Home Video Exclusives

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - September 12th, 2017


The Mummy (2017)
Exclusive collector's set and packaging; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99 (don't ask, I don't know)

Captain Underpants
Free child's cape with BD or 4K BD purchase; $19.99/27.99

Creature From The Black Lagoon
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $14.99

The Bride Of Frankenstein
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $14.99

Dracula
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $14.99

Frankenstein
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $14.99

The Wolfman
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $14.99

The Mummy
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $14.99

[B]The Invisible Man
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $14.99

Psycho: Complete 4-Movie Collection
Exclusive store release; BD only $29.99

[JohnIan101]

Target - August 29th, 2017


The Lion King: The Walt Disney Signature Collection
Exclusive 32 page storybook packaging; BD/DVD/DC combo $24.99

Batman & Harley Quinn
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

Baywatch
Exclusive packaging; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

[JohnIan101]

Target - September 5th, 2017


Paw Patrol: The Pirate Rescue!
Exclusive packaging and eye patch; DVD only $9.99

- - - - - - - - - - -

CD available Sep. 8th

"Thomas Rhett - Life Changes" with 3 exclusive bonus tracks $13.99

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense - Shopping For Identity Part I


[An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on May 7th, 2015 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

This outing we encounter the next generation of mall rats in "The American Mall"...



"The American Mall: Extended Edition" was released on home video on August 12th, 2008.

It streeted against "Smart People, "Prison Break: Season Three" and "Roe's Room".

This release originally came with a non-embossed slipcover which mirrored the wraparound with a transparent DVD case. There were two inserts. 1) Advertisement for "The American Mall" merchandise; t-shirts and tote bags. The other side was an ad for the CD soundtrack. 2) An advertisement with coupon for "Clean & Clear Advantage: Blackhead Eraser" (acne cream); the coupon, $1.00 off a cream refill pack. This expired on August 31st, 2009 - the ad was single sided.
- - -

There was a single exclusive from Sears, a bonus disc.



The two disc set came in a transparent case with slipcover, which also mirrored the wraparound. The extras have a run time of 41:48 minutes, presentation in widescreen (minus "Making Of 'Get Your Rock On' Music Video"). Sold on release week for $12.99. The inside of the wraparound has minor artwork.

My favorite bit was the cast playing with "Rock Band" during their down time. Actress Blyth Auffarth trying real hard to play the drums - cute.

MTV's website sold the regular edition (single disc) on release week for $2.79 (not including shipping).

There were a couple of additional offers:

Circuit City had a deal; purchase the DVD ($14.99) with the CD soundtrack ($9.99) for twenty dollars - the same receipt. Best Buy had their own; purchase the movie ($12.99) with "The Hills: The Complete Third Season" DVD ($29.99) and receive a $10.00 gift card - the same receipt.

Found out about this title two years after the fact. I bought my exclusive off Ebay, new in January 2010 (yes, that anal) - a blind buy. I paid roughly six bucks for it, including shipping.

This was a big deal for Sears at the time.

Stars Nina Dobrev, Rob Mayes, Rodney To and Bresha Webb appeared in their weekly circular as well as their online site - wearing Sears fashion - with the tag line, "Don't just go back. Arrive." For the store's annual back-to-school shopping season.

It's ironic (non-hipster) that telefilm's tagline was "Love And Dreams Are Not For Sale", but they were certainly on the racks in Sears.

Stores across the country had "experience zones" (not making that up); mannequins dressed as characters - created by the musical's costume designer, Cynthia Summers. Various licensed merchandise; (2009 wall calendar, t-shirts [featuring Weinerland], caps, beanies, purses and above mentioned tote bags) and the exclusive DVD set. Plus various online content from the film's website crossed over into Sears' own tangent site, www.arrivelounge.com.

They were expecting a blockbuster like Disney had with the "High School Musical" movies. There was a special screening with stars at Sears' flagship store in Chicago for associates in July of that year.

It had a huge marketing campaign behind it; radio promotions (with the cast; TV and print ad participation) with giveaways and "VIP Access Cards" from the store for members (teen customers), special deals. Six Flags amusement park was saturated with MTV advertisements.

*slowly shakes head* It did not pay off for Sears. This did poorly in the ratings (roughly 436,000 viewers). Man, they must have lost a ton of money on this failure.



Originally Wal-Mart was going to have the DVD exclusively (first month only) - regular version (above). But the deal fell through. I'm sure they were glad they dodged that bullet.

A quick note; Wal-Mart later sold the film for $3.00 in July of 2009.

- - - - - - - - - -

Rant.

Want to clear something - my scanner.

The scan required work to get an approximation. As you can see the color on their exclusive slipcover is different than the images in the poster and regular edition DVD; that is the true hue.

My scanner could not get that tone/tint right. Tried my best, but could not get it closer to the original. Sorry. Above my skill level.

