Some decent horror offerings this week, and some great animated superhero offerings!! Let’s get to it:
BATMAN: GOTHAM KNIGHT (with “Batman: Black and White” graphic novel DVD) (2008)
Presented in a unique anime-inspired style, this cartoon anthology features six all-new short stories, each penned by a different writer, chronicling the exploits of the Caped Crusader between the live-action feature films “Batman Begins” and 2008’s “The Dark Knight.” Segments include “Working Through Pain,” “Deadshot,” “Field Test,” “In Darkness Dwells,” “The Dark Knight,” and “Have I Got a Story for You.” Two-disc set includes a DVD of the film and of the graphic novel “Batman: Black and White.” 76 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo, German Dolby Digital stereo, Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish, German, Japanese; audio commentary; documentary; featurette; bonus “Batman: The Animated Series” episodes.
Being released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on 8/11/2015
BATMAN: YEAR ONE (with “Batman: Year One” graphic novel DVD) (2011)
Based on Frank Miller’s acclaimed four-part comic book story arc, this feature-length animated tale chronicles the beginning of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne’s career as the Caped Crusader, Lt. James Gordon’s war against the crime and corruption in Gotham City, and the circumstances that led to their long-standing partnership. Ben McKenzie, Bryan Cranston, Eliza Dushku, Katee Sackhoff, Alex Rocco supply voices. Two-disc set includes a DVD of the film and of the graphic novel “Batman: Year One.” 64 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; audio commentary; featurettes; bonus short “Catwoman” (2011); bonus cartoons.
Being released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on 8/11/2015
BLOODY HOMECOMING (2012)/VARSITY BLOOD (2014)
Includes “Bloody Homecoming” and “Varsity Blood.”
Being released on DVD on 8/11/2015
DEAD SILENCE (2007)
The “killer doll” genre gets a jolt from the “Saw” team in this shock-filled and nostalgic creeper. After a ventriloquist’s dummy is anonymously mailed to his home, Jamie (Ryan Kwanten) makes the mistake of leaving the spooky antique alone with his wife. When she is killed, Jamie brings a detective (Donnie Wahlberg) back to his abandoned hometown to learn the devilish truth behind the haunted plaything’s past. Amber Valletta, Bob Gunton co-star. 92 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio, French DTS 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), Spanish; deleted scenes; alternate opening; alternate ending; featurettes; music video.
Being released on Blu-ray on 8/11/2015
HALLOWEEN 3: SEASON OF THE WITCH (1982)
A mad Druidic warlock out for blood vengeance…a twisted plan to give millions of trick-or-treaters their most terrifying Halloween ever thanks to some lethal Halloween masks…and an armada of android assassins. There’s all that and more (but not Michael Myers!) in this horror tale about “the night nobody comes home!” Tom Atkins, Stacy Nelkin, and Dan O’Herlihy star. 99 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English DTS HD mono Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish.
Being released on Blu-ray on 8/11/2015
JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS (with “JLA: Earth 2” graphic novel DVD) (2010)
When a heroic Lex Luthor from a parallel universe seeks help in freeing his Earth from a sinister superpowered cabal known as the Crime Syndicate, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League will battle to save two worlds from their own evil counterparts. This feature-length animated tale includes the voices of William Baldwin, Mark Harmon, Chris Noth, and Gina Torres. Two-disc set includes a DVD of the film and of the graphic novel “JLA: Earth 2.” 75 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; featurettes; bonus short “The Spectre” (2010); bonus “Justice League” episodes; trailers; more.
Being released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on 8/11/2015
JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR (with “Justice League, Vol.1: Origin” graphic novel DVD) (2014)
The 2011 “New 52” reboot arc for DC Comics’ flagship super-team served as the basis for this animated feature, as fledgling heroes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Cyborg, and Shazam reluctantly come to pool their powers to fight a planetary incursion by the extradimensional despot Darkseid. Voice talents include Michelle Monaghan, Alan Tudyk, Sean Astin, and Shemar Moore. Two-disc set includes a DVD of the film and of the graphic novel “Justice League, Vol. 1: Origins.” 79 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio, French Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; featurettes; bonus cartoons; more.
Being released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on 8/11/2015
PATCH TOWN (2014)
Chubby-cheeked, frizzy-haired toy-factory laborer Jon (Rob Ramsay) never gave much deep thought to his dystopian existence, harvesting infants from cabbages so they could be marketed as dolls. When he learns the truth about his own origins, he goes on a dangerous journey to be reunited with his long-lost adoptive mom (Zoie Palmer). Audacious satirical fantasy-adventure co-stars Stephanie Pitsiladis, Julian Richings, Ken Hall. 85 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; bonus short “Patch Town” (2011); featurette; outtakes; theatrical trailer.
