Oliver Carter

With the current state of the DVD industry it is hard to predict what will be released in the coming year.  What follows is a list of my most anticipated DVD/Blu-Ray releases of 2010.  There will no doubt be others added over the year but here are the ones that have caught my eye so far:

Dark Night of the Scarecrow (Frank De Felitta, 1981) Lionsgate, USA: DVD. Date TBC

A little known television movie starring Larry Drake and Charles Durning.  This was originally going to be released on Blu-Ray and DVD by Image Entertainment but since they are currently considering filing for bankruptcy it looks as if Lionsgate will be attaining the rights to this cult classic.

Elvis: The Movie (John Carpenter, 1979) Shout Factory, USA: DVD. 2 March 2010

Issues with music rights have prevented this little seen John Carpenter film, which was the first of many collaborations with Kurt Russell, from being released.  Hopefully it will be the full uncut version and will feature a typically excellent commentary track from Russell and Carpenter.  Shout Factory are probably the American DVD label to watch in 2010.

The Exorcist (William Friedkin, 1973) Warner Brothers, USA: Blu-Ray. October 2010

One of my favourite films of all time, I just hope that Friedkin doesn't continue his unwelcome trend of tampering with his original edit as he has done with Cruising (1980) and the Blu-Ray release of The French Connection (1971).  Warner have confirmed that both the 1973 and 2000 versions will be included. 

Kingdom of the Spiders (John 'Bud' Cardos, 1977) Shout Factory, USA: DVD. 19 January 2010

William Shatner as a veterinarian trying to save a town from tarantulas.  What is there not to like?  This will be the third time I have purchased a DVD of this film.  What makes this release particularly attractive is the special features; an interview with the film's spider wrangler (what a great job title), an interview with Shatner and a commentary track with Cardos.  Another great offering from Shout Factory.
 
So Sweet, So Dead (Roberto Bianchi, 1972) Camera Obscura, Germany: DVD. February 28 2010

Aside from the forthcoming releases from maligned American label Mya Communication (I will discuss this in a forthcoming blogpost), Camera Obscura could be the label to keep an eye on for releases of rare gialli.  That cover art is sublime.

Suspiria (Dario Argento, 1977) Cine Excess, UK: Blu-Ray. Today!

This should be with me tomorrow morning courtesy of Amazon.  Advance reviews have praised this anticipated release.  What next, Cine-Excess?

Thriller: The Complete Collection, Image, USA: DVD. TBC

With Image threatening to declare bankruptcy it is doubtful whether this release will happen which is disappointing considering that Tim Lucas and other respected genre enthusiasts have been recording audio commentaries for the release.  Perhaps Shout Factory can come to the rescue?

The Twilight Zone Complete Collection, Image, USA: Blu-Ray. TBC

Again, a release announced by Image.  I have been putting off completing my Twilight Zone collection on DVD ever since it was rumoured that there would be a Blu-Ray release.  Hopefully it will appear and will look as good as the Star Trek and The Prisoner Blu-Ray releases.

Urban Action Collection Warner Brothers, USA: DVD. 12 January 2010

I first saw Black Belt Jones (Robert Clouse, 1974) on VHS in the late 80's and loved Jim "Bullshit Mr Han Man" Kelly in the lead role.  It has never appeared legally on DVD and is part of this great value four-film Urban Action Collection.   It contains other Blaxploitation action classics such as Hot Potato (Oscar Williams, 1976), Three The Hard Way (Gordon Parks Jr, 1974) and Black Sampson (Charles Bail, 1974).

Who Dares Wins (Ian Sharp, 1982) Arrow, UK: Blu-Ray. 8 March 2010

Who would have expected this to be released on Blu-Ray in 2010?  Another film I remember fondly from my youth.  Lewis Collins is great in the lead role and the build up to the action filled finale is well executed. 