Yeah, I should.

This was a big budget MTV musical that aired on August 11th, 2008 (following day came to home video). The original broadcast was longer than normal; two hours and ten minutes.



It centered on a group of teens working at the mall during the Summer before college. We follow Ally Shepherd (Dobrev formerly on CW's "The Vampire Diaries") who works with her mom at the music store, "Stay Tuned Music". She want to become a singer, but her mother Erin (Yassmin Alers) who tried to be star and failed in her youth has put her foot down; she wants her daughter to attend business school.

Ally befriends Joey (Rob Mayes), a musician working in the mall's night custodial staff. Joey friends are also working with him; his band mates (naturally). The group is working there to save up money to replace stolen instruments.

Ally and Joey join forces to make their dreams reality, but as with all tales of love and passions there is a foil. This comes from the mall's owner's daughter, Madison Huxley (Autumn Reeser) who wants Joey for her new store - he'll be her centerpiece (the ads). Plus she has her eyes on Shepherd's shop, a prime location to expand her fashion boutique.

Madison plots to cripple the store into foreclosure - they're having money issues.

Plus a whole subplot about the "Huxley Mall Summer Slam" talent show. *laughs*

Look, I don't pretend this was great, it's not, it is predictable. A fluffy serving of cute and did entertained. So, it has that. Plus some of the songs are catchy, no worse than what counts as Top 40.

Just so you know...

Dobrev wasn't singing - her vocals are from Keely Hawkes Pressly. The feature was filmed in Salt Lake City and Provo in Utah. And this was Mayes' first film.

Issues - never explained. Sure they're trying to be progressive. But why does Ally have a Black mom? She's white, was the girl adopted? Was there an interracial relationship? What's going on? No answer given, that's like having a white girl with an Asian mom and having NO back story.

Plus were they hinting that Max Huxley (Al Sapienza) is Ally's father?

The character of Mia (Bianca Collins) troubles me; she's gonna get raped.

I'm serious.

Throughout the feature she's being quite open about her sexuality. She even does a song (not kidding), wanting to "sample them all", the boys.

As it turns out, Mia is a total tease - but an aggressive one. Her friends know, she's harmless. But someone else might not understand and get angry, in a bad way.

Let me explain; being feminine is fine and I encourage, not vanilla. A sexy outfit, showing a bit more skin that expected; lacy bra slightly seen under a sheer blouse that's has the top two button undone (Megan Fox). *smile* Quite nice. But it goes over the line when you're giving oral to a hot dog in a pretzel bun. Understand?

If they did a sequel, I wouldn't be surprised if Mia sang sad song and dance while getting her Rape Kit Exam; the attending nurse dancing too, supplying backup vocals. Yes, that's awful. But could happen if she continues on the path that she's on.

And no, I do not believe that's harsh. Be sexy, not a whore... in public.

Wait. Three things.

Leaves you answered with a question mark.

- Duran Duran

The last problem I have is zero resolution; was the music store saved? The talent show finishes and end credits come up. Did they lose it all? *shrugs*

There were plans for a Part II, but it fell through since it bombed.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tangent.

Now I want to talk about Rob Mayes.



He surprised me. Mayes looks like a young Tim Thomerson.

If they wanted to do a remake of "Trancers" (1984) "Metalstorm: The Destruction Of Jared-Syn" (1983), "Zone Troopers" (1986) or "Quark" (1977), this is the guy to do it.

Thomerson did a lot of sci-fi films.

Okay. "Quark" - the set-up (image [series] comparison above)...

The year is 2226; humanity has reached other worlds, we live among the stars. But an age old problem remains - waste; as in trash. So the UGSP was formed to remedy the situation, the United Galaxy Sanitation Patrol.

Space garbage men.



The organization has a fleet of garbage scows which use large robotic claws to pick up the mega sized trashed bags dumped by various ships - insert into their ship's gaping maw to be compressed for more bags - until the hold is full. Then return to base for dumping.

This was a real TV series!

[JohnIan101]

Target - September 12th, 2017


The Mummy (2017)
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
* Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $12.99

- - - - - - - - - -

CD available 9/15

"This Is Us: Music From The Series" with exclusive ZinePak $13.99

[JohnIan101]

Target - September 19th, 2017


Wonder Woman
Exclusive book packaging; BD/DVD/DC combo $27.99

- - - - - - - - - -

CD available 9/22/17

"The Killers - Wonderful, Wonderful" with exclusive bonus track $12.99

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense


[An earlier version of this PT was originally posted on May 23rd, 2012 on JoBlo's "DVD, Blu-Ray & Home Theater Discussion" forum.]

This week we face the start of the second American Civil War in "Jericho".

Hey, didn't we cover this before?

Yes and no. And before I continue - this is a short entry.



"Jericho: The Complete Series" was released on home video on June 17th, 2008.

