 Links www.youtube.com/mrparka https://www.instagram.com/mrparka/ https://twitter.com/mrparka00 http://www.screamingtoilet.com/dvd--blu-ray https://www.facebook.com/screamingpotty/ https://www.facebook.com/mrparka http://shutupbrandon.podbean.com/ https://www.facebook.com/screamingpotty/ https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shut-up-brandon-podcast/id988229934?mt=2 https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podbean-70/shut-up-brandon-podcast https://letterboxd.com/mrparka/ https://www.patreon.com/mrparka Time Stamps “The Believers” Review – 0:21 “Blue Movie” Review – 7:18 “New York Ripper” Review–14:27 “Mindwarp” Review – 24:29 “Brainscan” Review – 31:16 “Savage Harbor” Review – 38:36 “Evil Town” Review – 47:15 Patreon Pick “Climax” Review – 52:44 Patreon Pick “Dogtooth” Review –59:30 Hammer Time Episode 4(“The Mummy” and “The Man Who Could Cheat Death”) W Jeremy – 1:04:47 / 1:20:03 Pick a Movie “Dead End Drive-In” Review – 1:33:53 Pick a Movie Drawing – 1:40:29 Questions – 1:40:44 Answers “What is your favorite heavy metal/rock and roll horror flick?” – 1:43:31 Question of the Week “What would you like me to do for next season’s special segment?” 1:47:20 Update – 1:47:47 Video Reviews"The Believers" Blu-Ray Review (Olive Films)  Written by MrParka Olive Films presents the 1987 horror thriller “The Believers” on Blu-Ray. The crazy cult horror film features a variety of character actors alongside its star, Martin Sheen, helping make it a well-acted mystery. Police psychiatrist Cal Jamison (Sheen) loses his wife in a tragic accident, leaving him and his son lost. They leave the suburbs for a New York apartment to start things over. Cal’s job begins to intersect in his family and love life when he becomes involved with the case of a young police officer struggling with his sanity. The matters are complicated further when this young officer may or may not be responsible for a string of child murders. These murders are not only putting Cal in danger, but also his remaining loved ones. “The Believers” follows a similar set up to the classic ghost story “The Changeling”. With the film starting out with a horrible tragedy, the lead in the film is sent into a dark and psychological place. Cal often seems to be struggling with being a father and forgiving himself throughout the entirety of the runtime. This guilt plays into the final scenes, although as an audience member you never doubt what Cal will do. The only real complaint is the length. The long runtime is due to the story being a little convoluted. There are too many side characters that seem to lead to the next plot point or character. These scenes all play out during the police procedural parts of the film. These moments could have been shortened and some of the extra characters eliminated, even if a handful of them are enjoyable additions. It’s well shot and uses its locations interestingly enough; the gritty streets of New York are usually filmed dark and with trash surrounding the streets. Although the location has an obvious danger to it, it never feels quite like the cesspool many films would lead one to believe. The twists and turns that happen are sometimes surprising and other times obvious, some seemingly taking inspiration from “Rosemary’s Baby”. Some scenes leave a lasting impression, the body of a dead goat floating in the docks comes to memory. This scene is quickly followed by a shot of a shrine with a ritualistic kill of a child on it. As you can read no punches are pulled here; it kills the young and old, the loveable and deplorable. All around “The Believers” isn’t breaking any new ground, but it’s a solid horror thriller with a few supernatural elements that make it different, but not different enough to stand out on its own completely. It’s worth checking out for people looking for something fairly scary and adult with a strong cast and downbeat ending. DESCRIPTION The Believers, director John Schlesinger’s (Marathon Man) finally crafted, modern-day supernatural thriller, stars Martin Sheen (Apocalypse Now), Helen Shaver (Desert Hearts) and Robert Loggia (Scarface). Following the tragic death of his wife, psychologist Cal Jamison (Sheen) and his young son Chris (Harley Cross, Someone to Watch Over Me) relocate from Minneapolis to New York City to start a new life. Enlisted by Lt. McTaggert (Loggia) to help solve a baffling