#'discover the blu ray experience!'

[halfcaffeinated]

i love dvd's..... movie trailers and previews! menu screen!! bonus content!!! slightly gritty video quality!!!! it feels more real

[mygreatadventurehasbegun]

OK.

So I've kind of been obsessing over The Crow since watching it for the first time last Friday.

I cannot believe it took me this long to watch it because it is so up my alley and once I get a physical copy that can work in my blu-ray player (I bought a 4K and didn't realize until I'd opened it), I can totally see this becoming a comfort movie.

Bad day?

Watch The Crow.

Home sick?

Watch The Crow.

But I want to talk about what might be my favorite scene in the movie.

Which may seem an odd choice compared to something like the scene at the pawn shop, where we get to see Eric have a little fun...his humor and personality come through along with the menace.

But this scene with Eric and Tin Tin?

It is fantastic.

I love how it starts with Eric experimenting...testing to see how far he can go...ending with that maniacal, gleeful laugh when he discovers he is impervious to harm.

But it gets really good when he confronts Tin Tin.

When you see him through the fire, he's like an animal. He has his prey in sight, and nothing will get in his way.

He is being fueled purely by his rage.

And when he screams: "MURDERER!!!" at Tin Tin, it legit gives me chills.

And then the dialogue between them starts and he switches. He is no longer being fueled by rage alone...now the pain is starting to creep in. But the pain is keeping his rage in check...for now. And I find it interesting that it almost seems to physically hurt him when Tin Tin starts talking about what he did to Shelly. Which of course, is what gives Tin Tin the brief upper hand in the fight.

But he's fighting a temporarily immortal being, and so that upper hand doesn't last. I'm obsessed with the way Eric avoids the knives (I guess you missed Tin Tin) and how he turns the table to take his first act of vengeance.

I lot of the reason I love this scene really comes down to Brandon Lee's performance. Like I said earlier, this is his rage and pain laid bare and Brandon Lee did such an outstanding job and physicalizing it and making it so palpable. Again, hearing about the pain Shelly went through seems to physically hurt him (which we also see in later scenes)...and I interpret the story as Eric came back to avenge Shelly's death, not his own.

And the other reason I love this scene is the fight choreography. Of the four villains Eric goes after, Tin Tin is really the only one who put up a fight (I know Fun Boy's scene was longer where they actually fought once Darla left), and so that makes the scene a bit more interesting to watch. But the fight is very raw and rough...I appreciate the fact that the fight wasn't "perfect", even though they could have easily done it, considering all of Brandon Lee's skills. And the knife work is really cool, culminating in that final blow with "Victims. Aren't we all?"

I am so happy I finally got to see this movie.

And if you're looking for something to watch this Halloween season, I highly recommend this one!

[brokehorrorfan]

The Gate will be released on Blu-ray (with Digital) in Steelbook packaging on May 14 exclusively at Walmart for $19.96. Other than the packaging, the disc is identical to Lionsgate's Vestron Video release from 2017.

The 1987 horror cult classic is directed by Tibor Takács (Sabrina the Teenage Witch) and written by Michael Nankin. Stephen Dorff, Louis Tripp, Christa Denton, Kelly Rowan, and Jennifer Irwin star.

Vance Kelly designed the Steelbook art. Special features are listed below, where you can also see the interior layout.

Special features:

Audio commentaries by director Tibor Takacs, writer Michael Nankin, and special effects designer Randall William Cook

Audio commentary by special effects designer Randall William Cook, special make-up effects artist Craig Reardon, special effects artist Frank Carere, and matte photographer Bill Taylor

Isolated score selections and audio interview with composers Michael Hoenig and J. Peter Robinson

The Gate: Unlocked featurette

Minion Maker featurette

From Hell It Came featurette

The Workman Speaks! featurette

Made in Canada featurette

From Hell: The Creatures & Demons of The Gate featurette

The Gatekeepers featurette

Making of The Gate featurette

Teaser trailer

Theatrical trailer

TV spot

Storyboard gallery

Behind-the-scenes still gallery

When best friends Glen and Terry stumble across a mysterious crystalline rock in Glen’s backyard, they quickly dig up the newly sodden lawn searching for more precious stones. Instead, they unearth The Gate — an underground chamber of terrifying demonic evil. The teenagers soon understand what evil they’ve released as they are overcome with an assortment of horrific experiences. With fiendish followers invading suburbia, it’s now up to the kids to discover the secret that can lock The Gate forever… if it’s not too late.

Pre-order The Gate.

[mermaidchan05]

Vesuvia Weekly: Modern Date Nights

More bullet point headcanons! This time we get some date nights with my Apprentices and their love interests, modern-day style!

Nadia, Portia, and Chimalus: Movie Night

Or, more specifically, nostalgic movie night, as decided by Portia

Neither Nadia nor Chimalus exactly had ordinary childhoods. 

(Both for somewhat different reasons) 

They’re both aware of a lot of the movies that were popular when they grew up, and other “childhood” things, but they didn’t really get a chance to experience them. 

Portia, on the other hand, knows all the “kid’s stuff,” and unironically loves a lot of it. 

So she’s made it her mission to introduce her two loves to everything she can. 