It streeted against "The Nude Bomb", "Alive Or Dead" and "So I Married An Axe Murderer".



This is a re-packaging of seasons one and two (which also hit shelfs on June 17th) together. It came with a large cardboard slipcover holding both seasons. The set did not come with an insert.

- - -

There was an exclusive for the box set, but not a store one. As with the box set for "300", this includes an extra DVD only available within.



It came in a cardboard printed sleeve. The disc has a run time of 35:28 minutes. As far as I can tell these are the video shorts that was on the CBS website for the series' second season. Including the promo ad touting the return of the show. I'm okay with the extras.

Studio DVD releases often do not include the network website content. The sad news is that the bonus does not include the webisodes that made up the prequel called, "Jericho: Countdown". This followed Robert Hawkins before he and his family moved to Jericho, the agent gathering information before the nuclear attack. There were twenty-two episodes, all part of season one. You can find them on YouTube though.

The box set sold for $84.99.

- - - - - - - - - -

Notes.

There is another exclusive, a store one - Target. This was for season one (released on October 2nd, 2007) and was covered in the Past Tense entry for January 21st, 2016. Click here to read.

- - -

As with the virtual season three in comic book form (mentioned in the season one PT), there was a fourth season released by IDW Publishing.



A five issue mini-series (issue one has a limited edition glow-in-the-dark cover) was written by Kalinda Vazquez, overseen by the original television series’ writers. It picks up where season three left off. This is official canon.

Working so closely with the creators of the TV show has been a blast, their love of the material is contagious, and one of the reasons I think fans relate to it so fervently.

- Senior Editor (IDW), Scott Dunbier

Jake and Hawkins have finally come home to Jericho and we want to personally thank those fans and IDW for allowing that to happen.

- Series Executive Producer, Dan Shotz

All the issues have been released, finished a couple months ago. Season four had a July of 2012 start, but it didn't happen until August.



The issues will be collected in a trade paperback.

The graphic novel is 120 pages.

It had a July 9th, 2013 release for $19.99.



I am a bit surprised from one of the featurettes on the bonus disc. The train sequence from the cliff hanger, season one. It was a model, I thought it was CGI (granted some of it was, but I thought it was all computer generated). Very sway.

Need to get these virtual seasons, don't own any of them. Will there be a fifth? Don't know.

What do I know?

Next month the beast rises once more - Limited Edition Horror 2017 - one entry each week! Come back here on October 5th for your nightmares; bring extras lives.

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - September 26th, 2017


Transformers: The Last Knight
Exclusive steelbook; 4K BD only $28.99
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD/DC combo $21.99

Transformers: 5 Movie Collection
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DC combo $39.99

Creature From The Black Lagoon (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Bride Of Frankenstein (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

Dracula (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

Frankenstein (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Wolfman (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Mummy (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Invisible Man (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - October 3rd, 2017


Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD combo $24.99
Exclusive steelbook; 4K BD/BD/DC combo $34.99

Creature From The Black Lagoon (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Bride Of Frankenstein (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

Dracula (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

Frankenstein (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Wolfman (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Mummy (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

The Invisible Man (available now)
Exclusive steelbook with Alex Ross artwork; BD/DC only $17.99

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense - The Death Of Death Part II




I enjoyed Morgan, she what's the girl next door should be; pretty, capable and courageous. The one with the leg warmers, above.

And who didn't like Samuel (R.D. Reid)? Just wish his character lasted longer.

Enjoyed the voiceover cameos; Guillermo del Toro, Stephen King, Simon Pegg, Tom Savini and Wes Craven, appear over the radio - news reports. Even had bits from "Night" '68 too, the news caster, Charles Craig. Sway.

That was the other issue.

"Diary" was filmed in Canada where the dollar has more power. Some were upset, he didn't film in Pittsburgh once again. A simple truth - the movie could not be made in the States, not as they planned to shoot. End of story.

The first "Underworld" (2003) was shot in Hungary, otherwise wasn't cost effective. This is the new reality.



Folks continue to be upset/angry at Jason Creed (Joshua Close). 'I would never do that.' He was all about recording, documenting the madness around them; uploading the videos onto the net. Some have called him a douche.

This can be hard for people to understand. The need to archive an important moment for the world - for history. You can help, drop your camera and miss the incident or let it play out making sure that it is recorded for the planet to witness - to remember.

Jason's actions saved a lot of lives. His footage (played over the internet) contradicted official news reports and government statements; this is what's REALLY happening.

Not apathy; all the stuff he recorded; his friends were there around him; they gave him opportunity to chronicle.

The perfect 'real life' example.

Go to YouTube, type in "Vietnam Airlift Last Flight Out Of Da Nang" in search. Or if you know how, "0eC73rZPH3Q". It's still there (as of writing), I checked. Uploaded on March 20th, 2011 by Jetwashed.

What is it?

