Scream Factory Release Round-Up 2012-13

I previously posted this comment on the Sideshow Review Facebook page, but think it ties in well with this post:

It's kind of sad that Intervision Pictures, Severin Films, Blue Underground, and Mondo Macabro (which all used to be leaders in releasing cult titles and forgotten gems) have all been pretty quiet this year and aren't releasing any new stuff, while Scream Factory, Scorpion Releasing, Synapse Films, and even Code Red continue to churn out quality films monthly. And, with Mya Communications and One 7 Pictures offerings being few and far between too, CAV Distributing Corp. (which already distributes Troma, Cult Epics, One 7, Synapse, and others), will start releasing some of New Horizons old catalog and more Roger Corman films next year.

But, for this post, I'd like to highlight Scream Factory’s releases (Shout Factory’s horror movie branch), which includes some long, sought after titles, several making their debut on DVD and Blu-Ray.

Scream Factory has been announcing new titles every Friday on their Facebook page, and while I am a follower, I thought it would be convenient to compile a list, as old posts will eventually drop off, and I don’t want us to miss out on any of them.

Already released Collector’s Editions:

Halloween 2&3

Funhouse (1981) and Terror Train (1980)

Nov 6th:

They Live (1988)

December 11th:

The Island (1980) and Death Valley (1982)

January 22nd, 2013:
**Update: The Nest has been updated to February 19, 2013**

Deadly Blessing (1981) and The Nest (1988)

February 2013:

TerrorVision (1986)/Video Dead (1987) Double-Feature

Prison (1988)

March 2013:

From Beyond (1986)

Phantasm 2 (1988)

More 2013:

Evictors (1979)
Town that Dreaded Sundown (1976)
X-Ray aka Hospital Massacre (1980)
Schizoid (1980)
Godsend (1980)
Vampire Lovers (1970)
Incredible Melting Man (1977)
Scanners II: The New Order (1991)
Scanners III: The Takeover (1992)
Horror Show (1989)
Vagrant (1992)
Fog (1980)
Burning (1981)
Howling (1981)
Lifeforce (1985)
Night of the Comet (1984)
Day of the Dead (1985) Collector's Edition

I think this is a complete list to date, and as more are announced, I’ll update it. Funhouse has already gotten hi-def treatment through Arrow Films, but unless you were lucky enough to snag one from the first batch, which were region-free, you’ll need the right equipment to view, as it’s now locked Region B. Second Sight Films UK has also announced a Blu-Ray release of From Beyond for next year, along with Re-Animator (already released by Image Entertainment), Bride of Re-Animator, and Society, and chances are, at least one may get Steelbook treatment.

Olive Films, which has been releasing some of Paramount’s titles (The Boogens), could get a shot at The Keep, and Synapse Films has rights to The Kindred, while Twilight Time has already mentioned Christine on Blu-Ray for Spring 2013.

With all these great titles getting released, you can finally replace your old worn out VHS and revisit them in remastered/hi-def versions, or experience them for the first time (as many I will be). So, what titles would you like to see on DVD/Blu-Ray that have yet to be put out or are now out-of-print (horror themed or not)?

My buddy, Jeff aka J3, formerly of The Rootdown and now No Sleep Till Wolflin fame, mentioned the BMX movie RAD from 1986.

The new "angry" version of SF's logo:

Seducers aka Top Sensation (1969)

Frequently, I track down films for friends, trying to get the best quality for the best price. Too often, these films haven't been released on disc, so VHS to DVD rips are bought from trusted sellers. While I like it when they come with artwork, it isn't a must, as picture and sound quality are more important. Some may feel this is a bad (and illegal) way to get movies, but I view it as providing a service to extreme cinephiles like myself. If there were official releases available at reasonable prices, I'd get those, but often times, only a tape was released, which may have never even made it stateside, or the DVD is out-of-print and going for gouging rates.

My recent task was to find a copy of The Seducers aka Top Sensation (1969). Already having seen or owned other Edwige Fenech films, I decided to watch it before passing it on. While the eye catcher should have been Miss Fenech, the tighter body award goes to the lesser endowed Rosalba Neri, better known for her roles in Amuck, 99 Women, Lady Frankenstein, French Sex Murders, and Girl in Room 2A (recently released by Mondo Macabro).

Rosalba (left) and Edwige (right) in full seduction mode
The basic premise of the movie is, of course, seduction, the rich using their money to control/seduce others, and murder. There’s a bit of incest too, but other than the constant sex set-ups (sex-ups?), which do get boring, Rosalba playing a shoot 'em up cowgirl, and a borderline beastiality scene where Edwige lets a goat explore her nakedness, there’s not much to talk about here. Sadly, it just falls in the pile with the other mildly erotic Euro movies of that era.

The captain's cap must have been the bait and switch
According to IMDb, Edwige had 7 other film roles that year, with the only recognizable one being Madame Bovary aka Sins of Madame Bovary, which was released by One 7 Pictures last year. Sure, I enjoy gratuitous nudity as much (maybe even a tad more) than the next man, but I’ve never really thought she was gorgeous, and if I remember right, Madame Bovary was a snoozer. After seeing this and a more recent picture of her on IMDb, I would argue that she has gotten more attractive over the years. Plus, her and Rosalba both had a certain ugliness throughout the film that even the T&A couldn’t mask.

If you’re a hardcore Fenech (or Neri) fan, maybe it's worth tracking down a bootleg as I did, but there’s still a chance One 7 or Mya Communications could pick this up for release, as it would fit nicely with the rest of their catalog.