It’s tough with Nadia’s very packed schedule, but Portia is an expert at finding time for important things. 

And as far as she’s concerned, this is of the utmost importance.

So the trio sets aside one weekend every month at lest to snuggle on the couch, make the coziest snack foods, and binge as many "children's movies" as they possibly can. 

Portia not only knows what all the best streaming platforms are, but also knows exactly how to get bargain-bin price DVDs and Blu Rays of the best movies. 

The trio has gone through almost the entire Disney catalog by now. And most of the Pixar movies. 

Portia, of course, has thrown in a few other classics.

Everyone was crying over The Last Unicorn. 

And heaven help them once they discover Bluey. 

Nadia sometimes isn’t the best person to watch movies with. Her analytical mind picks them apart and predicts twists.

But Portia’s seen everything she shows them, so she doesn’t really mind

And she giggles whenever Nadia gets something wrong... with extra giggles when Nadia actually predicts the story correctly. 

Also, Chimalus is able to mellow Nadia out a bit. Chimalus is an artist, so when they’re watching anything animated, they love pointing out all the little details that help make movies something you feel more than think about. 

Every single one of these date nights has ended in all three of them passed out on the couch in a snuggly tangle. 

(Side note: Nadia has an in-home movie theater and you cannot convince me otherwise. Yes, they could absolutely hold Nostalgic Movie Night there. No, they do not. They always opt for Portia’s Super Comfy Couch TM) 

Asra and Meleia: Convention Weekends

Two words: Couple cosplays. 

Asra is an artist. And they are an absolute aficionado of the most obscure games and movies and anime series you have ever heard of. 

Meleia loves sewing, and she’s a giant kid at heart. 

And since they both love collecting cute little trinkets, conventions are their jam. 

The two of them will absolutely spend way too much time planning out The Perfect Outfits. 

And yes, if it’s a longer convention, they will have a cosplay for every single day. 

Sometimes multiple per day. 

They're also both very good at taking care of each other.

Whenever Meleia has a more in-depth costume, like something with a ton of layers or a huge full skirt or a very intricate wig, Asra is the best hype person/cosplay care person. 

He’s got the full Mom Bag of anything that Meleia might need at any given moment, be it a little electric fan or a drink with all kinds of electrolytes or a makeup patch job or a wig brush or sewing supplies for an actual patch job. 

And Asra’s an expert at finding a cool and quiet spot to just sit back and recharge. 

The only two things Meleia really needs to be careful of when it comes to watching over Asra is making sure he doesn’t spend the entire shopping budget in one place, and that she doesn’t lose him when he finds a little corner to nap in. 

(Is Asra supposed to be napping in that corner? Up for debate) 

But in the end, the two of them have a wonderful time wandering around in their fun outfits and buying all the things and doing the silly arcade games that can only be found at conventions. 

They will pass out in the hotel afterwards. And Asra will sleep for almost a day straight once they get home. 

But it’s always worth it. 

Julian and Damian: Musical Magic

Julian and Damian have a lot of interests in common, but they truly bonded over their shared love of music. 

And we all know Julian adores drama. 

So a date night between Julian and Damian sometimes boils down to “which Broadway show can we get a ticket for this weekend?” 

The road trip to the theater is part of the date, too. 

These two can and will do an entire two-man production of Hadestown while en route to the theater and you cannot convince me otherwise. 

And when it isn’t Broadway Night, any kind of date is almost guaranteed to have some kind of music. 

A trip to their favorite coffee shop which showcases local bands, karaoke night (either at home or out at a specific spot, each with varying degrees of drinks), or, of course, the classic “going out dancing” 

Honestly, there’s just a lot of dancing involved, even if the two of them didn’t plan it. 

And when in doubt, nothing beats a gentle evening alone, where they make their own music. 

Damian takes out his guitar. Julian takes out his violin. 

And the two of them just let the music speak for them. 

[sluttypup101]