It's a CBS broadcast from 1975. Journalist Bruce Dunning, cameraman Mike Marriott and soundman Mai Van Duc were on the very last flight from Da Nang; mass chaos happening aground. The plane's door was still open as it sped up the runway - people still trying to run inside.

Some were helped, other fell off to their fates. Dunning and his crew documented the event. To show the world what had happened that history making afternoon. Just as Creed was doing. Men and women like him inform us, try to expose the truth to the public. If you have peeves over "Diary" this should not be one of them.

Another issue was Professor (University of Pittsburgh) Andrew Maxwell (Scott Wentworth). How convenient, he's is an archer.

It was explained, the man was in the service in the U.K., he probably took archery classes in his youth. Which is why he's good with a gun (army training). I get the impressing he was sicken with the things he saw and perhaps did (there is a reference, "it becomes so easy to kill"), left the service AND country, becoming a teacher in the States.

By the way, Canadian military still teaches archery.

- - - - - - - - - -

Tangent.

It's pretty straight forward, but some are confused; believing all the Romero films tie together - not the case.

The first iteration was a trilogy which became a quadrilogy:



The modern/contemporary zombie concept, now a trope started with...

"Night Of The Living Dead" (1968); the undead contagion begins. The movie concerns itself with the events through the eyes of (mostly) random people who have taken refuge in a now abandoned farmhouse in a rural part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This is day three of the infection, now becoming an epidemic.

"Dawn Of The Dead" (1978); three weeks have passed since the events of "Night"; the undead crisis is getting out of hand, the authorities are overwhelmed. We are witnessing the fabric of civilization coming undone. Now following four survivors who take refuge in a fortified mall in Pittsburgh.

"Day Of The Dead" (1985); undetermined number of years have passed since the events in "Dawn". Humanity is facing extinction. As Dr. Logan says, "400,000 to 1" (conservative estimate), the ratio of undead to the living. We follow a group of survivors; military and scientists who were gathered in the last minute to find a solution in an underground, repurposed facility. This is where film series originally ended, a bleak conclusion. This entry took place in Florida, not in Pennsylvania.

"Land Of The Dead" (2005); undetermined number of decades have passed since the events of "Day". People have been born, only knowing the world of the insatiable resurrected. Humanity consolidated itself, retook urban areas, created (mostly) safe zones. Fiddler's Green is one of several such places around the planet. We follow a group of city soldiers and mercenaries who were tasked, retrieve a stolen survival tank, Dead Reckoning which will be used against Fiddler's Green by a terrorist. This is where the franchise starting with "Night" '68 concludes. This was a previous Past Tense, L.E. Horror no less (Part I, Part II and Part II)

- - -



The first official reboot happened with "Night Of The Living Dead" in 1990. The remake could've restarted the Romero undead series. It failed.

Production was plagued with various problems - watered down for an R rating by the MPAA. And bombed at the box office when you count the money spent on promotion; made with a budget of $4,200,000 [estimated]. It grossed over 5.8 million during its U.S. theatrical run.

In fact it would be years later before director (and effects man) Tom Savini would helm another motion picture - he got so burned.

This reboot is a stand alone feature, not connected to the previous films. As with the original, takes place at the start of the infection, once again - Pittsburgh, PA.

- - -



The second official reboot occurred in 2008 (as earlier written)...

"Diary Of The Dead"; once again on Day One. This new series is NOT linked to the Romero undead films that came before. No reason given, the situation is what it is - the dead have risen. Events takes place in Pennsylvania once more.

"Survival Of The Dead" (2009); this follows the characters which were briefly introduced in "Diary", the AWOL National Guardsmen who robbed our main characters in their Winnebago RV. It is set a few weeks after the last movie and mostly off the coast of Delaware on Plum Island. Where our carpetbaggers encounter two family clans at war with each other - over what to do with the dead.

And that's where we are, uncertain if another sequel will get made. Romero has passed away a three months ago. There was some talk about following the Tracy Thurman character (played by Amy Lalonde). When we last saw her in "Diary", she had taken off alone in the RV - future unknown.



In 2011, George A. Romero bought the rights to a horror novel, "The Zombie Autopsies: Secret Notebooks From The Apocalypse" by Steven C. Schlozman, M.D. (published by Grand Central Publishing). Yup written by a real doctor.

In August of 2013 he finished the big screen adaptation. And it so far has halted there; the screenplay is being sent to various studios, hoping one of them will bankroll the project. No takers.

I finished the script and talked to Schloz about it. He approved it, so we sent it to my agents and they sent it around. You never know what’s going to happen, but it’s out in circulation and I hope it works out.

- Romero

Sadly since he passed, it's unknown if this will ever come to big screen. Just to be clear, it is a completely separate motion picture, NOT related to any of Romero's undead franchises.

