Month: April 2020

Articles, The Scream Factory Crypt

The Scream Factory Crypt Part 24: Women’s Prison Massacre

Welcome to the Scream Factory Crypt! In this binge series I will be watching all my Scream Factory titles I own alphabetically or sometimes randomly! Scream Factory is my favorite imprint of Blu-Ray’s because they take movies that studios and the public might not adore but have fans and deserve to be given respect. This will take a long time as I have over 163(!) titles and counting, I know I will have more before I finish, so stay tuned!  Not only will I talk about them on the podcast but I will review them here as well so you can see how I feel about aspects of each release.

Part 24. Women’s Prison Massacre

A young reporter, Emmanuelle exposes a corrupt politician and is sent to prison! While she’s there she must contend with a brutal warden! Emmanuelle also clashes with a fellow inmate named Albina! Plus, she has to hold her head underwater until the guards tell her to, when she comes up too early, she is beaten with batons!

One day a group of four deranged convicts are transferred to the Women’s Prison (I don’t know why) and while they what to be executed they take the prison hostage and all hell breaks loose!

What to make of this film? In one respect because it is so stupid and dumb it makes it entertaining. But because it is so stupid and dumb its relatively short runtime of 89 minutes drags.

I mean there is ample nudity, but it is really gratuitous and doesn’t serve a purpose except for only showing women wash themselves not in showers but in sinks. There is gore which is somewhat entertaining but it is few and far between.

Due to the film being dubbed the performances are all over the place. Some of the dialogue is unintentionally stupid so there is laughs to be had.

Women’s Prison Massacre is bad, sometimes that overcomes the lameness of the undeveloped script and can make it a fun watch if you are with friends and are just looking for something to laugh at. Other than that, it’s a tough movie to recommend.

The video transfer on the blu-ray changes from solid to just ok. While I have no doubt that this is the best this movie has ever looked, its low budget feel and barren set design will not push your high-definition to the limits. It does have a nice film look to it and is overall a pleasant looking blu-ray.

The audio however is solid. The score for the film is fun and comes through clearly. As mentioned above the film is dubbed, which leads to some weird sync issues but they do sound well with no pops or scratches.

There are no extras on the disc.

I got Women’s Prison Massacre because I do like the cheesy-ness of other women prison movies like Caged Fury. But in Women’s Prison Massacre the fun does not run for the whole film making it somewhat a chore to watch. Buy if you like bad movies, or like me I got it on sale for $11.

Film: D-

Video: C+

Audio: B

Extras: F

Overall: D

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Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 1 Notorious (The Criterion Collection)

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

  1. Notorious (The Criterion Collection)

World War II has ended and after the conviction of her father for being a Nazi, Alicia Huberman (Ingrid Bergman)  is asked by debonair spy Devlin (Cary Grant) to get close to another suspected Nazi Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains).

Alicia and Devlin soon fall for each other, but will Devlin’s mission get in the way of their happiness?

Notorious is the second film that Grant made with Alfred Hitchcock. The first being the thriller Suspicion. In Suspicion, Grant played a con-man who might be planning his wife’s murder. But at the end of the film the studio mandated that Cary Grant cannot be a killer so while the movie is good it lacks the punch of a satisfying conclusion.

In Notorious, Grant again pushes the audience’s expectations of him. He is mysterious and dangerous and loving all at the same time. Which makes it hard to trust him. Bergman however sells it. She is astonishing in this film. We love Devlin the way she does no matter how hard he makes it.

Notorious is a great film. Everyone is on the top of their game. Hitchcock is divine behind the camera. Giving the viewer enough intimacy before he pulls the rug out with possibly the most mundane object (in this instance a key) and adds a level of tension that I don’t believe any director can match. Rains is also great as a man who is sinister and constantly hounded by an overbearing mother, which of course Hitchcock would explore again in 1960’s Psycho.

Notorious makes its second appearance on blu-ray, this time with a sparkling new transfer by Criterion. I own both versions of the movie on blu-ray and I can say that Notorious on The Criterion Collection looks stunningly more beautiful. The black and white photography is never compressed on suffers any crushed blacks. The film is 74 years old but the painstaking process that The Criterion Collection (and Walt Disney Company according to the booklet that is included) went through to give this film a fresh look is second to none.