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What other releases would I like to see in 2010?  Fingers crossed for the following:

The Amazing Spider-Man Live Action Television series (something tells me that Marvel do not want this to see the light of day on optical disc.  I prefer it to Raimi's recent offerings).
Cold Case Files: The Complete Collection (morbid I know but this is the best true crime television series I have seen).
The Equalizer: Series Two onwards
High Crime (Enzo G. Castellari, 1973)
One Step Beyond: Seasons Two and Three
Profondo Rosso (Dario Argento, 1975) Blu-Ray (hopefully the Blu-Ray release of Suspria will lead to some of Argento's other classics being released on the HD format).

                   

Not that I am one for celebrating the turning of the clock but here's a happy new year to you.  What follows is a list of my favourite films from the past decade.  There may not be the most aesthetically pleasing films but these are the ones that I have enjoyed the most.  So here we are, in no particular order:

Dead Man's Shoes (Shane Meadows, 2004)
Wedding Crashers (David Dobkin, 2005)
Zodiac (David Fincher, 2007)
In Bruges (Martin McDonagh, 2008)
Clerks 2 (Kevin Smith, 2006)
Memories of Murder (Bong Joon-ho, 2003)
Session 9 (Brad Anderson, 2001)
Taken (Pierre Morel, 2008)
Man on Wire (James Marsh, 2008)
Pan's Labyrinth (Guillermo del Toro, 2006)

Many films often claim to be "the scariest film ever" yet the majority do not come close to such claims.  Paranormal Activity, however, lives up to the hype which has made the film incredibly successful over in the US, grossing over $61,580,588 thus far; not bad when you consider that the film was made for a paltry $11,000, or $15,000 depending on your source.  I have been anticipating the release of this film since seeing the well constructed trailer over a month ago and finally got to view it on Halloween night.

The premise is simple.  Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat) believe that their house is haunted, Katie being a magnet to supernatural activity since a young a child.  Technology savvy Micah decides to setup recording equipment in the bedroom to capture any paranormal activity that might take place.  The activity escalates as Micah becomes more confrontational to the spirit, resulting in a truly horrific climax. 

The film is clearly influenced by The Blair Witch Project (1999), which draws many comparisons particularly in its independent origins, and many of the popular ghost hunting television shows, such as Britain's Most Haunted and America's Ghost Hunters.  A disclaimer opens the film informing the audience that the footage was "donated" by the Los Angeles Police Department, evoking memories of the found footage narrative present in films such as The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield (2008), Cannibal Holocaust (1980) and The Last Broadcast (1998).  The actors put in believable performances, Micah Sloat's conventional alpha male is particularly effective.  But it is Katie Featherston who is the stand-out performer.  It is refreshing to see an actress who does not conform to the typical Hollywood female stereotype, another important factor in making the film more realistic. 

And yes, the film is very scary.  There are numerous well-executed scare scenes; the old adage 'less is more' is certainly followed here.  The night vision bedroom camcorder footage, shot with one static camera, holds the viewers attention as you wait for something to happen in the frame.  The intensity increases as it is revealed where the demon may have come from.  This results in a memorable and chilling ending which stays with you long after the end of the film.  I should add that the version of the film I saw had the 'original' 2007 ending which I believe is more haunting, if you forgive the pun, than the current theatrical 2009 ending.  The 2009 ending, which bears the fingerprints of the master of rhetoric Steven Spielberg, is certainly more theatrical but not as chilling.  Apparently there are some other differences in the 2009 edit which cleans up some of the original special effects. 

I gave a lecture on the relationship between fandom and marketing last week and I used the promotional strategy of Paranormal Activity as a case study.  In the US, audiences had to "demand" for the film to be shown in their area by visiting the official website and clicking on the appropriate link.  Accompanied by an effective viral video, this unique strategy saw the film rise to the top of the US box office in four weeks.  Word of mouth certainly added to the popularity of the film.  It remains to be seen whether a similar strategy will be used here in the UK but I cannot help but feel that the Paramount has missed an opportunity by not releasing the film in time for Halloween.  The film is scheduled for release in the UK on November 27.