Adaptation centers on Dr. Stanley Blum hired by the U.N. to find a cure to the zombie plague that is ravaging the planet (two thirds of the world have been overtaken). He and his crew are given a remote island, Bassas da India to conduct the research. Besides the obvious, he has a special interest in finding a remedy, he's been infected.

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense - The Death Of Death Part III


Just for complete sake.

Rumor/fan theory that "Diary" was actually a prequel to "Land".

But that got shot down.

A fatality at Fiddler's Green is a security guard, fellow named Brubaker. Played by Alan Van Sprang - who played a guy nicknamed 'Colonel' in "Diary"; leader of the thieving National Guardsmen.



The notion - he found a home there, used his skills for a living. If Brubaker is the same guy as in "Diary", he should've looked much older, decades senior. The events in "Diary" was Day One. But it's twenty, maybe thirty years after the zombie apocalypse in "Land".

Not the same character.

In "Survival" he calls himself, Nicotine Crockett.

You get a gold star for effort. *nods*

- - -

Another fan theory tries to connect "Dawn" with "Land"; that the bikers collecting goods in "Dawn" were working for Kaufman (Dennis Hopper), a younger man.

- - -

The origin of the virus is unknown, nobody knows how it came about.

Yeah, I'm gonna tell you what else. You ain't never gonna figure it out, just like they never figured out why the stars are where they're at. It ain't mankind's job to figure that stuff out. So what you're doing is a waste of time, Sarah. And time is all we got left, you know.

- John (from "Day Of The Dead")

But...

These are excepts from my "Night Of The Living Dead DVD Retrospective" where I cover NOTLD DVDs, LDs, BDs, CDs and books. An ongoing compendium, well researched - updated today with a BD entry!

Two answers were given - not part of official canon:

The Pittsburgh Press; October 2nd, 1968; page forty-six had tiny piece on the movie which had its premiere the night earlier (at the Fulton Theater). "Grisly Scenes: Pittsburgh's First Movie Real Shocker"; the story was written by Thomas Blakley - the Press Drama Editor who was in attendance.

His quote is of particular interest as I've never seen it repeated/mentioned on the back text of any home video releases.

These ghouls are the recent dead and "because of a freak molecular mutation due to man's atomic research," they have risen up by the hundreds to strike down their victims and also devour them.

Who was Blakley quoting??? This shuts down the theory that the dead rose up because of the radiation from the probe. The piece does mention Judy O'Dea and Duane Jones. Was it one of them?

The second is from Japan.

When "Zombie: Dawn Of The Dead" had its theatrical release in the land of the rising sun on March 13th, 1979, they added a short prologue.



The Japanese distributor, Herald Films felt the people there would never accept the concept unless there was an explanation for the zombies.

A short opening was filmed with an explosion in space and white text appearing on screen with a telex sound effect (like a typewriter) overlayed.

In 19XX, an exploding planet in a far off galaxy beamed strange rays across space to Earth. It cause the transformation of the dead one after another into resurrected zombies seeking the flesh of the living...

Yes, it actually said "19XX", are we to fill in the blank??? By the way, the Japanese release is a censored version of Dario Argento's cut, "Zombi" (1978).

- - -

I like this from Ass To Mars, different message board...

Romero's first three Living Dead films are like the first three Alien installments.

Night of the Living Dead/Alien = trapped in a confined environment, simple story of survival against a voracious monster(s)

Dawn of the Dead/Aliens = trapped in a larger but confined environment longer after initial outbreak of zombies/xenomorphs (also took a poke at consumer and business culture of the time with the big ass shopping mall setting in Romero's film, and corporate sleaze Burke in Cameron's Aliens)

Day of the Dead/Alien 3 = similar to the previous films, but darker and misunderstood or disliked by a lot of fans of the other two movies in the trilogy

Unrelated...

Actress Megan Park has a bit part in "Diary", she's the PA (production assistant), Francine Shane on Jason's student mummy movie.



She later appeared in an episode of the former ABC series, "Happy Endings" (as Chloe Garrity; from the episode "Baby Steps", October 5th, 2011).

Then had a recurring role on another former ABC series, "The Neighbors" as Jane an alien.

- - - - - - - - - -

Recommendations.

I'm showcasing five Halloween suggestions for three weeks, since my last post (week four) will hit five days before Halloween. I may change my mind, but you should already know what to watch that night.

Most can be found in your local video rental shops. A very few can be found in stores. The best bets is to find them online, cheaply, through Ebay or from Amazon's resellers marketplace where you can purchase used/new DVDs or BDs. Or even at pawn shops.

Some can be found on Netflix and such streaming services.