so here’s some of the book, it’s kinda long

Have you ever been so afraid of everything in your life? Well, I have. Hi, My name is Emerald but my friends call me em, well seem like my friends. Frankly, I don’t even know if they are real. A few years back I was on a cruise with my mother and father and my two older sisters, but then the boat hit something. it wasn’t on the map at all and it was like really big so they didn’t have time to get away from it so it hit the cruise ship hard and then it started sinking. I was on the main deck, so I fell off first with my mother and father. My two older sisters were in the rooms. I don’t think they made it, but I was thrown into the water, and I don’t know how to swim, heck, I don’t even know anything about the oceans because I have lived in a suburban town since I was born. The only reason we were on the cruise ship was because we got free tickets from a winning lottery ticket. The last thing I heard before I blacked out was my mother and father, screaming for me, I then saw a pinkish-purpleish light coming from behind me, and then I felt arms wrapped around me, then I blacked out. As I opened my eyes, I was greeted by a beautiful sight. The sun was beginning to set over the vast ocean, casting a warm, golden glow across the water and the sky. I could smell the saltiness of the sea in the air, and the gentle breeze that ruffled my hair was cool and refreshing. As I looked around, I noticed that I was no longer on the deck of the cruise ship. Instead, I was in a small, cozy cabin, with windows facing the ocean and a view of the deck of the ship off in the distance. I sat up and saw a note on the bedside table. It read, "Dear Em, Welcome to the SS Phoenix. We are so glad to have you aboard. Please make yourself at home, and feel free to explore the ship and everything it has to offer. If you have any questions or need anything, just let us know and we'll be happy to assist you. Enjoy your stay!" A sense of curiosity and wonder-filled me as I read the note. Who were "we"? And what was this ship all about? I decided to explore the cabin, and to my surprise, I found it to be full of hidden treasures. There were bookshelves filled with books on all sorts of topics, from fiction to non-fiction, from philosophy to science. There was a small kitchenette, fully stocked with all kinds of food and drink. And there was even a small living area with a couch, a television, and a stack of DVDs and Blu-rays to choose from. I spent the rest of the evening exploring the cabin and reading various books, and before I knew it, it was late into the night. I laid down on my comfortable mattress and closed my eyes, feeling a sense of peace and contentment wash over me. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder what the morning would bring. Would I continue to uncover the mysteries of this ship and its crew? Or would I be led on an adventure of a lifetime, discovering new things about myself and the world around me? Only time would tell, but I knew one thing for sure: I was ready for whatever was to come. When I woke up the ship had docked, on an island, I didn’t know what the island was called but I got up, got dressed and went outside, to my shock monsters and beasts were walking around like humans, one of them even stopped to talk to me, I learned her name was Fiona, and she was a first-class member, and when I asked her where we were, she said that we were docked at the wakenas islands, a big vacation island with everything, like waterparks, carnivals, luxury hotels, shops, etc.After talking to Fiona and learning about the Wakenas Islands, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. It was a surreal experience to be on an island filled with both humans and extraordinary creatures coexisting. As we walked through the bustling streets, I marveled at the vibrant diversity of the island.

[nodutra19]

I've Been Mulling Over Utena (SPOILERS)

Alright, if you're watching Utena now or are planning to do so, skip this post cuz I'mma spoil, like the whole thing.

WARNING FOR MENTIONS OF SA, CSA, INCEST, AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE

A few weeks ago I finished Utena. I discovered it through one of Noralities videos, I think, and some time later ordered the Blu-Rays when they were on sale.

I really wasn't sure what I expected in all honesty. I had little to no preconception of it. I think by the time I got the Blu-Rays I'd completely forgotten everything Noralities or from whoever I discovered it had said; I even forgot about an old meme on my phone that puts Utena avis at the tail end of Communist.

I've been mulling over just what I experienced, and I think I have something of an interpretation of one element of the series, although I imagine the Ikuhara scholars have long beaten me to this conclusion.

I watched Noralities's video (don't bother informing me on drama or controversies, I'm too old to care about shit like that. I only care if they're bigots and have committed material harm, and I don't mean just property. If they're not like Vaush or any given alt-right YouTuber, I don't care) on Nanami since I really wasn't sure how to feel about her, and it definitely opened my eyes to things.

In my eyes, this series is very much about intimacy, particularly the ways our comprehension and expression of it can be warped to exploit us. Before Akio's sins are shown to the audience, we see Nanami's fixation on Touga, and one's response might be to either fetishize it or mock her and her behavior, but she's literally 13.

In a sense, a sibling is the "safest choice" of a "prince." Unlike the others bond in life, you don't have to forge it: the set-dressing is already there for you. There's a pre-established connection, especially if you're like Kazuo and Miki. It's an almost primeval love, a love one can stay in if they so choose, but like the chick they will only suffocate and die within its shell like the ageless members of Ohtori. This is at least from the point of someone like Nanami, and I say that as someone who was once similar to her.

I'm not going to get into details, but my abuser and I once played with such ideas. I 12, they 14. They shipped Ken and Minako from Persona 3, which should tell you everything. I was the "Ken" in her mind, and she did indeed infantalize me. Maybe I'm being too dramatic, but this was my experience. I was "into it," but shortly after we broke off, I came to realize how strange it was, and the whole sordid ordeal cast a shadow over me until I was 16. We started off as simply playing as siblings, me wanting a "Big Sister's Affection," and they a Little Brother to dote on, but things developed. I was pressured into dating, mostly through guilt-tripping, putting me in the position of a caretaker, as one who must clean the mess she makes, at one point her threatening suicide if I left, her cutting me off from my friends like all abusers do.

This was very much the theme in my experience.

The fixation Nanami has on Touga is the most explored and thus illuminates the disconcerting synchronicity the characters experience in their betrayals and troubles.

Kozue and Miki are a more disturbing mess of tangled intimacy and affection, and this could be attributed to the lesser age gap. Nanami can be curtly dismissed as a childish attachment, but the closer maturity between the Kaoru heightens how frightening such attachments can be, especially for twins. Their bond is embryonic, beyond primeval.

And by consequence of being like Nanami, this also means I was much like Tsuwabuki, a child who through unhealthy images disseminated in society comes to believe and perform ideals antithetical to his development, maturity, and health. Nanami, like my abuser, as Noralities points out, repeats the cycle she herself is blind to, and because her main example has been glamorous images of knightly princes at night and day atop pale horses eternally in love, specifically Touga, she unwittingly and subconsciously mimics him in her treatment of the younger compatriot who himself has been taught to tangle emotional and physical intimacy and perhaps even to suffer mistreatment.

