Fright
Night: 30th
Anniversary Edition
(1985/Columbia/Sony/Twilight Time Limited Edition Blu-ray)
Picture:
B+ Sound: B+ Extras: B+ Film: A-
The
cult classic Fright
Night
has never looked better as it explodes onto Blu-ray from Twilight
Time in a limited edition pressing of 5,000, is already sold out
online and is even visually an upgrade from their early, more basic
limited edition that ran only 3,000 copies that the company issued a
few years ago. You may be able to get either version off of Amazon,
eBay or other online sources. I can assure you that this edition is
pretty special, as all Twilight Time releases are, and is packed with
new extras and a fully restored picture and sound mix. The disc also
features an excellent insert booklet with cool artwork and production
stills from the film with great linear notes. It's so refreshing to
get a insert in a new Blu-ray release these days!
The
film, though a little dated now and recovering from that so/so remake
a few years back, has incredible special effects and so much charm
that I never tire of watching it. If you haven't seen this film, I
highly suggest you do as it remains one of the most interesting
vampire films ever made. Made before Lost
Boys,
the film has a definitive '80s feel and a story that starts out
similar to Rear
Window with
fun practical effects that still feel menacing and relentless.
For
young Charley Brewster (Chris Sarandon), nothing could be better than
an old horror movie late at night. Two men move in next door, and
for Charley with his horror movie experience, there can be no doubt
that their strange behavior is explained by the fact that they are a
vampire and his undead day guardian. The only one who can help him
hunt them down is a washed-up actor, Peter Vincent, who hosts
Charley's favorite TV show, Fright Night. Vincent doesn't really
believe that vampires exist, but does it for the money...
Directed
by Tom Holland, Fright
Night
stars Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Roddy
McDowall, Stephen Geoffreys, and Jonathan Stark.
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a 2:35 X 1 widescreen aspect ratio and
an English DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless 5.1 track and a English
DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio Stereo lossless track. Comparing the image to
older releases, it's clear that this transfer has more saturated and
brighter colors and a sharper image. Struck from a gorgeous new 4K
master, the transfer is simply stunning - making it feel like a newer
film than what it is.
Expanded
extras include:
Audio
Commentaries
- First
commentary track has filmmaker Tim Sullivan moderating a panel
discussion with writer and director Tom Holland talking and stars
Chris Sarandon and Jonathan Stark. This is followed by another where
Sullivan, this time joined by journalist Jeremy Smith, once again
moderates a lively chat with Holland, William Ragsdale, Stephen
Geoffreys and special-effects artist Randall Cook.
Vintage
EPK -
Nearly
as long as the movie itself, the original EPK piece features various
interviews praising cast & crew, discussion on the film's themes,
a music video along with interviews of the band and lots of
surprisingly amusing BTS footage.
Reunion
Panel (SD, 55 min) - Originally recorded in 2008 during Fear Fest 2,
Tom Holland, Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Stephen Geoffreys,
Amanda Bearse and Jonathan Stark reunite for a Q&A panel
discussion where the group shares memories and laughs.
Choice
Cuts
- Broken
into three sections, this collection of interviews features 'Shock
Till You Drop' contributor Ryan Turek chatting with director and
writer Tom Holland over a variety of aspects of the production,
story, history and anecdotes from the set.
Plus
we get an Isolated
Music Score track, Still Gallery and Trailers.
This
release is a must! Highly recommended even if you own previous
versions!
For
more on this film and its recent remake, visit our review of the
earlier limited edition at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/11380/Fright+Night+3-D+(2011/Touchstone
-
James Harland Lockhart V
www.facebook.com/jhl5films
