Welcome to Home Again, where each and every Tuesday I’ll be running down some of the best genre releases coming to home media.
All info is from the excellent Blu-ray.com. This isn’t every genre release, just the ones I find interesting. For the full list, follow that link.
4/30
The Corruption of Chris Miller (1973) – Vinegar Syndrome – Vinegar Syndrome’s releases tend to sound pretty weird and this one is no exception, though it might be less weird than some.
It appears to be a Spanish film from a director named Juan Antonio Bardem. It’s the ol’ “killer might be a dude, might be a lady” story. The distinguishing feature is that the killer uses a scythe.
There’s not much to draw my interest here other than whatever the heck is going on in this creepy still:
That house is made for creepy and thankfully that Charlie Chaplin cosplayer is filling the need.
Dragged Across Concrete (2018) – Lionsgate – Before you roll your eyes at the title like I did, know that this was directed by the guy that did Bone Tomahawk, which if you haven’t seen it is essential horror/Western viewing. It’s badass.
The idea of the same guy making an ensemble crime thriller about two cops who have to find jobs in the criminal underworld after the media destroys them is very exciting. Especially with this crazy ensemble cast – Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, Michael Jai White, Jennifer Carpenter, Laurie Holden, Don Johnson, and the great and powerful Udo Kier.
I almost don’t want to watch this because I don’t see how it can live up to my expectations. But I just preordered it anyway.
Grandmother’s House (1989) – Vinegar Syndrome – While “directed by the co-writer of Waterworld” may not seem like the best credential…
I don’t know where I was going with that sentence. But I’m interested in what looks like it could be a much better version of that M. Night Shyamalan movie where everybody said, “No, no, really – this one is good” and they were all wrong. I realize that doesn’t narrow things down very much, but Grandmother’s House is about a boy whose grandma might have some sinister secrets.
The Brain (1988) – Shout Factory – This has got to be one of the most famous VHS covers of all time. If you doubt that, then ask yourself why Shout Factory is using what looks to be the exact same art.
The Brain is another video store horror section classic that I know I’ve seen but can’t really remember, which means I probably rented it once and one of two things happened – either it sucked or I just didn’t get it. And that’s a pretty great 80s horror cover, so my guess is it sucked.
Let me know if I’m wrong in the comments.
Kuffs (1992) – Shout Factory – Kuffs might not be one of Slater’s best-remembered movies, but it features him at his smarmy, charmy best alongside Milla Jovovich (hot off of Return to the Blue Lagoon har har har) and Ashley Judd (hot off of Star Trek: The Next Generation).
I’m not going to say this is a great movie because it isn’t, but it’s fun enough if you can catch it streaming or on cable. The Harold Faltermeyer score alone is worth your time.
Sixteen Candles 35th Anniversary Limited Edition (1984) – Universal Studios – If you’re going to judge a movie from 1984 based on the ideals of 2019, you should probably just move on.
If, however, you are capable of having fun and enjoying things while understanding that much of it is sort of insensitive, this John Hughes classic is a cornerstone of great 80s entertainment.
I’m not a fan of this new cover at all and in general don’t care for DigiBooks and the extra shelf space they take up unless the content is really cool like the Into the Spider-Verse release. But if you don’t own this and aren’t worried about shelf space it’s a bargain at fifteen bucks.
Fantômas 1960s Collection (1964-1967) – Kino Lorber – Fantômas is a French character that has been around in books, comics, and films since 1911. Depictions of the masked criminal have varied in tone about as much as Batman’s many different iterations.
This collection includes the three lighter, almost campy movies from the 60s where the villain was almost an anti-James Bond, utilizing gadgets and exotic vehicles.
I’ve only seen Fantômas because for years I had difficulty finding Fantômas Unleashed and Fantômas vs. Scotland Yard. I’m looking forward to not just seeing these films but seeing them in Kino Lorber’s usual upgraded format.
Death Warmed Up (1984) – Severin Films – Clocking in at a tight 80 minutes, Death Warmed Up sounds like a great film for your Summer Horrorthon:
Locked away in a psychiatic hospital for the murder of his parents, no one believed Michael Tucker when he told them he was programmed by a genetic surgeon. Released into the world, he wants revenge. Dr Archer Howell has been experimenting on humans at Trans Cranial Applications, drilling the skulls of his patients and injecting drugs into their brain to create psychotic killing-machines. Isolated on an island and left to his own devices, Dr Howell is about to have a deadly visitor…
Other Titles Worth Noting
Police Story/Police Story 2, Darkroom, Tarantula (1955)
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