Mrparka's Video Reviews for the Week of August 12th + Contest

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Time Stamps 

​https://www.facebook.com/screamingpotty/

Time Stamps 

Re-Animator Review - 0:20
Zodiac Killer Review - 8:30 
Another Son of Sam Review - 11:30 
Effects Review - 14:20
Endgame Review -  19:13
Bride to Hell Review -  22:23
Shout Out - 28:07
Contest Winner - 28:46
New Contest - 29:30
Q&A - 30:26
Update - 33:27

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Video Reviews

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Re-Animator Arrow Limited Edition Blu-Ray Review

                            Review by MrParka 
    Stuart Gordon's directorial debut “Re-Animator” gets the deluxe treatment in a big way from Arrow films. The limited edition is loaded to the brim with extras. Also included is a bonus disc which features the integral cut and a featurette about the film adaptations of Lovecraft.  
Herbert West, a brilliant medical student, transfers to the Miskatonic University and quickly invades the life of Dan Cain, an ambitious promising student. It doesn't take long for West to get Cain involved with his insane theories and experiments of bringing the dead back to life and continuing brain function after it has stopped. These experiments soon catch the attention of the school’s Dean, Alan Halsy; his daughter and girlfriend to Dan, Megan; and the menacing Dr. Hill. After a series of misfortunes and gruesome events, everyone involved finds themselves trapped in a cycle of death and frenzy all at the mercy of the re-animated and decapitated Dr. Hill.
       “Re-Animator” has a huge cult following and for good reason. It launched the film careers of many beloved voices and faces in the horror genre, including Stuart Gordon and Jeffrey Combs to name two. It tackled Lovecraft like no one ever dared, a highly sexualized, perverse manner with abundant amounts of splatter. A huge part of its success is due to the wonderful effects, a great story, an amazing cast, offbeat tone, and a familiar but different score. The only real possible negative “Re-animator” could ever be accused of is that, in tone and style due to a graphic sexual nature, it doesn't really capture a Lovecraftian feel.  However it did rejuvenate or, better put, reanimate the Lovecraft genre and molded it to what it is today. It also helped shine some praise on a master of horror, H.P. Lovecraft.   
             Being Stuart Gordon's first film, it's astounding to think that he managed to create such a creative and competent film. No doubt his talents as a stage director gave him the intelligence to pick his cast wisely. No one can even briefly mention “Re-animator” without bringing up the iconic character of Herbert West played by Jeffrey combs. His performance is an unforgettable one, his demeanor shifts from comedic to villainous in seconds and his sarcastic, dead pan delivery is agitating and hilarious. Combs manages to bring a high pace, manic energy into the character while creating the morbid genius. The other cast is equally as brilliant. Barbara Crampton as Megan conveys a huge gamut of emotions in a convincing manner. At times Megan is in utter horror or grief-stricken hysterics. When she interacts with her father after he has had the misfortunate of being one of West’s test subjects, she blends the two perfectly. David Gale is amazing as the manipulative Dr. Carl Hill. He brings the perfect level of intensity and creepiness. It's not often someone gets to play a talking head and steal the show, but David Gale does it with a classic-yet-sleazy style, recalling some previous horror icons from yesteryear.   Dean Halsy, played by Robert Sampson, is probably the most underrated cast member in the film. He brings a great human touch that is greatly appreciated; Sampson’s performance shows his character arc wonderfully.  The character of Dean Halsy starts the film as a likable gentleman and turns into a sympathetic monster, the way Robert Sampson emotes during the climactic moment is impeccable.  Finally, Bruce Abbott rounds out the leads, playing the straight man, Dan Cain, and is the connectivity to the audience. He comes across solid amongst the strong cast. 
          The score reflects Bernard Hermann’s score from the legendary “Psycho”. Richard Band creates the score with a playful edge, letting some of the grotesque sight humor land where it is supposed to. It takes a special track to make a stumbling, headless corpse carrying its head in a surgical dish tickle the funny bone.  Even with all the praise, “Re-Animator” works in large because of how the imaginative effects are executed and edited.  During the decapitation scene, it is literally put together with the right cuts and angles; making a realistic effect without much money. 
          The features seem endless on Arrow’s release, but the highlight would have to be the integral cut. The integral cut features roughly 23 extra minutes of footage, all remastered as well.  The new scenes slow down the brisk pace of the unrated cut, but add depth to the characters, interesting subplots, and nice transitionary moments.  With these new scenes, we understand Dr. Hill has a hypnotic power over the dead and sometimes the living. This longer cut helps with some character motivations as well and patches in some of Dan Cain’s reasoning for helping West.  These deleted scenes are included separate, as well, on the first disc.  The film adaptations of Lovecraft featurette scans the films inspired by the work of Lovecraft. The featurette is a nice reminder for even the big Lovecraft fans, starting with early works and into the modern era. Most of the titles are heavy hitters, but there are a few surprises as well. Three commentaries are also included, a feature length making of, and seemingly every special feature that was ever created for the film. The making of documentary has all the big players that are still in the world of the living. They are all candid and grateful for their experience on the film and share a slew of entertaining stories.  “Re-Animator” has been remastered in 4K and looks wonderful.  
            Arrow has done an amazing job with this release.  Finally one of the best horror comedies ever has a final edition fans can be proud of.