"The Arrivial" (1996)
Back when Charlie Sheen didn't need to extol the virtues of Tiger Blood... Radio astronomer Zane Ziminsky believe's he's picked up an extraterrestrial signal. But after turning to the recording over to his superior, Zane is fired due to budget cutbacks, his girlfriend gets transferred and his partner is found dead from a supposed suicide. Zane's desperate search for answers takes him to a mysterious power plant in Mexico, generating more than electricity. Escaping police custody for a falsely accused murder, Zane travels backs to the States and acquires proof of an alien invasion.
Artisan Home Entertainment - 1999 - PG-13

"Dan Curtis’ Dracula" (1974)
Yet another retelling of the Bram Stoker's classic. Why see this made for TV movie? Imagine Jack Palance as the hungry immortal. Boom! That’s why. The man eats scenes. And the teleplay was written by novelist Richard Matheson, directed by Dan Curtis (creator of “Dark Shadows”). This aired on CBS; February 8th, 1974. But was to have broadcast on October 10th, 1973. Why the delay? History happened; Vice President, Spiro Agnew resigned that evening.
MPI Home Video - 2002 - NR

"Harper’s Island" (2009)
Not a movie, but a limited run TV show; a horror mini-series which ran for thirteen weeks on CBS, but bombed in the ratings, not known by most. But slowly gaining cult status. This is a wedding gone horribly amiss. A gathering of family and friends have come to Harper's Island off the coast of Seattle for the marriage of Patricia 'Trish' Wellington and Henry Dunn. A weekend long event with rehearsals and various pre-day proceedings. But someone is quietly murdering the guests, violently. Until the deaths can no longer be kept hushed; the wedding turns into a siege - a serial killer with a grudge. Is he/she one of the attendees? This is self-contained; beginning, middle and end with twists - dark and tragic. No one is safe.
Paramount Home Entertainment - 2009 - NR

"John Carpenter’s The Ward" (2010)
Not one of Carpenter best, but still decent. It is 1966; a troubled young woman, Kristen is taken to North Bend Psychiatric Hospital after starting a fire at a farmhouse, burning it down. She is introduced to the various patients in her ward; Zoey, Emily, Iris and Sarah. And their group doctor, Dr. Stringer. But as days go by, she notices something is very wrong at the hospital. Patients have gone missing; they seem to be related to another detainee, Alice Hudson. Kristen seeks out the truth with her roommates and gets far more than she wanted. This was the first film Carpenter directed in ten years.
ARC Entertainment, LLC - 2011 - R

"Stephen King's Storm Of The Century" (1999)
Another TV mini-series, a three parter which ran on ABC. The first of King's TV movies and mini-series, NOT based on a published story. Little Tall Island is off the coast of Maine. As the title reads, the locale is getting pounded by a colossal tempest. As the residences deal with the storm they have an unknown visitor, André Linoge - makes a cryptic demand, "give me what I want and I'll go away." The mysterious man seems to know all their dark secrets and has murdered. Soon captured by police, but things get considerable worse. Not human - not any more. What follows is Linoge pushing people to their breaking point to force his ultimatum. Unlike many of King's work, the finale is satisfying. The superior re-release is by Kino Lober on DVD and BD (better image quality and colors); now a two disc set in its three original parts - not edited as a giant movie. This has been released several times over by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment which crammed it all on one side (256 minutes), low bit rate.
Kino Lorber Inc. - 2019 - PG-13 (revised rating)

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Did not forget; here is the Best Buy exclusive slipcase for the DVD and book. And the early production poster.

Come back here next Thursday - if you dare! Better have some kind of wood on you and lumber too. These things bite.

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Update 10/09/19

Revised recommendation on "Stephen King's Storm Of The Century" which got re-released yesterday.

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense - Not Our Feathered Friends Part I


Brand new entry!

Since this surfaced last month; still available and 2017's L.E. Horror offerings are expanded, re-purposed entries - you're getting an extra one!

Nature has run amok... the original "Angry Birds" in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds".



The motion picture opened on March 29th, 1963. It was made with a budget of $2,500,000 (estimated) and grossed over 11 million during its U.S. theatrical run. The film opened number one at the box office (the highest weekend debut of 1963).

The feature opened against "The Pink Panther", "How The West Was Won" and "Lawrence Of Arabia".

This re-re-re-re-release has no insert.

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Single exclusive.

Wal-Mart once again has their annual Halloween themed exclusive DVDs. Started in 2016 was glow-in-the-dark slipcovers for assorted titles - in three colors on black, red, green and orange; each title has a different color, not variants for a single DVD.



On September 11th, 2017 they offered - "The Birds" with a red slip; this sold for $7.96. There was no Digital Copy or any kind of insert - which I'll get into.

How is the glow?

Works as well to be expected, but you have to shine a bright light on it for while to charge.

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I can guess some are in the dark about this. The director, Alfred Hitchcock with his not-pal above.

The movie takes place over a long bloody weekend.

Socialite, Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren) got spurned by San Francisco, lawyer Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor) at a bird shop - looking to buy his little sister a pair of lovebirds. Not wanting him to have the upper hand - Melanie buy the birds and travels to Bodega Bay to hand deliver the gift... by breaking into his childhood home.