You will hear many people's thoughts on this film over the coming weeks.  After our viewing on Halloween night we found it hard to sleep, partly down to the sounds coming from our inconsiderate neighbours at 3am in the morning.  This now joins Ghostwatch (1992) as one of the most frightening films I have ever seen. 

Here is my intended viewing for my annual Halloween horror movie marathon:

1. Night of the Living Dead (George Romero, 1968) Blu-Ray
   
2. The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue (Jorge Grau, 1974) Blu-Ray
   
3. Paranormal Activity (Oren Peli, 2007)
4. Giallo (Dario Argento, 2009)

Happy Halloween everyone.

I finally watched Greg McLean's Rogue on Friday night via the recently released region-free UK Blu-Ray disc.  I had really enjoyed his earlier film Wolf Creek (2005) which starred the excellent John Jarrett as the brutal Mick Taylor and was eager to see this crocodile on the loose film.  What is particularly striking about McLean's films is use of scenery.  Both Rogue and Wolf Creek are beautifully shot and make good use of their locations.  McLean is skilled at making the picturesque Australian countryside seem both claustrophobic and terrifying.

A group of tourists on a boat tour respond to an SOS flare.  Unbeknownst to the the tour guide they enter the territory of an aggressive crocodile that destroys the tour boat.  Stuck an island with the tide coming in the tourists have to find away to get to shore and survive the giant croc.

Whilst it may not be entirely original and it is in keeping with B movie traditions, Rogue achieves what many recent blockbusters cannot; a constant air of tension throughout.  Clearly inspired by Alien (1979), Jaws (1975) and the lesser known other Aussie croc film The Dark Age (1987), McLean follows the old adage of 'less is more' by using the crocodile sparingly until the final moments of the film.  The cast turn in strong performances, particularly John Jarrett who is in a completely different role compared to his psychotic Mick Taylor from Wolf Creek.

The UK Blu-Ray disc released by Icon offers a near flawless presentation of the film.  Both audio and video are top notch; the scenery of the gorge looking especially awesome.   The extras are also worthy of attention, particularly the fascinating 40 minute making of. 

So, if you are looking for a good old fashioned animal on the loose horror movie for Halloween look no further.  It may not be perfect but it if certainly a fun way to spend 90 minutes of your time.  I anxiously await Greg McLean's next offering.

1. Zodiac (David Fincher)
2. This is England (Shane Meadows)
3. Bug (William Friedkin)
4. Control (Anton Corjbin)
5. Death Sentence (James Wan)
6. Knocked Up (Judd Apatow)
7. Tell No One (Guillaume Canet)
8. Red Road (Andrea Arnold)
9. The Lookout (Scott Frank)
10. Sicko (Michael Moore)

I have spent the majority of the year working my way through a lot of older films at the expense of recent releases. I thought Zodiac was superb as was This is England and Anton Corjbin’s Control was absolutely superb, every shot is a work of art. I am sure some might be surprised with me including Death Sentence but I do love a good revenge film and this one of the few films that met my expectations. Knocked Up was good fun, I found it to be much funnier than Superbad and one of the better comedies I have seen in the past few years. William Friedkin returned to form with the psychological thriller Bug and Joseph Gordon Levitt once again proved that he is one of the most interesting young actors in Hollywood with his excellent role in The Lookout. I expect that there will be additions to this list once I have seen Eastern Promises, The Lives of Others and Planet Terror.

The biggest disappointments of the year were Outlaw (Nick Love), Die Hard 4.0 (Len Wiseman) and Death Proof (Quentin Tarantino). As I wrote in my blog post, Outlaw was an atrocity that could have been so much better. A good cast, excluding Neanderthal Danny Dyer of course, was well and truly wasted. The only good thing Death Proof had going for it was Kurt Russell otherwise it was a two-hour bore. Surely Tarantino is still capable of better things than this?

In my next post I will move on to look at my favourite DVD releases of the year.