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Category:    Home > Reviews > Science Fiction > Horror > Thriller > Action > Drama > Martial Arts > Epic > Battles > War > Politics > Aliens > Dark Side Of The Moon (1990/Unearthed Films Blu-ray)/Double Impact (1991/MVD Blu-ray w/DVD)/Fate Of Lee Khan (1973*)/Heroes Shed No Tears (1986/*both Film Movement Blu-ray)/Society (1989/Umbrella Regi

Dark Side Of The Moon (1990/Unearthed Films Blu-ray)/Double Impact (1991/MVD Blu-ray w/DVD)/Fate Of Lee Khan (1973*)/Heroes Shed No Tears (1986/*both Film Movement Blu-ray)/Society (1989/Umbrella Region 4 PAL Import DVD)



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



PLEASE NOTE: The Society Import DVD is now only available from our friends at Umbrella Entertainment in Australia, can only play on DVD, 4K and Blu-ray players that can handle Region 4 locked PAL DVDs and can be ordered from the link below.



Here's an odd mix of all kinds of genre films...



The dark sci-fi thriller, The Dark Side of the Moon (1990) is a fun and not completely original film that's heavily inspired by Alien and other films of the like, and certainly not quite on that level. That doesn't make it a bad film by any means, as it's definitely a bit darker and heavy hitting than other films in the same genre. Directed by D.J. Webster and on Blu-ray for the first time, the film is presented here on Blu-ray from Unearthed Films in a crisp new transfer that brings the overlooked sci-fi film to new detail.


The film stars Robert Sampson, Joe Turkel, Camilla More, John Diehl, and Alan Blumenfeld.


A NASA ship is stranded on the 'dark side of the moon' thanks to a mission failure... however, soon the crew members come in contact with another similar ship. When they board it, they realize that a demonic force is present... and will stop at nothing to possess them all.


The Dark Side of the Moon is presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and a nice sounding audio mix in English LPCM 2.0 Stereo mix. There's a lot of dark scenes in the film and they all come across nicely here. It is shot pretty well, but some of the effects and tech are a bit dated when comparing it to more modern features in the same vein, but that's to be expected.


Special Features include:


Audio Commentary with producer Paul White and Stephen Biro

Interview with Allen Blumenfield

Interview with Stuntman Chuck Borden

Interview with FX Artist Chris Biggs

and Production and Dialogue notes


An interesting and dark sci-fi cult film that you may have missed, The Dark Side of the Moon is certainly worth checking out in this new Unearthed Films release. Films like Event Horizon and the works of John Carpenter (particularly Prince of Darkness) definitely were influenced by it, there's no mistaking that!



Double Impact (1991) has always been one of my favorite Jean Claude Van Damme movies so was thrilled to see this new double disc release as part of the MVD Rewind Collection. Remastered and packed with new and old extras alike, this edition certainly bests the previously released 2012 Blu-ray and is a worthy upgrade.


The film also stars Sarah-Jane Varley, Wu Fong Lung, Alicia Stevenson, and Paul Aylett.


Experience Van Damme's acting range as he plays both good and evil twins who are reunited in Hong Kong and join forces to seek revenge for the death of their parents. There's plenty of '90s thrills, sex, and murder for fans of the era to enjoy.


Double Impact is presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and two audio tracks in English 2.0 Stereo Sound (LPCM) and Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo. Also included in this release is an anamorphically enhanced standard definition DVD of the film as well.


Special Features include:

The Making of Double Impact: Parts 1 and 2

Double Impact: Deleted / Extended Scenes

Double Impact: Anatomy of a Scene with Director Sheldon Lettich

Double Impact: 1991 Behind the Scenes Featurette

Double Impact: B-Roll Selections [Raw, behind the scenes footage from the set

Double Impact: Film Clips

Cast & Crew Interview Clips

Double Impact MVD Rewind Collection Promo

Original Theatrical Trailer

and a Collectible Mini-Poster.