Later on, Touga essentially assaults Nanami, and here Kunihiko and the crew clarify that what Nanami desires isn't sex or even romantic love. At first I was confused on what she wanted, but then an idea came: Nanami herself is confused because she's been confined to Touga and the imagery of men like him carved in stone and painted in art.

This has been me blowing out my ass despite how fancily I can write. I hope I was able to provide a long-time fan with some insight. I guess I've come to Nanami's defense, eh? I guess I was embarrassed of her because she reminded me so much of myself. Maybe that's her point.

Maybe I've been analyzing fantasms, I dunno, y'all tell me.

[adamwatchesmovies]

Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn (1987)

Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn or simply Evil Dead II is usually described as a remake of 1981’s Evil Dead but it isn’t really. It’s more that The Evil Dead was the draft/proof of concept and this is the finished work. Bruce Campbell plays the same character, some of the same concepts come back, but there's no continuity. Here, we have a horror comedy done right, with plenty of big laughs, “yuck!” moments and scares tying them together.

Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) and his girlfriend, Linda (Denise Bixler) are vacationing in a seemingly abandoned cabin in the woods when they discover a tape of archaeologist Raymond Knowby reading passages from the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis. The incantations unleash an evil force upon the couple, and later, Knowby’s daughter Annie, her research partner Ed Getley (Richard Domeier), and their hired help: Jake (Dan Hicks) and his girlfriend, Bobby Joe (Kassie Wesley).

Evil Dead II is a comfortable middle between the scrappy “anything goes, let’s just do it” filmmaking of the original film and the slick blockbusters Sam Raimi would later direct. From the very first frame, the camerawork tells you this movie is going to be something special. As the evil force chases Ash through the cabin, they take turns smashing through doors, going around corners, and doing anything they can do to fulfill their objective: him? Get away. It? Get close to him. It’s an exhilarating sequence that’s at once panic-inducing and hilarious. It perfectly summarizes what this movie will be like. Yeah, the film might still be a little rough around the edges - there’s a stop-motion monster later on that isn’t all that convincing - but the ideas are there. It takes about 3 minutes for Evil Dead II to unleash its sinister force upon the protagonist and once that’s started, it never lets up. Once the credits roll, you won’t believe everything was packed within only 84 minutes. This film dares to tell us the things we might’ve thought of but would’ve never mustered up the courage to ask, like: what do undead eyeballs taste like?

With scenes that involve Ash fighting with his own demonically possessed hand and heads that can be lobbed off as easily as apples on a shelf, it’s easy to remember the big laughs. The beauty of Evil Dead II is that it also has genuine scares. For example, The scene where Ash realizes the entire cabin around him is evil. The lights, the doors, the walls, the pictures and baubles hanging on the hooks, the very air itself. He's sprayed with gore like it’s coming from a high-pressure hose and then it disappears like nothing happened. It evokes a particular kind of Hell, a place whose tortures have no limits and where time has no meaning. The film previously established that Ash only needs to last until sunrise. After the lamp starts cackling at his futile efforts to fend off the dark forces, that might as well be a million years away. What else can he (and you) do but laugh too? This whole thing is some kind of cosmic joke at his expense.

Evil Dead II is a riot. It’s full of memorable lines, sights and moments. For so many reasons, this movie shouldn’t work but it does. It does so well that it makes this sort of thing look easy. You might be left wondering what it is you just watched but there’s no way you'll forget the experience. (On Blu-ray, June 2, 2022)

[buck-tick-stash]

The Izora Concert Experience

Better than (Tour) The Best.

With COVID restrictions finally lifting to a proper degree in Japan, the Izora tour saw the audience come alive in a way that had not been possible in three years.

The band itself was also more energetic on stage. As we know from the band's pre-tour interviews posted to their YouTube channel, Tour The Best 35th Anniv. overlapped studio recordings of the following year's Izora album, competing for their energy and creative focus.

By contrast, the members seemed much more lively for Izora. Toll walked cheerfully and waved where before he had shuffled. Imai's cane was nowhere to be seen, and in addition to his usual kicks and dances, he playfully hop-scotched across the stage during Hizumi. Yuta was mugging at the crowd with extra enthusiasm, and there were moments of Sakurai and Hide twirling in sync.

And, while I'm 99.8% certain I did not imagine it, I know how hard this will be to believe: Imai cracked a smile.

In addition to playing the entire album, the smattering of old songs included Jonathan Jet-Coaster, with the chant of "I wanna be your fuckin' baby, fuckin' baby" getting quite the response from the audience, and Igniter, which absolutely thrilled my hard-rock heart, not to mention the sheer pleasure of hearing Imai at the mic again.

Having gone to a show on this tour has more than convinced me to get a copy any Izora-related tour Blu-rays in the future for two points (above and beyond simply being a Buck-Tick simp):

1) The visuals fit the songs beautifully and cohesively. I'm dying to see them again without the fear of missing some action from the members.