Notorious is no slouch when it comes to sound quality. Although the film is 74 years old, the soundtrack shows no signs of wear. I heard no pops, no scratching, nothing that would distract you from the crystal-clear dialogue and score.

This being a Criterion release, Notorious comes packed with outstanding features. There are several older features, from the Criterion release in 2001 is a commentary and also one from the 1990 laser disc(!) release of Notorious. Also included is a French documentary called “Once Upon a Time…Notorious” But that isn’t all as Criterion has included several great new documentaries. With the most fascinating one called “Powerful Patterns” where the ending of Notorious is discussed in great detail. All told the new documentaries total nearly 90 minutes. If that wasn’t enough there are 3 trailers included, and a Lux Radio Theatre adaptation that stars Ingrid Bergman.

Notorious makes an amazing blu-ray debut on Criterion. The movie is a classic, the new transfer is amazing and the bountiful extras make this a must own.

Film: A+

Video: A+

Audio: A+

Extras: A+

Overall: A+

Articles, Review, Top Blu-rays

Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 2 The Wizard of Oz 4K (Best Buy Limited Edition Steelbook)

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

2. The Wizard of Oz 4K (Best Buy Limited Edition Steelbook)

After a tornado tears through her family’s farm in Kansas, Dorthy (Judy Garland) and her loyal dog Toto, are blown away to the magical world of Oz. There they meet the Munchkins, the Good Witch of the North Glinda (Billie Burke) and accidentally murder the the Wicked Witch of the East. In Munchkinland Dorthy is terrorized by the Wicked Witch of the West (Margret Hamilton), who vows revenge for the death of her sister. Dorthy just wants to go home, Glinda and the Munchkins tell her to follow the Yellow Brick Road to meet the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, who surely can send her home.

Along the way Dorthy meets The Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) The Tin Man (Jack Haley) and The Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr).

What can be said about The Wizard of Oz that hasn’t already been discussed at length? It is an American classic, probably the most famous American film ever. I do not know how many times I’ve seen the film, but it is so etched into my subconscious that when I watched it for the first time in years, I knew all the lines and all the beats of the film by heart. I will say that Judy Garland is great in the film however, my favorite character is The Wicked Witch of the West as Margret Hamilton steals every scene she is in.

I do tell everybody if you like movies, you will love The Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz is everything that is great about movies wrapped up into the ultimate family film.

The Wizard of Oz makes a grand entrance of UHD. Much like It’s a Wonderful Life, these classic films are given a whole new life in 4K. My jaw dropped watching The Wizard of Oz. From the sparkling of Dorthy’s ruby red shoes this is what UHD is made for, giving new life to the greatest movies ever. Even little naunces like The Wicked Witch’s costume are enhanced in UHD. I wish my words could describe the greatness of this release, it is that good.

The Wizard of Oz sings its way to an impressive upgrade on the audio front. The singing, instruments have never sounded clearer. Some might scoff that the original mono track is not included on the UHD, but it did not bother me because the DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio is amazing.

The Wizard of Oz comes with a pretty nice slate of extras. On the 4K disc you will find a Commentary featuring a lot of the cast members, a pretty fun listen. Also on the 4K disc is an older documentary hosted by Angela Landsbury, which although is a little fluffy, it nonetheless does a good job with an overview of the film.

The second disc is the same 75th Anniversary release of the film that I owned previously and ports over the bonus features from that release as well, and while none of them are great they do a great job of giving you a nice overview of the iconic film.

The Steelbook is beautiful. It is the way to go as I have no idea who in the hell approved the standard releases box art, it is atrocious and a film of the caliber of The Wizard of Oz deserves better. Thankfully, Best Buy and Steelbook have stepped up to the plate and delivered one of the most attractive Steelbooks out there. Simple in design, beautiful in execution the Steelbook features Dorthy sleeping in the poppy field. That’s it and it’s brilliant. On the inside is a spread of Dorthy and The Scarecrow on the yellow brick road.