Lee Khan, an oppressive and ruthless general in the Yuan Dynasty has plans to pass through the country side and stay at the Spring Inn. However, rebel forces and spies have learned of his agenda and have laid a trap at the Spring Inn. A group of undercover girl-gang have plans to capture Lee Khan and the military map he carries on him in King Hu's The Fate Of Lee Khan (1973).


A group of female rebel have secretly taken over the Spring Inn working as beautiful serving girls in order to lay a trap for General Lee Khan. However, the Spring Inn is a haven for thieves, bandits and robbers. And even before Lee Khan arrives, the girls will have to ferret out Lee Khan's spies sent ahead to spy on the Inn. After dealing with all the 'regular' customers (and spies) it seems dealing with Lee Khan would be a piece of cake, but Lee Khan is far shrewder than they give him credit for and not only knows it's a trap, but he is prepared with his bodyguards. The only thing he doesn't realize is all the girls are spies and have plans to get the map at any cost.


This was an old Chinese movie cleaned up and brought onto Blu-ray, it is like watching an old school martial arts movie before they had all the modern special effects and CGI. Most of the movie was amusing watching how the female characters were portrayed and how they dealt with ruffians and men with martial arts. Extras include discussion of "Fate of King Hu", essay by Stephen Teo and various trailers.


The 1080p 2.35 X 1 digital High Definition image transfer can show the age of the materials used at times, but this is far superior a transfer to all previous releases of the film looking great with excellent color as good as anything on this list. Sound is offered in two DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 lossless mixes, one in lesser English, the other in better Mandarin, but it does have some poor, dated sound effects that hold back the film and soundfield. This upgrade was pushing it a bit.



One of John Woo's early films, Heroes Shed No Tears (1986) is a Hong Kong-based action/war picture that he made before A Better Tomorrow. The film centers around a Chinese Commando force that are enlisted by the Thai Government to capture and contain General Samton, whose an unstoppable drug lord. The battle wages on the Thailand border as all hell breaks loose!


The film stars Lam Ching Ying, Ma Ying-Chun, Cecile Le Bailly, and Philllip Loffredo.


Heroes Shed No Tears is presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and audio mixes in Cantonese and Mandarin DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 Surround Sound (48kHz, 24-bit) and 2.0 Stereo lossless mixes respectively. The film has been restored in 2K in this new digital presentation and looks and sounds fine for the format.


Special Features include:

Interview with star Eddy Ko

New Essay by Grady Hendrix

and a Collectible Insert Booklet


While obviously not as polished as some of Woo's later works, this is a fun film to look back on and see the master filmmaker's early days and progression. The film has a few pacing issues but is pretty action packed and has strong production value even due to its smaller budget.



Finally, Society (1989) is a grotesque look at what the rich and powerful do behind closed doors. Still quite gross and unnerving today, Society could fall into the same sub-genre as a David Cronenberg film with comparable practical special effects sequences. Having seen many releases on home video over the years, including a HD release from Arrow Video, Society is presented here on standard definition DVD from Umbrella.


Society stars Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, Evan Richards, Charles Lucia, and Patrice Jennings. The film is directed by Brian Yuzna (Bride of Re-Animator).


Bill Whitney (Warlock), a teenage in late '80s Beverly Hills, uncovers a dark truth about modern society that the rich and powerful and really soul sucking alien humanoids. As his parents join his bizarre orgy/cult of soul suckers.


Society is presented in standard definition with an anamorphically enhance widescreen aspect ratio of 1.77:1 and a lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English track. In the PAL format, Region 4, the film looks and sounds as good as it can on the aging format. The compression is evident throughout but if you're still a collector of DVDs then this one should do the job.


Special Features include:

Feature with Commentary

Theatrical Trailer

and Umbrella Propaganda (more trailers for other releases form the label).



To order the Society Umbrella Region 4 PAL import DVD, go to this link for it and other hard to find releases at:


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



- Ricky Chiang (Khan) and James Lockhart

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


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