2) Imai's theremin solo. No joke, the man has seriously leveled up his skill. While Imai has always used the theremin as he has most synth sounds, as a way to enhance the existing melodies and add his particular brand of flair, his solo in Izora was masterful, as the theremin sang with more tonal fidelity and coloratura than most of the solos the band puts out.

My one and only criticism falls on Noraneko Burū ("Alley Cat Blue"), whose bridge features a solo on an off-tune tinny upright piano. On the album, this works. The run-down jazzy sound suits the lazy lounge-esque beat of the song. However, this bit of piano keeps its coveted spot in the song as a backing track on stage. I wasn't sure which musician to focus on, as none were actively creating the solo, and as it was a straight copy of what was on the album, felt flat when played next to live instruments. In previous tours, Rondo's violin suffers similarly, but the looser scat of a piano definitely stood out more to me.

Much that I have to say about the venue, goods, and the before and after are the same as my previous post. I did learn that getting the first copy of an autobiography does not guarantee you'll be rewarded with a signed copy. (Yuta, why no love??!! (｡•́︿•̀｡) )

One unfortunate thing I discovered this time was how certain members of the audience behaved after the show was complete. This time, I had hung around and had a better view of the audience after the show, seeing several of them scour between seats for the chance at missed picks, diving viciously for them and nearly getting into scuffles. (I'm not terribly surprised. I've seen the obaachans during Parinirvana Day; the U.S. has no monopoly on "Black Friday" behavior. I'm still disappointed to see it again, though.)

Don't let my ability to expand on complaints fool you. Izora was an absolute blast. I wish I had the funds and the free days to follow Buck-Tick all over the country. Gods willing, they will make more albums and do more tours, and I hope to save up enough to attend several in the same tour next time 'round.

[pers-books]

This celebratory issue also includes a 16-page supplement, an exclusive art card, a specially commissioned diorama featuring figures from the recent series and a four-hour long Sixth Doctor audio drama for every reader.

Inside the mag!

Millie Gibson checks in with DWM following the debut of companion Ruby Sunday in The Church on Ruby Road.

UNIT regulars Jemma Redgrave (Kate Lethbridge-Stewart), Alexander Devrient (Colonel Ibrahim) and Ruth Madeley (Shirley Anne Bingham) face questions from the TARDIS Tin.

Production designer Phil Sims takes us on a guided tour of UNIT’s central London HQ!

We talk to DWM writers about their experiences interviewing the stars of Doctor Who for early issues of the magazine.

International Who! A special report on how the series has become a hit in Spain!

Meet Christina Rotondo – the singer who gave voice to Janis Goblin!

We pay tribute to Richard Franklin who died on Christmas day – and examine the impact he had as UNIT officer Captain Mike Yates.

We talk to production runner Thani Subkhi about his vital work on the upcoming series.

Letter from the Showrunner – Russell T Davies gives us an update on the progress being made on the next two series!

Time-Space Visualiser – discover the secret recipe for sky-high ratings!

The Fact of Fiction – we examine the opening episodes of 1973’s Planet of the Daleks.

The adventures of the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby Sunday continue in the comic strip!

PLUS!

Gallifrey Guardian – all the latest official news.

Reviews – covering books, audio dramas and games.

Other Worlds – the essential guide to new stories in Doctor Who’s expanded universe.

Win The Daleks in colour, Blu-ray box sets, books and audio dramas!

Doctor Who Magazine Issue 600 is on sale Thursday 1 February from panini.co.uk and WH Smith priced £10.99 (UK).

Also available as a digital edition from pocketmags.com priced £9.99.

[albertserra]

Cure is a seriously spooky film not because it produces some astonishingly scary or graphic visuals, but because it establishes a direct line to the mind of Detective Takabe, which is being manipulated by the serial killer. As a result, viewing Cure evolves into something of a light interactive experience that has quite an impact on the head and senses. But what was Kurosawa trying to accomplish with it? If you believe what Kurosawa has said about the roots of Cure, then the interactive experience that materializes through it is crystal-clear evidence that the crime reports you consume via your TV do some very bad things to your mind. They can alter your perception of reality and even your personality and identity. In the second half of Cure, this is precisely what Detective Takabe discovers after the serial killer plugs into his mind and begins unloading details about his deeds.

this blu-ray dot com review asserting Kiyoshi Kurosawa's Cure (1997) as essentially anti true crime media.... period!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[docrotten]

PUPPET MASTER (1989) – Episode 248 – Decades Of Horror 1980s

“December 8th, 1:46 A.M. Researcher and principal psychometric subject about to embark on sexual experiment number 517A; hopefully will be opening up a channel to Neil Gallagher; experiment may utilize various sexual aids and certain assorted apparatus; descriptions to follow.” Uh, what kind of puppets are these? Join your faithful Grue Crew – Chad Hunt, Bill Mulligan, Crystal Cleveland, and Jeff Mohr – as they delve into the still-growing Puppet Master franchise with the one that kicked it all off: Puppet Master (1989)!

