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Category:    Home > Reviews > Science Fiction > Action > Post Apocalyptic > Thriller > Ozplitation > Australia > Horror > Slasher > Psyc > Aftermath (1982/MVD Visual/VCI Blu-ray w/DVD)/Fair Game (1986/Umbrella Region Free Import Blu-ray)/Gruesome Twosome/A Taste Of Blood (1967/MVD Visual/Arrow Blu-ray)/Night Visitor (1971/MVD Visual/VCI

Aftermath (1982/MVD Visual/VCI Blu-ray w/DVD)/Fair Game (1986/Umbrella Region Free Import Blu-ray)/Gruesome Twosome/A Taste Of Blood (1967/MVD Visual/Arrow Blu-ray)/Night Visitor (1971/MVD Visual/VCI Blu-ray)/The Sect (1991/Argento/Music Box Blu-ray)/Scalpel (1977/MVD Visual/Arrow Blu-ray)



Picture: B & C+/B/B/B/B/B+ Sound: B & C+/B/B/B/B/B Extras: C+/B/B/C/C+/B Films: C+/C+/C+ & C/C/C/B



PLEASE NOTE: The Fair Game Import Blu-ray is now only available from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment in Australia, can only play on all Blu-ray players and can be ordered from the link below.



Here's a solid group of new horror/thriller releases you'll want to know about...



The 1982 B-Movie The Aftermath lands on Blu-ray w/DVD thanks to VCI and MVD. Wearing its inspirations proudly (such as Planet of the Apes and others), the low budget film centers around a spaceship and its pilot (played by Steve Barkett, who also directed the film) that returns to Earth, only to find out that the post apocalypse has happened. Now run by mutant cannibals and a evil baddie (played by a young Sid Haig, later of House of 1,000 Corpses fame), its up to the pilot to save the world! The film also stars Lynee Margulies.


There are two versions of the film in this edition, the 1080p Blu-ray disc with a 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and an English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 24-bit) track, both of which update the film to high def in grand fashion. Also included is the standard definition edition on DVD with similar, yet compressed specs, that don't do the film any favors. Despite its low budget, there's a lot of love put into this production that can't help but be admired.


Special Features...


Laserdisc Extras


HD Trailer


Original Soundtrack


Empire of the Dark Promo


While not completely original, there's a lot of fun to be had in this low budget (yet dated) romp.



If you're a fan of Ozploitation and/or Cannon Films, then you won't want to miss Fair Game (1986) - an R-rated cat and mouse thriller that's pretty fun and not for the weak hearted!


Directed by Mario Andreacchio, the film centers around a the lovely Cassandra Delaney, who runs a small petting zoo in the Australian outback. What first starts as a semi-innocent encounter with three kangaroo hunters (Garry Who, David Sanford, and Peter Ford) turns into an all out war. Fighting for her life every step of the way, Casandra teaches these boys that she is one chick not to be messed with!


Restored in 2K 1080p high definition with a 1.78:1 widescreen aspect ratio and a nice sounding English 2.0 DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) lossless audio track, the film looks and sounds better than you might expect on the Blu-ray format. Due to age and condition of the print, some of the colors in certain scenes are a bit more washed out than others but that adds to the experience more than distract.


Special Features include...


Audio Commentary with Director Mario Andreacchio and Writer Rob George


Extended interview with Cassandra Delany from Not Quite Hollywood on location with Fair Game


BTS Featurette


1985 TV Report from NWS9, Action News


Behind The Scenes with Dean Bennett


Trailer/ Image Gallery/ Storyboards


Mario Andreacchio Shorts



A little over the top yet in full canon spirit, feminists should beware of this one as it could upset some, the film looks as good as it can on this nice Umbrella release that's worth tracking down!


(See order link below...)



Two restored horror features from renowned director of Blood Feast, Herschell Gordon Lewis (also known as the Godfather of Gore), are now available in beautiful HD thanks to the good folks at Arrow in a new double feature release.


The Gruesome Twosome


A perverse comedy (and sort of spin on the Sweeney Todd formula), The Gruesome Twosome (1967) is the tale of Mrs. Pringle and her unusual Son who both run a wig shop. The only problem is that Pringle likes human hair for her wigs... and has come up with an elaborate scheme to get them by having her son scalp college girls.


A Taste of Blood


A contemporary Dracula movie, A Taste of Blood (1967) is a fun watch, even if it is a bit dated. Included here as a bonus feature, I think I liked it more than I liked the Gruesome Twosome. A man (William Kerwin) receives a ancient brandy that turns him into a Vampire... the story unfolds as his wife (Elizabeth Lee) starts to get suspicious when he isn't acting the way that he's used to. Then when he up and goes on a trip to London and then things start to really get weird...


Both films are presented in a 2K remaster on 1080p high definition with 1.75:1 aspect ratios and 1.0 Mono mixes. While some scenes have shown a little bit of wear over time, the overall presentation is pretty spot on and impressive for both features. There's no doubt these are the best they are going to look considering their age and budget.


Special Features include...