A middle finger to him.

Looking back as an adult, she's kinda crazy - it is addressed; she's a known rabble-rouser in social circles... tabloid material.

After the B&A, riding her little motor boat back to town, she is attacked by a seagull - bleeding. Moments after the breaking, Mitch finds her note along with the gift and races to her by road to head her off. He does.

Intrigued by her spunk, he invites her back to the house for dinner. Here she meets the rest of the Brenners, his somewhat autocratic mother Lydia (Jessica Tandy) and his tween sister, Cathy (Veronica Cartwright) who hits it off with Melanie.

This is a slow burn flick. The attacks do not happen until well over forty minutes in.

What started as random bird death (from chickens, pigeons, seagulls and crows), grow into worse strange behavior - soon becoming serious and life threatening as they are actively HUNTING humans and murdering them in mass; mixed bird species working together.



Before the tipping point is reach (the attack on the kids was small compared to what was to come) - the attack on Bodega Bay; Melanie has taken refuge at the local diner after dropping off Cathy at her school teacher's home. Waiting for Mitch to pick her up, not to be out in the open.

This is the moment that has become iconic; the size of the attack (the scope) and viciousness.

I wonder how audiences reacted when guy who was putting gas in his car was sideswiped by a seagull. It just happens, random. BOOM! He goes down.

After the attack ran its course, Melanie and Mitch go to Annie's house to pick up his sister to find even more carnage. The trio then return to home - where the night siege begins, no mercy.

My major issue is the ending - doesn't really have one. In fact, we don't really know how far this phenomena has spread, it has hit San Francisco, that much is known. What has cause it?

There a lost, deleted scene where Mitch and Melanie at Cathy's birthday party discuss what could be happening. But it's mostly a throwaway moment, which is probably why it was cut. We don't get any possibilities.

I'm not looking for a definitive reason. What I DO want is theories for the culprit. They just went wonky is pretty weak.

Back on topic, the finale is our characters slowly getting into Mitch's car - a lull in the attacks. And very slowly driving away, the wide shoot showing the extent of the birds - as far as the eye can see. The end of humanity?

There was a second half as it were, scripted, but it didn't happen. They had a deadline to reach and I would imagine, over their budget. But that would've been so good.

Mitch and company drive away a bit, but then are assaulted by the horde. The convertible's top is on, but is getting shredded by dozens and dozens of claws and beaks, all trying to get in. This is happening on a road bend (there are two of them), too much of a curve to drive fast.

They're getting cut up and screaming. But once the road returns to a straight line, Mitch floors it; leaving the critters behind them. The last shot is looking behind them - at the mass still trying to reach them. The end.



Fine; made for cable, "The Birds II: Land's End" aired on Showtime on March 14th, 1994. So bad, the director Rick Rosenthal removed his name, disown it - now lists, the ultra generic, Alan Smithee as director.

This wasn't so much a sequel, but a remake - though there is a scene with an old man who talks about a similar thing which happened decades ago on the West Coast at Bodega Bay.

Tippi Hedren had a tiny role as Helen, more like a gloried extra. This mess starred Brad Johnson, Chelsea Field, James Naughton, Jan Rubes and Megan Gallacher.

When it aired, Showtime aired it back-to-back with the first film - an event hosted by none other than Hedren. As with the original, this had no real finale too - ends with the flock flying back towards the mainland after crapping all over our on screen family (on an overturned boat), a mile or so out in sea.



If you want eighty-seven minutes, nails to the eyes, this was released on VHS and Laser Disc only. Sorry about the poor res image above, it was the best I could find and needed a lot of work - just to look like that.

"The Birds" is a solid flick with good characters given room to breathe before the attacks begin. Just has a weak ending. While researching, I found out something.

It is being turned into a TV series in England by the BBC. The series will air sometime in 2018. The show will be more based on the original 1952 British novella of the same name by Daphne du Maurier (part of her book, "The Apple Tree") than the motion picture. The attacks are happening at Cornwall instead of Northern California as it was in the story. The pilot written by Conor McPherson.

The novella has a bleak ending - everbody dies, the birds won. What I want to hear is the radio adaptations. There was "Lux Radio Theater" (episode 838) aired July 20th, 1953; "Escape" program (episode 217) aired July 10th, 1954; "BBC Afternoon Theatre" on November 20th, 1974 and from "The Friday Play" aired April 30th, 2010. Indeed!

There was an aborted remake in 2007 which had Naomi Watts and Martin Campbell attached.



Something I didn't know, until now. Age; this was Hedren's very first movie. Her then bio lists her as twenty-eight years old, not so; she was thirty-three when it was made.

33 was far too old for a Hollywood movie debut, the leading lady, back in the day.

[JohnIan101]

Past Tense - Not Our Feathered Friends Part II




Okay, release drama - not fluff, this IS noteworthy.