Product Description:

​​HERBERT WEST HAS A GOOD HEAD ON HIS SHOULDERS... AND ANOTHER ONE ON HIS DESK. One of the most wildly popular horror movies of all-time, Stuart Gordon's enduring splatter-comedy classic Re-Animator returns to Blu-ray in a stunning restoration packed with special features! When medical student Dean Cain advertises for a roommate, he soon finds one in the form of Dr. Herbert West. Initially a little eccentric, it some becomes clear that West entertains some seriously outlandish theories - specifically, the possibility of re-animating the dead. It's not long before Dean finds himself under West's influence, and embroiled in a serious of ghoulish experiments which threaten to go wildly out of control... Based on H.P. Lovecraft's classic terror tale 'Herbert West - Reanimator' and featuring a standout performance from Jeffrey Combs as the deliciously deranged West, Re-Animator remains the ground-zero of '80s splatter mayhem and one of the genre's finest hours. 


FEATURES:

4K restorations of the Unrated and Integral versions of the film
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation
Original Stereo 2.0 and 5.1 Audio 
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing 
Digipak packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Justin Erickson
Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by writer Michael Gingold
Re-Animator – the original 1991 comic book adaptation, reprinted in its entirety
DISC 1 – UNRATED VERSION
Unrated version [86 mins]
Audio commentary with director Stuart Gordon
Audio commentary with producer Brian Yuzna, actors Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton, Bruce Abbott, and Robert Sampson
Re-Animator Resurrectus – documentary on the making of the film, featuring extensive interviews with cast and crew
Interview with director Stuart Gordon and producer Brian Yuzna
Interview with writer Dennis Paoli
Interview with composer Richard Band
Music Discussion with composer Richard Band
Interview with former Fangoria editor Tony Timpone
Barbara Crampton In Conversation –the Re-Animator star sits down with journalist Alan Jones for this career-spanning discussion
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Trailer & TV Spots
DISC 2 – INTEGRAL VERSION – LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE
Integral version [105 mins]
A Guide to Lovecraftian Cinema – brand new featurette looking at the many various cinematic incarnations of writer H.P. Lovecraft’s work
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Buy Blu-Ray - https://grindhousevideo.com/products/re-animator-limited-edition-blu-ray

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The Zodiac Killer and Another Son of Sam Blu-Ray Review

A new 4K transfer of the only movie in history made explicitly to catch a serial killer.
Directed by Tom Hanson, who had previously owned a chain of Pizza Man restaurants, The Zodiac Killer was made to capture the real-life Zodiac Killer. That plan didn't work. Instead, we got the most outrageous and compelling "tabloid horror" vortex in the history of planet Earth. And beyond. During theatrical screenings, Hanson constructed in-theater "traps" to lure the killer from hiding. These included the use of an ice cream freezer filled with rent-a-cops and a raffle with a motorcycle as a prize. You won't get insight like this by watching a David Fincher movie. But you will get it while watching The Zodiac Killer.
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FEATURES: 

Audio Commentary with director Tom Hanson and producer Manny Nedwick
On-camera interview with director Tom Hanson and producer Manny Nedwick
Bonus movie: ANOTHER SON OF SAM (1977)
Tabloid-horror trailers from the AGFA archive!
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Buy Here - https://mvdshop.com/products/zodiac-killer-the-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray

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Effects Blu-Ray Review

A new 4K transfer of this snuff-fueled frightmare starring Tom Savini and Joe Pilato!