The Wizard of Oz is one of the greatest films ever. It is also one of the best 4K’s you can buy. If you can’t find the beautiful Steelbook and must endure the horrible box art in the standard release, just remember the contents of the disc are worth it.

Film: A+

Video: A+

Audio: A

Extras: A

Steelbook: A+

Overall: A+

Articles, Review, Top Blu-rays

Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 3 An American Werewolf in London (Arrow Limited Edition)

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

3. An American Werewolf in London (Arrow Limited Edition)

Two young Americans David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne)are backpacking through the moors of England. They stumble into a pub called The Slaughtered Lamb. The locals don’t want anything to do with them. They do however tell them to stay on the road. Don’t go through the moors.

The boys don’t listen and are viciously attacked by an animal. Jack is killed and David barely survives.

The title gives it away but the monster that attacks the boys is a werewolf, and because David survives the attack he too soon becomes a werewolf.

1981 is the year of the werewolf, as Wolfen and The Howling were also released. Wolfen is ok and The Howling is a campy, awesome werewolf movie, but for my money An American Werewolf in London is the superior wolf film.

Director John Landis does an outstanding job balancing the horror with some pretty great comedy. Landis honed is skills as a great comedy director and writer on back to back classics, Animal House and The Blues Brothers. Landis uses those gifts to craft a horror classic.

David’s transformation is startling and awesome, so awesome in fact that it won the first ever Academy Award for Best Makeup.

The best scene however is when the werewolf stalks some poor Londoner through the tubes. It is ripe with tension and the shots are expertly crafted and staged.

An American Werewolf in London howls with a brand new 4K scan approved by John Landis. This film looks amazing. There really are no words to describe how great this transfer is. Colors are natural and radiant. Details in clothes and the werewolf reach a new level of greatness. I can’t overstate how much this is a must own for the transfer alone.

A werewolf has rarely sounded more terrifying than it does on Arrow’s release. The snarls, the howls and the sounds of ripping and dripping and rotting flesh are superb. Dialogue is balanced well as you will not need to mess with the volume between horror scenes and the talky scenes.

To say that Arrow packed this release with new meat would be an understatement. An American Werewolf in London comes with over 2 hours of brand new material as well as porting over 2 hours and 45 minutes of previous bonus features, not including two commentaries.

The best of the new stuff is a documentary called The Mark of the Beast: The Legacy of the Universal Werewolf. Not only does it cover An American Werewolf, but it also Universal as a movie studio. Really a great documentary that is nearly one hour and twenty minutes long.

Another really fascinating documentary on this disc is, I Think He is a Jew: The Werewolf’s Secret, in which Jon Spira examines the Jewish subtext throughout the movie.

On top of the on the disc content, Arrow has included an awesome new cover art in a heavy duty cardboard. It also come with a booklet, postcards and a reproduction of the original theatrical poster.

One great movie, another outstanding release from Arrow. An American Werewolf in London is a must buy.

Film: A

Video: A+

Audio: A

Extras: A+

Overall: A

Articles, Review, Top Blu-rays

Top Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 4 It’s a Wonderful Life 4K

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

5. It’s A Wonderful Life 4K

George Bailey (James Stewart) is a frustrated with his life. He has spent it in the sleepy town of Bedford Falls and longs to leave. On Christmas Eve he learns his Uncle Billy loses $8,000 that was supposed to be deposited into the bank. Distraught on what will happen to him and his family once the evil millionaire, Mr. Potter takes over his company, George contemplates suicide and how life would be without him.

As George sits on a bridge he is visited by an angel Clarence (Henry Travers), who is trying to earn his wings. Clarence shows George just what life would be like without him in it.

What can be said about It’s a Wonderful Life that hasn’t been said already. It’s the most classic Christmas movie ever. Stewart is mesmerizing as the tortured but loved George Bailey. Henry Travers is funny and sympathetic. Frank Capra uses his steady hand and delivers a heartfelt and heartwarming film. And I can’t forget about the lovely Donna Reed who is the moral compass of the film, as we all hope we find someone who loves is for who we are.