Introductions to the films by H.G. Lewis


Archive audio commentaries for both films by H.G. Lewis


Peaches Christ Flips Her Wig! - San Francisco performer Peaches Christ on The Gruesome Twosome


It Came from Florida - filmmaker Fred Olen Ray (Scalps, The Alien Dead) on Florida Filmmaking


H.G. Lewis vs. the Censors - H.G. Lewis discusses some of the pitfalls of the blood-and-guts business including local censorship and angry moviegoers


Trailers and radio spot


Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by The Twins of Evil



H.G. Lewis fans will want to pick up this release. Both films are pretty fun to watch and should be on every cult movie fan's list.



Max Von Sydow is a young axe wielding maniac in The Night Visitor (1971), which is a creepy and unsettling family thriller/drama. After escaping from a mental institution after committing murder, he sets out for his sister and her husband whom were responsible for the murder of a farmhand and for his cruel imprisonment in the asylum.


The film also stars Trevor Howard and Liv Ullmann (Sydow's long time co-star in so many a Ingmar Bergmann classic film) and is directed by Laslo Benedek (Death of a Salesman and TV's original The Outer Limits).


Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and a English PCM 2.0 Stereo track, the film looks and sounds fine on Blu-ray disc. Interestingly photographed the film has a cold look with lots of snow and interiors that are nicely saturated then have some darkness to them as well. If you're a fan of the film, it's likely you've never seen it look as good as it does here. The soundtrack by Henry Mancini (reuniting here with Producer Mel Ferrer after their great success on Terence Young's great thriller Wait Until Dark (1967), reviewed on Blu-ray elsewhere on this site) is front and center in the mix that's helps aide in some of the film's more suspenseful moments. Too bad there wasn't a score only track here, something Mancini fans would have particularly enjoyed.


Special Features...


Commentary with Author and Filmmaker Bruce G. Hallenbeck


Trailer



Following the success of their recent Blu-ray edition of Dario Argento's Opera (reviewed elsewhere on this site) comes the Dario Argento production of The Sect (1991, aka The Devil's Daughter). While not directed by the Master himself, the film is directed by Michele Soavi (Stage Fright and Argento's The Church, which is being released by Scorpion next).


Sovai worked on quite a few Argento productions until he stepped into the director's chair and the overall tone is similar and in the way the murders are photographed. The film is a little long and not for everybody as its pretty dark and bleak.


The Sect stars Kelly Curtis, Herbert Lom, Mariangela Giordano, Michel Adatte, and Carla Cassola to name a few. The film is produced and written by Argento and Giovanni Romol.


In Frankfurt, several deaths happen one after another that traces back to a satanic cult. When a school teachers (Curtis) nearly hits an old man (Lom) whose in possession of a box, a lot of weird things start to happen which lead to the Sect. Full of disturbing imagery and plenty of gore, The Sect will make you fear cults again!


Remastered in 2K high definition and boasting new color correction, The Sect has certainly never looked or sounded better than it does here. Presented in 1.78:1 widescreen and a newly remastered English PCM 2.0 Stereo track, the film hardly shows any age. Despite some dark scenes, the signs of noise and grain are minimal and the colors are nicely saturated.


Special Features include...


An interview with Michele Soavi


New interview with star Tomas Arana


Trailers of Argento Productions


Under the radar for most horror fans, The Sect isn't perfect but will please Italian horror fans who are a fan of 'killer cult' movies. It's nice that some of these lesser known titles are finally getting proper releases.



He lost the face of the woman he loved... so he gave it to someone else!


Last but not least is Director John Grissmer's plastic surgery horror film Scalpel (1977) in a beautifully new Blu-ray release thanks to Arrow films. The film almost reminds me a bit of Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958) in that a man is trying to replicate one woman's image upon another, but the similarities pretty much end there. Interestingly photographed and edited with a romantic score that compliments the often times brutal imagery. I hadn't heard of this film before this release and ended up enjoying it. I'm surprised someone hasn't remade this film or that it hasn't gotten more love until now.


The film stars Robert Lansing (TV's original Star Trek, Twilight Zone), Judith Chapman (As the World Turns), Arien Dean Snyder, David Scarroll, and Sandy Martin to name a few. Scalpel was written by Grissmer and Joseph Weintraub.


The story centers around Dr. Reynolds (Lansing) who is a successful plastic surgeon with plenty of money but a vicious dark side. After murdering his daughter's boyfriend, she disappears and leaves with her a staggering inheritance. When the Doctor comes across a disfigured young girl whose face has been destroyed, he decides to give the girl his daughter's face in order to obtain his daughter's inheritance money. Agreeing to split the money with her, a complicated relationship forms between the two that has to be seen to be believed...


There are two different colorized versions of Scalpel on this limited edition Blu-ray release. Both showcasing the film in 1080p high definition with a 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and an original uncompressed PCM Mono audio track. The film has been remastered in 2K and approved by Director of Photography Edward Lachman, which is where the different color comes in hand. There's the Lachman version with a greenish 'southern gothic' tint that has predominate green and yellow tones and then there's the more natural Arrow colorized version. The Arrow version looks simply stunning with normal skin tones and details, while the Lachman version is more of a novelty.


Special Features include...


Brand new audio commentary by film historian Richard Harland Smith


Brand new crew interviews


Original Theatrical Trailer


Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by The Twins of Evil


FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's Booklet with new writing on the film by Bill Ackerman



That should be plenty of horror for all until the next batch arrives.



To order the Umbrella Fair Game import Blu-ray, go to this link for it and other hard-to-find titles:


http://www.umbrellaent.com.au/



- James Lockhart

https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/


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