Cobbled together with loose change by George Romero's friends, EFFECTS is a mesmerizing D.I.Y. frightmare that no one talks about, but everyone should. A group of coked-up filmmakers -- including Tom "DAWN OF THE DEAD" Savini, Joe "DAY OF THE DEAD" Pilato, and John "TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE" Harrison -- gather in Pittsburgh to make a slasher. As filming begins and "accidents" happen, it's clear that something isn't right. And no one can be trusted. Landing somewhere between SNUFF and a student film by John Carpenter, EFFECTS is a meta-enhanced takedown on the philosophy of horror that doubles as a sleazy and terrifying movie on its own.

FEATURES: 
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​AFTER EFFECTS documentary with optional commentary track
UBU short film
BEASTIE short film
Archival commentary track with John Harrison, Dusty Nelson, and Pasquale Buba
Liner notes by Joseph A. Ziemba of AGFA and Bleeding Skull!
New 4K scan from the only 35mm theatrical print in existence

Buy Here - ​https://mvdshop.com/products/effects-blu-ray

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Endgame Streaming Review

A telepathic mutant recruits a post-World War III TV gameshow warrior to lead her band of mutants to safety.
Starring: Laura Gemser, Al Cliver, George Eastman
Directed by: Joe D'Amato

Watch Here - ​https://www.amazon.com/Endgame-Laura-Gemser/dp/B01MZAT0RR/

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Bridge to Hell Streaming Review

Three prisoners from a Nazi prison camp (an American, an Italian and a German deserter), try to fight their way through Nazi occupied territory and to freedom.
Starring: Andy J. Forest, Carlo Mucari, Paki Valente
Directed by: Umberto Lenzi 

​Watch Here - https://www.amazon.com/Bridge-Hell-Andy-J-Forest/dp/B06W5KX3X7

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Rock Bottom Video 

From Site: 
​Rock Bottom Video is an independent film production company founded by Brian Kilby, Brian Papandrea, and Nate Rumler in 2015. Our goal is simple: To make fun fucking movies for cool fucking people! Imagine the days from long past when video stores reigned and you & a friend could ride your bikes to one of them. You'd go in there on a packed Friday night to scope out the Horror section to find weirdest box art, or the craziest description on the back of a vhs. After you rent it from the cool video clerk that lets you get away with renting R-rated titles, you go back home and sneak some of your old man's cheap vodka or boxed wine, you'd be ready to turn on whatever sick flick you got and laugh your goddamn asses off! That's what we want for Rock Bottom Video (although by law we do not encourage underage drinking!) So relive those days now by inviting some friends over, have a bunch of alcoholic beverages, and enjoy a Rock Bottom Video today! We may not make the best movies, but there ain't nothing like ours!

Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/Rock-Bottom-Video-1685157325095192/
Buy Stuff - http://rockbottomvideo.com/?v=7516fd43adaa

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Contests

Winner of Slugs, Bird with the Crystal Plumage, and Slimy Little Bastards is Jonathan Gagne 

New Contest Win "Monster Squad", "Night of the Creeps", and "Night of the Demons 2" DVDS

1. Like Screaming Toilet Facebook Page 
https://www.facebook.com/screamingpotty/

2. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel 
https://www.youtube.com/user/mrparka

3. Leave a comment below

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Q&A 

Thanks for the questions!!! If you want to ask a question please leave it in the comments section below. It will be answered next show!

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Update

​Blu-Ray
1. Soldier Blue (worth a look) 
2. Tin Drum 
3. Spirits of the Dead 
4. Audition
5. City of the Dead