Decades of Horror 1980s Episode 248 – Puppet Master (1989)

Join the Crew on the Gruesome Magazine YouTube channel! Subscribe today! Click the alert to get notified of new content! https://youtube.com/gruesomemagazine

Decades of Horror 1980s is partnering with the WICKED HORROR TV CHANNEL (https://wickedhorrortv.com/) which now includes video episodes of 1980s and is available on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV, and its online website across all OTT platforms, as well as mobile, tablet, and desktop.

André Toulon, a puppet maker, one day discovers an old Egyptian formula able to create life and decides to use it to give his puppets life. The Nazis covet this knowledge and, in desperation, Toulon commits suicide. Some years later, four psychics visit a former colleague who suddenly commits suicide. Along with his widow, they uncover the secrets of the Puppet Master.

  Directed by: David Schmoeller

Writing Credits: David Schmoeller (screenplay by) (as Joseph G. Collodi); (story by) Charles Band, Kenneth J. Hall, J.S. Cardone (uncredited)

Produced by: Charles Band (executive producer); Hope Perello (producer)

Music by: Richard Band

Puppet Effects Created by: David Allen Productions

Selected Cast:

Paul Le Mat as Alex Whitaker

William Hickey as Andre Toulon

Irene Miracle as Dana Hadley

Jimmie F. Skaggs as Neil Gallagher

Robin Frates as Megan Gallagher

Matt Roe as Frank Forrester

Kathryn O’Reilly as Carissa Stamford

Mews Small as Theresa (as Merrya Small)

Barbara Crampton as Woman at Carnival

David Boyd as Man at Carnival

Peter Frankland as Assassin #1

Andrew Kimbrough as Assassin #2

Ed Cook as Pinhead (voice)

Linda Cook as Leech Woman (voice)

Tim Dornberg as Tunneler (voice)

Bert Rosario as Blade (voice)

Michael Laide as Jester (voice)

Just what the Grue-Crew ordered (or maybe just Crystal), killer puppets!!! Charles Band and the merry band of misfits – Blade, Jester, Pinhead, Tunneler, Leech Woman, Shredder Khan, and Gengie – scream and slice for airtime in this first entry in the Puppet Master series. Originally intended for a summer theatrical release, the film skipped wide audiences for the booming direct-to-video market… and became an instant franchise, spawning 14 sequels and crossovers… and counting.

At the time of this writing, Puppet Master is available for streaming from the Full Moon Channel, Peacock, Shudder, and Tubi as well as PPV from Amazon and Redbox. The film is available on physical media in Blu-ray format as a stand-alone disc or as part of various boxed sets from Full Moon Entertainment. 

Every two weeks, Gruesome Magazine’s Decades of Horror 1980s podcast will cover another horror film from the 1980s. The next episode’s film, chosen by Chad, will be The Beast Within (1982). It should be interesting when the Grue-Crew go talkabout with this one.

Please let them know how they’re doing! They want to hear from you – the coolest, grooviest fans – so leave them a message or comment on the Gruesome Magazine Youtube channel, on the Gruesome Magazine website, or email the Decades of Horror 1980s podcast hosts at feedback@gruesomemagazine.com.

Check out this episode!

[qwanderer]

The Saga of Me Trying To Watch the Leverage s5 Commentary (Legally) With My Mom

Okay, so for a while my family has owned one copy of “Leverage: The Complete Series” on DVD which I bought new as a present for my sister, as well as individual copies of seasons 1 through 4 which I picked up secondhand at my favorite thrift shop. We discovered pretty early on (before we found the secondhand copies) that The Complete Series disks didn’t like certain DVD players, including my parents’ DVD/BD machine, so I brought my old DVD/BD player over to my parents’ place where we watch TV on Saturdays.

This is a disk player that I bought in maybe 2012 or 2013. And it had been showing signs of its age since, oh, 2017? It sometimes likes to stop working until it can have a rest in a cool place and not be used for a while and then it works again. The last time it stopped working, maybe during s3?, I tried to play The Complete Series disks in my parents’ player again and went “oh right, that doesn’t work” so I tried the secondhand disks and they were fine, so we’ve been using their player since then. It’s also old and has been known to do things like skip, and eat disks, but since we gave it a nice airy heat-conductive muffin tin to sit on, it’s been pretty reliable.

I forgot about this whole thing until we tried to start Season 5 and the Complete Series disk, of course, still did not like that player.

I was like “No biggie, my player has probably had enough of a rest, we can switch back to that!”

That worked for about half an episode, and there were some laggy bits in there, before it stopped playing entirely.

So obviously I was like “well I will get a new disk player,” because the players were old and I thought the chances were good that a new player would have a better chance of being compatible with picky disks.

The new player arrived! I installed it! The Complete Series S5 Disk 1 completely failed to play!

(This is my mom’s second watch-through and my third, but our first with commentary. Usually we spend two weeks on an episode, commentary the first week and regular audio the next, and since we started s5 we have been listening to pirated commentary audio by itself on the first week [I feel zero bad about this, WE OWN THE DISKS] and watching the regular episode on freevee on my laptop the second week. Not getting any visuals with the commentary and getting commercials in the episode is annoying, but it’s a net pleasant experience still.)

My first reaction was, “Okay, I need some new disks,” but my search of Amazon came up with a $57 dollar option, a zone 2 copy, and not much else, so I decided to explore other avenues for a while first.