The first DVD happened on February 22nd, 2000 (for $24.99). It came with an insert - various trivia and chapter listing.

But as you read above was not the only time on DVD.

From left to right...



The first re-released happened on August 28th, 2012; part of "Universal 100th Anniversary" collection with foil slipcovers that opens up with some film trivia and that film's position in Universal's movies released that particular year. This also came with a Digital Copy. The wraparound mostly mirrors the slipcover, it does not have those banners on the top and bottoms. No insert issued, minus that DC instructions and code.

On the following year, July 9th, 2013 - it happened again, "Best Of the Decade" re-re-release. This was the same as the 2012 edition. No Digital Copy and no insert once more. Came with a matted slipcover. Unless I'm mistaken, the same wraparound as 2012.

The next on July 12th, 2016; the "Pop Art" re-re-re-release. No insert or Digital Copy. It did come with a slipcover (matted) which mirrored the wraparound. A re-package of the 2012 edition.

I keep saying 2012 edition for a good reason.

You see, the 2012 re-release was altered and did not get much attention.



The Hitchcock movie was remastered. The aspect ratio from the 2000 DVD is changed, now with more info on the horizontal and slight less on the vertical in addition, better image quality; not underexposed and better bit rate too. The 2000 DVD had a soft image as if this came from a laser disc transfer - which is old if that was the case.

To make it clear, that comparison has no enhancements - I took those screen snaps and edited together, that's it.

Sure - for the most part, every picture in my Past Tense posts have had some kind of tweaking to make them the best as possible; from color, contrast corrections to full out, image restoration (gotten quite good at that, the power of being anal!). Anyhow...

Something has to give for it to happen. The movie is two hours long.

What was omitted?



Gone is the nearly eighty minute documentary, "All About The Birds" featuring interviews with living crew members and stars Tippi Hedren, Rod Taylor and Veronica Cartwright as well as Hitchcock's daughter Pat and others too.

In mid August (2017) I got off my ass and bought a mint copy (with insert) of the 2000 special edition. Then when the 2017 exclusive came out, bought that too - for the slipcase. Made it very clear - I'm anal.

Was going to get rid of that extra disc copy. But before I would do that, I wanted to see the doc...

And nothing. You see, while I had that DVD, a month before; I still had not gotten around to watching it.

That menu for special features (2012) is a single screen. I could not find it. WTF? So I pull out my 2000 release and there it was - two screens of options. The 2012 just crammed it all (minus the documentary) on a single screen.

My solution was getting a two disc transparent case. Putting the original wraparound on the inside (to be seen) and the 2012 wrap on the outside, inserting the booklet. This way I have the best of both worlds. One to watch for movie and one to watch for extras. Sway.

And topping it all, the new glow-in-the-dark slipcover.

By the way, I'm not including the box set (streeted March 6th, 2001); "The Alfred Hitchcock Collection: The Best of Hitchcock, Vol. 2" which was a slipcase holding the 2000 edition along with "Vertigo", "The Trouble With Harry", "Frenzy", "Marnie", Saboteur", "Torn Curtain" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents Vol. 3" (four episodes of his TV show). DVD special editions, minus "Saboteur" and "Presents".

Oh yeah, the film poster on top, that's not Hedren screaming, it's Jessica Tandy from the scene where the birds are coming down through a chimney.

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Recommendation.

Just one.

"Life After Beth" (2014)
Zach Orfman is heartbroken when his girlfriend dies, a fatal snake bite - hiking in the woods. But is shocked to see her after the funeral; the family is keeping her resurrection a secret. She's quite human, slowly decaying - until her higher brain functions widdle way into full Romero territory. A different take on the zombie genre. This is a tale of a man who comes to understand that his love was an illusion. Beth didn't genuinely care for him, alive or undead; sometimes seconds chances are not worth it. She becomes patient-zero in a ghoul outbreak. A mostly low-key comedy with some horror. Funny and tragic at times.
Lionsgate - 2014 - R

See you back next week... *muahahaha*

[JohnIan101]

Best Buy - October 10th, 2017


Baby Driver
Exclusive steelbook; 4k BD/BD combo $29.99

Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Exclusive steelbook; BD/DVD combo $24.99 (available now)
Exclusive steelbook; 4K BD/BD/DC combo $34.99 (available now)

[JohnIan101]

Target - September 26th, 2017


Transformers: The Last Knight
Exclusive bonus BD disc and packaging; BD/DVD/DC combo $19.99

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CDs

"Demi Lovato - Tell Me You Love Me" with 2 exclusive bonus songs $14.99 (available 9/29)

"Fergie - Double Dutchess" with 2 exclusive bonus songs $9.99
"Lana Del Ray - Lust For Life" with exclusive poster $11.99
"Thomas Rhett - Life Changes" with 3 exclusive bonus songs $13.99