It’s a Wonderful Life makes a heavenly debut on UHD. Words and descriptions can not due this transfer justice. It is absolutely breathtaking. The film shot released in 1946 looks like it was shot yesterday. Right of the bat when young George Bailey enters in the pharmacy everything is as clear as crystal. I noticed right away the names on the bottles and the overall brightness that has been enhanced delivering one hell of an experience. If you have seen It’s a Wonderful Life many times like I have, watching it in stunning 4K is like watching it again for the first time.

Angels sing on the upgrade to UHD. Dialogue has never sounded better. The music is instantly more clear. Hissing and scratches are non-existent. An absolute marvel of a track that is nearly 75 years old.

On the extras side it’s a little light and Paramount skips the making of It’s a Wonderful Life that was included on its initial blu-ray release. You do get three new features however, with the most fascinating one being, Restoring a Beloved Classic. This almost 15 minute feature explains the pain and the love that went into preserving and enhancing this classic film. Also included is Secrets From the Vault, which looks at the film and Frank Capra’s departure from Columbia and founding his own company, Liberty Films. The last new feature is some footage from It’s a Wonderful Life’s Wrap Party. And if you care (I don’t) there is a second disc that houses the colorized version of the film.

It’s a Wonderful Life gets an angelic upgrade to UHD. This is a must own for any movie fan.

Film: A+

Video: A+

Audio: A

Extras: B+

Overall: A

Articles, Review, Top Blu-rays

Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 5 Robocop (Arrow Limited Edition Steelbook)

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

5. Robocop (Arrow Limited Edition Steelbook)

In the near (?) future Detroit is riddled with crime and corruption. The city is in financial ruins and signs a deal with the Omni corporation.  They introduce the future of law enforcement ED-209. It malfunctions and kills an executive. This paves the way for another suit, Morton to unveil his plan, Robocop a cyborg.

Alex Murphy (Peter Weller) is a cop on patrol in Metro West when he and his partner Anne Lewis (Nancy Allen) pursue a gang lead by Clarence Boddicker (Kurtwood Smith). They follow them into a warehouse where Murphy is shot and killed.

Murphy’s body is soon claimed by Omni, who transforms him into Robocop! Their attempts to control him backfire however as Murphy remembers his previous life, leading to a violent clash with Omni Corp.

Robocop is an awesome blend of sci-fi/action done with the tongue in cheek style of its director Paul Verhoeven (who would use this style effectively again 10 years later in Starship Troopers). It’s lots of fun, full of action and actually has some heart to it thanks to a focused and strong performance by Weller.

Robocop delivers justice with a brand new 4K scan. The film has 3 cuts included and the director cut has elements that are inserted from a different source creating a slight difference in a couple of quick cuts and scenes. Most people will probably not even notice as the transfer on all 3 cuts is first rate. Arrow is always one of the best at fresh scans of the films they acquire.

Robocop destroys crooks with an incredible sound mix. Explosions, gunfire are all top notch. Dialogue is crystal clear. Robocop himself has distinct sounds that make him such an iconic character and those sounds all come through dynamically.

Arrow brings out the big guns with two discs of movie and bonus materials. On the director’s cut there is a new commentary with film historian Paul M. Sammon. It is fantastic. Myself and the Nerds were honored to have interviewed Sammon at Telluride Horror Show 2012, you should give that a listen too as he tells a really funny story about Verhoeven. The first disc alone has many new featurettes with the disc having nearly 4 hours of bonus features alone. The two standouts for me are Analog which discuss pre-CGI effects and Connecting The Shots which is an interview with 2nd Unit Director Mark Goldblatt who discuss his long working relationship with Verhoeven.

Disc 2 houses the theatrical cut and the TV cut which does have alternate takes from the film and is an interesting watch. Also, on the second disc you can watch the alternate takes separtealy if you don’t want to watch the whole movie. There is also an older commentary with Verhoeven, producer Jon Davison and writer Ed Neumeier.

The Steelbook looks great. It is a shiny repurposed version of the iconic poster. Really a great looking Steelbook.