So I was like “Well if the new player isn’t working, but an older one did, I should use The Oldest Player I Have” which is the DVD drive that I pried out of the premade desktop I bought in 2008 after it died. That drive. Is. Solid. It is the most reliable disk player in my life. Possibly because it lives in a drawer most of the time because it’s annoying to set up and won’t play my blu-rays. But it laughs in the face of scratches. I tested it out with another disk and it worked fine.

Confidently, I brought it over to my parents’ place, set it up with its special powered converter cable, plugged it into my computer, and put the disk in!

Nothing happened! No good!

I considered hulking out, but ultimately thought it was time to cough up the $57 instead.

This time, when I searched, there was a nice friendly $18 option, with nothing in the description about zones, which has bit me in the ass before, but it’s $18, I figured, so I bought them. (I think the S5 search was a little wonky because the cover just says The Final Season, but they fixed it I guess.)

Today they arrived!

The player I have access to right now is my old 2008 DVD drive, so I set it up with my laptop and opened it up. The Complete Series S5 Disk 1 got forgotten in there! I set it aside and put in The Final Season Disk 1.

No good!

I tried the second disk.

Would not open!

SAD.

And then I was like, “okay, if there is something the matter that is not with the drive or the disk, what could it be? It could be a zone issue after all.”

BUT THEN I remembered that when I had done the test run before bringing the old drive to my parents’ place, I had plugged the USB cable into the LEFT USB port on my laptop, and the subsequent attempts, I had plugged it into the RIGHT USB port.

I switched the cable to the other port, and the new disks played!!!!!! YES! THEY LIVE!!!

And then I was like “If this was the problem the entire time, I am going to feel Very Silly about buying the season over again when the problem was my right-hand USB port” but I had The Complete Series S5 Disk 1 right there, because I’d accidentally left it in the drive. So I put it back in the drive!

I have never been so happy to have confirmation that something is broken. The disk did NOT play. The purchase of the new season was worthwhile! There is something more functional about the new set of disks over the old one.

Hopefully the new disks will play in at least one of the two players currently in residence at my parents’ house, but just in case, I will bring my Oldest Drive too.

And I don’t regret buying the new disk player either, because I like personally owning a machine that plays blu-rays and was manufactured this decade. And also Good Omens 2 is coming out soon and we learned with the first season that my parents’ smart TV does not get along perfectly well with Amazon Prime. I’m hoping the new player will prove its worth by doing that job better.

Wish me luck in my technological endeavors!

[yuexuan]

[Review] 死亡万花筒

Title: 死亡万花筒 Kaleidoscope of Death

Author: 西子绪

Length: 139 chapters + 10 extras

Rating: M 

Tag: infinite flow, supernatural, horror

Summary [taken from novel updates]:

It started off peculiarly; first, his domestic cat refused to let him cuddle it.

Lin Qiushi soon found that a sense of disharmony and incongruity began to pervade everything around him.

Then, one odd day, he pushed open a door, and he discovered that the hallway he was familiar with turned into a boundless corridor.

At both ends of this corridor were twelve, identical iron gates.

Thus, the story began.

Ruan Nanzhu said to Lin Qiushi, “When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Qiushi sank into deep contemplation. He then pulled down the zipper of his trousers and aimed at the abyss…

Ruan Nanzhu: “…Put your pants on properly!”

Novel | Novel [translated] | Audio drama

Comments **contains spoilers**:

Lin Qiushi was diagnosed with terminal cancer, but was given a second chance at life - by surviving and passing the 12 doors. Each door was a horror world of its own, ranging from the rain lady who would kill people by putting them into frames, to the minotaur residing on the cruise ship that would eat passengers. There were rules governing each of the world, such as characters who were murdered by other characters could become ghosts to avenge themselves, or those who discovered the bronze key and exited the world first could get a clue to their next door. Characters could also take on jobs to assist others in passing the doors. 

As Lin Qiushi survived each door, his illness got better, to the point where the cancer was nearly non-existent. All he needed to do was survive past the twelfth door. 

Highlights:

Compared with a lot of other infinite flow stories, I somehow found the reasoning for the infinite flow setup to be the most meaningful. It’s not some military system or supernatural movie experience, but an opportunity for the participants to experience death and aim for ‘rebirth’. How each character reacted to death was diverse. The most memorable one for me was Tan Zaozao’s, where she regretted at the very end for not having undergone training to increase her survival probability. The way that others reacted to her death was chilling as well, especially this line:

“So everything was exaggerated. People who might not have known Tan Zaozao became her fans, and the distributors took the opportunity to announce the remake of Tan Zaozao’s early films on Blu-ray……her funeral turned into a carnival. Lin Qiushi was a witness to this carnival.”

Having read quite a bit of horror danmei, K.O.D. definitely ranked at the top as one of the scarier ones. So if you’re looking for a scare, this novel might be a treat.

The MC and ML are pretty goofy. You have an ML who likes to crossdress and yes, if he crossdresses and enters the door, he would become a partial woman (with male parts still intact of course, but the wigs would become real hairs xD). As part of the ‘initiation’ into their team, the ML forced all the members to crossdress at least once (MC had to act as a deaf girl in one of the doors because he couldn’t change his voice to match that of a girl’s lol). 

