone who extends a hand.  Enter Cameron, the life of the party who appears to revel in the admiration he receives from others. However, behind the happy go lucky exterior is a man who constantly craves validation and is struggling with finding a clear sense of purpose in his life.

 

Robbie and Cameron are two young men who are desperate to connect with one another but have different ways of achieving the bond.  They each offer their own version of love and affection and as they chase the ideal of what each deems to be true friendship, they create a relationship that may not be healthy for either one of them. 

 

Mitchell explains he was inspired to write the story based on a similar friendship he experienced a few years ago.  “I have an incredible friend who changed my life. He is so special to me, but circumstances within our current stages of life drove us apart,” he recalls. “When everything changed, I had to accept the version of friendship that I idealized didn’t exist anymore. What we became is just as special, but I think I’ll always grieve for what we had.” 

 

Filming for Bad Together took place in Atlanta, Georgia, where Jono Mitchell found the actors who would play Robbie and Cameron. Due to a familiarity with his work, Mitchell didn’t audition Andrés Erickson for the role of Robbie; he offered it to him outright.  For his part, Erickson sees several similarities between himself and the role that he plays in Bad Together.  “Robbie is a caring guy, but like me he has a tendency to overanalyze, and I think we both like to talk things out as opposed to allowing bad feelings to fester.”

 

Where they differ is in their style of communication. “Robbie tends to be petty and more aggressive than I am,” Erickson says.

 

As for his choice of Queer Niro in the role of Cameron, Mitchell explains, “When you’re casting a character who may behave in unlikable ways, it’s important to find an actor who will naturally highlight some of the character’s more likable attributes. Queer Niro’s charm makes it believable that someone like Robbie would look past Cameron’s mistakes and embrace him as a friend.” 

 

 “Cameron is me, just dialed up some notches,” Queer Niro adds, acknowledging that he played the scenes how he would handle the scenarios in real life.  “Cameron is an endearing guy who longs to make something of his life but fears the possible consequences that come from change.”  He hopes viewers will consider Cameron’s conundrum when deciding whether they are Team Robbie or Team Cameron.  “Obviously, Team Cameron is the correct answer,” he laughs.

 

True to character, Andrés Erickson takes a more neutral stance.  “I hope people are reminded to take care of their friendships. People are complicated and they change and letting go can be necessary. It’s sad, but that doesn't always mean it's a bad thing.”

 

He also commends Jono Mitchell on writing a script that focuses on queer friendship. “It's not something we see a lot of in queer cinema.  There's often a tendency to focus on the romantic aspects, when in real life things are much more complex and nuanced.”

 

Filmmaker Jono Mitchell is best known for his work on the Adult Swim digital shows, Dear Jono and Stupid Morning BS.  His most recent works include Courtney Gets Possessed(2023) and Miles from Nowhere (2022).  He hails from Atlanta, Georgia and in 2023, he was named a “2023 Creative to Watch” by the Atlanta Journal Constitution. 

 

Bad Together releases December 5 via Dekkoo Films, a subsidiary of the Dekkoo streaming platform. It will be made available for TVOD rental across numerous platforms including Apple, Amazon, Google, and many others before arriving on the Dekkoo streaming platform in 2024.

 

For more information, visit www.dekkoo.com.

The Girl From Rio

In the tradition of BARBARELLA and DANGER: DIABOLIK comes this swinging '60s action orgy as bisexual super-villain Sumuru launches a diabolical plan to enslave the male species with her army of lusty warrior women. But when Sumuru kidnaps a fugitive American playboy, she crosses a sadistic crime boss and ignites a battle of the sexes that will bring Brazil to its knees in more ways than one.

 Watch trailer »

Order Here - 

https://mvd.cloud/share/sales/20230822101837.html

Carlito's Way

Academy Award winner Al Pacino reunites with his Scarface director Brian De Palma for this tough-minded thriller about a gangster looking for salvation down the mean streets of 1970s New York City. Gangster Carlito Brigante (Pacino) gets released early from prison thanks to the work of his lawyer, Kleinfeld (Sean Penn, Milk). Vowing to go straight, Carlito nonetheless finds dangers waiting for him in the outside world. As Carlito works toward redemption, Kleinfeld sinks into cocaine-fueled corruption. When Kleinfeld crosses the mob, Carlito gets caught in the crossfire and has to face a hard choice: remain loyal to the friend who freed him or protect a new life with the woman he loves (Penelope Ann Miller, The Relic). With enemies closing in from all sides, Carlito must find his way before it's too late. Also starring John Leguizamo (Land of the Dead), Luis Guzmán (Magnolia), and Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings), Carlito's Way has come to be regarded as among De Palma's most accomplished films. A hard-hitting gangster noir laced with romance and melancholy, powerful performances and nail-biting suspense.

Media

 Watch trailer »

Bonus Materials

• 4K DUAL FORMAT LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
• Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Obviously Creative
• Double-sided fold-out poster featuring newly-commissioned artwork by Tom Ralston and Obviously Creative
• Seven double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproductions
• Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Barry Forshaw and original production notes
• DISC ONE: FEATURE (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY)
• 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray (2160p) presentation in High Dynamic Range
• Original stereo, 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and DTS-X audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary by Matt Zoller Seitz, author of The Wes Anderson Collection and The Soprano Sessions
• Brand new audio commentary by Dr. Douglas Keesey, author of Brian De Palma’s Split-Screen: A Life in Film
• DISC TWO: FEATURE AND EXTRAS (BLU-RAY)
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
• Original stereo and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Brand new audio commentary by Matt Zoller Seitz
• Brand new audio commentary by Dr Douglas Keesey
• Carlito and the Judge, a brand new interview with Judge Edwin Torres, author of the novels Carlito’s Way and After Hours on which the screenplay for Carlito’s Way is based
• Cutting Carlito’s Way, a brand new interview with editors Bill Pankow and Kristina Boden
• De Palma’s Way, a brand new appreciation by film critic David Edelstein
• All the Stitches in the World: The Locations of Carlito’s Way, a brand new look at the New York locations of Carlito’s Way and how they look today
• De Palma on Carlito’s Way, an archival interview with director Brian De Palma
• The Making of Carlito’s Way, an archival documentary on the making of the film, produced for the original DVD release
• Deleted Scenes
• Original promotional featurette
• Theatrical teaser and trailer
• Image gallery

Order Here -

https://mvdb2b.com/b2b/s/AV529

Saturday The 14th

Did you know there was a 1981 horror spoof called Saturday The 14th? Well now you do...

Fun Fact: I actually went and saw it at a local dollar theater.

Carry on Minions and Happy Saturday The 14th!!!

Saturday The 14th on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_the_14th