Film: A

Video: A

Audio: A

Extras: A+

Steelbook: A

Articles, Review, Top Blu-rays

Top 19 Blu-Rays of 2019: Number 6 Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection

It’s a new year and 2019 has come to a close. I always like to reflect on my favorite physical releases of year. Consumers seem to be moving more and more to streaming services with the launch this holiday season of Disney Plus being the latest. However, 2019 was also a banner year for physical media as well. Several companies really stepped up their game with incredible packaging, extras and in some cases sparkling new transfers of classic films. I will always make the case of physically owning a copy of a movie because it is permanently in your collection, it won’t be dropped or eventually removed from your shelf.

Being that it is 2019, I decided to list my favorite 19 releases of the year. So sit back relax and let’s watch some movies!

6. Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection

What a collection! Shout Factory has released 28 Abbott & Costello films in one amazing Blu-Ray set as part of their Shout Select Line. Included in the set is an extra bonus disc and a host of new commentaries.

It will take you a long time to get through this set if you examine it from top to bottom (it took me over 4 months to be able to watch each film, rewatch the ones with commentaries and then dive into the bonus features).

And while it is true that not all the movies are gems, Abbott & Costello are gems even in their not as successful films. Below is a list of the films included in the set and if there is an * with the film it contains a new commentary;

One Night in the Tropics (1940)

Buck Privates*(1941)

In the Navy (1941)

Hold That Ghost*(1941)

Keep ‘Em Flying* (1941)

Ride ‘Em Cowboy* (actually has 2 commentaries)(1942)

Pardon My Sarong (1942)

Who Done It?* (1942)

It Ain’t Hay* (1943)

Hit the Ice* (1943)

In Society (1944)

Here Come the Co-eds (1945)

The Naughty Nineties* (1945)

Little Giant* (1946)

The Time of Their Lives* (1946)

Buck Privates Come Home (1947)

The Wistful Widow of Wagon Gap (1947)

Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein* (1948)

Mexican Hayride* (1948)

Abbott & Costello Meet The Killer, Boris Karloff* (1949)

Abbott & Costello in the Foreign Legion (1950)

Abbott & Costello Meet The Invisible Man (1951)

Comin’ Round the Mountain (1951)

Lost in Alaska (1952)

Abbott & Costello Go to Mars (1953)

Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde* (1953)

Abbott & Costello Meet the Keystone Kops (1955)

Abbott & Costello Meet the Mummy* (1955)

Whew! You get your money’s worth with this box set. I have seen the big Abbott & Costello movies, Meet Frankenstein, Buck Privates and Who Done It? What is a treat with this collection is seeing the movies that maybe have slipped under the radar. Films like, The Time of Their Lives a period piece about a solider returning home from the American Revolution. Or the clever and funny Hold That Ghost, which would serve the boys well in future appearances with the Universal Monsters.

Another great time with this collection is watching Abbott & Costello get more and more comfortable in front of the camera. In their first film, One Night in the Tropics, they are secondary characters but by far the best part of the film. In their follow up Buck Privates, it’s the Abbott & Costello show and they never look back.

The video presentation on the box set is varied. While I am sure that this is the best that these films have looked, some show their age a little more. It doesn’t distract from the film but some movies like, It Ain’t Hay seem to be a little more rough then others. The films do look good and getting them in high definition is plus.

On the audio side it is much like the video. Keeping in mind that some of these films are nearly 80 years old, I forgive them for having scratches and pops. But the most important part are the goofy sound effects and the dialogue and those all come through clear.

Abbott & Costello is packed with bonus features. Besides the 15 films that contain a commentary, every film comes with production stills and notes. Most come with a trailer as well. Inside the sturdy cardboard case is a nearly 50 page booklet with photos and facts. Also included is a bonus disc that comes packed with features. Clocking in at nearly 6.5 hours these visit a wide range of topics. From their legacy to meeting the monsters you will become an Abbott & Costello expert by the time you comb through all of the bonus materials. And just to top it off there is also nearly an hour of bloopers from various films.

What a great package. Abbott & Costello are legends and they deserve a box set like this. Maybe not all the films are classics but they are all a good time.

Film: B+

Video: B

Audio: B

Extras: A+

Overall: A

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