Something I like is how the MC’s skills grow throughout the novel. At the start he relied on ML to take him through the doors. Eventually, he learned to be on his own, and even became the one that other characters turn to for leadership in later doors. 

Shortcoming:

There’s really one big thing that irked me about the story, and that’s the ending. Don’t get me wrong, I like the idea of the 11th door where the characters have to choose between living in an alternate universe where everyone who has died in the door is alive again, but cannot remember the ones that are still alive, versus returning to the real world and confronting the deaths of their friends. I also like the idea of it being somewhat of a Judgment process, where monsters and people from the past doors appear to harm or help the MC/ML. It ties into the whole idea of not hurting others mindlessly in previous doors as one would be judged on their morality eventually. 

That said, the alternate universe where those who died are alive again sorts of defeats the purpose of the other doors. Why bother struggling to survive in the doors if one could simply skip to this alternate universe? I feel like the stakes could definitely be amped up by making the characters realize that these people who are supposedly alive in the alternate world are just bad replicas of their past selves (similar to the danmei Mist). 

Also, the concept of ML being some door NPC right at the very end doesn’t sit well with me. I’m not opposed to the idea if it had been more integrated into the story, but it felt like the author toyed with the idea and forced it in the very end.

[brokehorrorfan]

Leviathan will be released on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray on February 20 via Kino Lorber. Directed by George P. Cosmatos (Rambo: First Blood Part II, Tombstone), the 1989 sci-fi/horror film includes reversible artwork.

David Webb Peoples (Blade Runner, 12 Monkeys) and Jeb Stuart (Die Hard, The Fugitive) wrote the script. Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays, Daniel Stern, Ernie Hudson, Michael Carmine, Lisa Eilbacher, and Héctor Elizondo star.

Leviathan has been newly restored in 4K from the 35mm interpositive with Dolby Vision/HDR and 5.1 surround and lossless 2.0 audio. Special features are listed below.

Disc 1 - 4K UHD:

Audio commentary by film historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson (new)

Disc 2 - Blu-ray:

Audio commentary by film historians Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson (new)

Leviathan: Monster Melting Pot - 2014 making-of featurette

Interview with actor Ernie Hudson

Interview with actor Hector Elizondo

Theatrical trailer

On the dark and forbidding ocean floor, the crew of a deep-sea mining rig discovers a sunken freighter that harbors a deadly secret: a genetic experiment gone horribly wrong. With a storm raging on the surface and no hope of rescue, the captain (Peter Weller) and his team are propelled into a spine-tingling battle for survival against the ultimate foe—a hideous monster that cannot die... and lives to kill.

Pre-order Leviathan.

[worldwidevoltage]

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[usagirotten]

The Last Unicorn Gets 4K UHD and Blu-ray Treatment from Shout! Studios

Fans of the classic animated fantasy film, The Last Unicorn, have a reason to celebrate. Shout! Studios has officially announced the release of a 4K UHD and Blu-ray Disc combo pack for the beloved movie. This new edition promises to bring the timeless tale to life with unparalleled visual and audio quality, ensuring that both new audiences and longtime fans can experience the magic like never before. A Timeless Classic Reimagined Originally released in 1982, The Last Unicorn is based on the acclaimed novel by Peter S. Beagle. The film, known for its enchanting story and unique animation style, has garnered a devoted following over the decades. With its blend of fantasy, adventure, and heartfelt moments, the movie has remained a treasured piece of animation history.  Enhanced Viewing Experience The new 4K UHD and Blu-ray combo pack from Shout! Studios promises a significant upgrade from previous releases. The 4K UHD format offers four times the resolution of standard HD, delivering crystal-clear images and vibrant colors. This release will also feature remastered audio, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves in the film's captivating soundtrack and voice performances. Special Features and Extras In addition to the enhanced picture and sound quality, the combo pack is expected to include a variety of special features. These may include behind-the-scenes documentaries, interviews with the cast and crew, and a retrospective on the film's enduring legacy. These extras will provide a deeper understanding of the film's creation and its impact on the world of animation. The film was animated by the Japanese animation studio Topcraft, which later worked with Hayao Miyazaki on the 1984 film adaptation of his Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind manga.

A Must-Have for Collectors and Newcomers Alike Whether you're a longtime admirer of The Last Unicorn or discovering it for the first time, the 4K UHD and Blu-ray combo pack from Shout! Studios is a must-have addition to any collection. The high-quality presentation and array of special features make this release a fitting tribute to a film that has captivated audiences for generations. Release Date and Availability Shout! Studios has yet to announce an official release date for the combo pack, but fans are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates. Pre-orders are expected to begin soon, offering enthusiasts the chance to secure their copy ahead of the general release. Conclusion With the upcoming release of The Last Unicorn in 4K UHD and Blu-ray, Shout! Studios continues to honor the legacy of classic films by providing fans with the best possible viewing experience. This release is poised to reignite the magic of The Last Unicorn for a new generation and ensure that the story of the last unicorn remains timeless for years to come. For more information and updates, visit the official Shout! Studios website and follow their social media channels. Read the full article