Being released on DVD on 8/11/2015
POLTERGEIST ACTIVITY (2015)
Recently widowed, a man (Lee Bane) moves to a remote country farmhouse with his young daughter (Natalie Martins) in tow. They are soon met with strange goings-on inside the house that suggest a haunting, leading the tortured homeowner to hire a retired paranormal investigator to discern the origins of the frightening presence in their midst. Dean Sills, Judith Haley co-star in this spooky outing. 85 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English.
Being released on DVD on 8/11/2015
SPRING (2014; my review)
Backpacking through Europe to escape his recent troubles at home, directionless twentysomething Evan (Lou Taylor Pucci) finds himself smitten by gorgeous genetics student Louise (Nadia Hilker). As the flirtation flowers into a passionate affair, secrets, as they will, come to light…but hers is that she might not be truly human. Remarkable horror-romance mash-up co-stars Francesco Carnelutti, Jeremy Gardner. 109 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Being released on Blu-ray on 8/11/2015
SUPERMAN: DOOMSDAY (with the “Death of Superman” graphic novel DVD) (2007)
Even a Superman can die. This action-packed animated epic chronicles the Man of Steel’s shocking encounter with the intergalactic serial killer known as Doomsday. When the alien behemoth brings his murderous havoc to the streets of Metropolis Superman must make the ultimate sacrifice in order to save the city and the lives of his loved ones. With the voices of Adam Baldwin, Anne Heche, and James Marsters. Two-disc set includes a DVD of the film and of the graphic novel “The Death of Superman.” 75 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English.
Being released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on 8/11/2015
THE MONSTER THAT CHALLENGED THE WORLD (1957)
“Monsters”–plural–would be more accurate, since we’re talking about multiple gigantic, snail-like creatures that have been released from their resting place in the bed of the Salton Sea by seismic activity. Can the U.S. Navy contain the massive mutant mollusks before they devour the populace like escargot? Sci-fi shocker stars Tim Holt, Audrey Dalton, Hans Conried, Max Showalter. 83 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.
Being released on Blu-ray on 8/11/2015
THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS (collector’s edition) (1991)
Wes Craven’s horrific and satiric tale concerns the efforts of a young boy and two hoods who attempt to ransack a mysterious house, but soon discover it’s inhabited by a psychopathic (and slightly Reaganesque) couple and the “guests” they keep locked up in the cellar. Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, Brandon Adams, A.J. Langer, and Ving Rhames star. 102 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English.
Being released on Blu-ray on 8/11/2015
UNFRIENDED (2015)
The cyber-shaming that led to a teen’s suicide comes back to haunt her peers in this unconventional horror story told from the perspective of online video chatting. On the anniversary of the girl’s death, her friends find their gab sessions on the web disrupted by an online user who claims to be their dead classmate; is it an elaborate prank, or a supernatural predator privy to their secrets and hungry for revenge? Heather Sossaman, Matthew Bohrer, and Renee Olstead star. 82 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio; Subtitles: English (SDH). Two-disc set.
Being released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack & on DVD on 8/11/2015
WAR-GODS OF THE DEEP (1965)
Strange thefts and disappearances plaguing an early-20th-century Cornish coastal town lead a pair of adventurers (Tab Hunter, David Tomlinson) to the uncanny cause–an underwater city populated by smugglers and humanoid creatures, and lorded over by an unaging megalomaniac (Vincent Price). Poe-inspired AIP sci-fi shocker co-stars Susan Hart, John Le Mesurier; final feature effort from Jacques Tourneur. AKA: “City In The Sea.” 84 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurette; theatrical trailer.
WONDER WOMAN (with the “Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals” graphic novel DVD) (2009)The lasso-swinging, magic bracelet-wearing super heroine of DC Comics fame takes center stage in this thrilling animated tale. Defying Amazonian law by leaving the remote island of Themyscira to escort crashed fighter pilot Steve Trevor back to civilization, Princess Diana must become the mighty Wonder Woman in order to stop Ares–the angry God of War–from destroying all life on Earth. Features the voices of Keri Russell, Nathan Fillion, Alfred Molina, Rosario Dawson, Virginia Madsen. Two-disc set includes a DVD of the film and of the graphic novel “Wonder Woman: Gods and Mortals.” 74 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; audio commentary; documentaries; featurette; bonus cartoons.
Being released on DVD/Blu-ray combo pack on 8/11/2015
Sta Bloody!!!
Filed under: Breaking News, New Horror Releases, New Posting, Upcoming Releases