suicide case involving voodoo, Cal soon finds himself in the middle of an investigation with ties to a Caribbean religious cult and a series of ritualistic murders that will place him and those he loves in grave danger. The Believers, based on the Nicholas Conde novel The Religion, is written for the screen by Mark Frost (co-creator of Twin Peaks), photographed by Robby Müller (Paris, Texas) and co-stars Jimmy Smits (TV’s NYPD Blue), Harris Yulin (Another Woman), Richard Masur (The Thing), and Elizabeth Wilson (9 to 5). Olive Films – https://olivefilms.com/ “The Believers” Blu-Ray – https://olivefilms.com/product/the-believers/ "Blue Movie" Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Review (Cult Epics) Written by MrParka Cult Epics brings the highly sexual Amsterdam cult classic “Blue Movie” to Blu-Ray and DVD for the first time. Earning its cult status due to its sexually explicit nature, it still remains relevant due to its social context. Michael (Hugo Metsers) has recently been released from prison after serving five years for having sexual intercourse with an underage girl. Although his crime is no longer illegal he still is on parole and must fit into society. He quickly moves into an apartment complex with a plentiful amount of women looking for company, married or not. Actor Hugo Metsers seems to have a knack for playing characters that are fairly grey in nature. They aren’t evil, but they are never someone you can truly get behind. The character of Michael seemingly gets into trouble within the first couple hours after he is moved in by starting a relationship with a married woman. This is, of course, after he watches her and her husband having sex from the balcony. At times “Blue Movie” is all about the sexual acts; showing them in detail and at other times presenting a layer of comedy, incorporating Michael’s parole officer Eddie (Helmert Woudenberg). Later the film seems to make a statement about “New Amsterdam” where sex should be more welcomed and one can profit from it, while shortly after portraying a tragic suicide directly related to sex. The intent or meaning of the film in its entirety is a little bit of a mystery, bringing up questions of sexuality, morality, and loyalty. “Blue Movie” is a well shot film using the main location nicely with long shots of the massive apartment complex while a wonderful score plays. The technique is all fine. The story as a whole seems to be a little light, but the scenes in themselves tend to have interesting moments worth checking out. Cult Epics has included a slew of features on the new collector’s edition release. Included on the release are an interview with director Wim Verstappen , an interview with producer Pim de la Parra at the Dutch Sex Wave festival, and an interview with Hugo Metsers Jr., Paris which tells the details about himself as a child finding out about his father’s films in the most unpleasant way. Synopsis The most sensational Dutch taboo film of all time! After five years in prison, an ex-con returns to a society where total sexual freedom is now the norm. Michael (Frank & Eva’s Hugo Metsers) yearns for sex, and becomes fascinated by the amorous life of an attractive woman next door (Business Is Business’s Carry Tefsen), eventually organizing a series of sordid orgies with her and the neighbors… Blue Movie was the most controversial and talked about Dutch film upon theatrical release – a sensation that brought millions of visitors to cinemas. Produced by Pim de la Parra (Frank & Eva, Obsessions), and directed by his partner Wim Verstappen, Blue Movie was a breakthrough commercial hit for their company Scorpio Films – and the start of the Golden Years of Dutch cinema, also known as the “Dutch Sex Wave.” Presented by Cult Epics for first time ever in High-definition on Blu-Ray & DVD – and featuring cinematography by Jan De Bont (Turkish Delight, Private Lessons, Basic Instinct) – now see for yourself what all the commotion was about! Cult Epics website Exclusive: BLUE MOVIE Slipcase (German Poster Art) and reversible sleeve with Uncensored art (Limited numbered edition of 500 printed with Blu-ray/DVD Combo) Region free. Also available with Pim de la Parra’s Frank & Eva (Blu-ray/DVD Combo) featuring Exclusive Japanese Poster Art Slipcover. Special Features Blu-ray/DVD Combo New HD Restoration & Transfer Interview with director Wim Verstappen (1971) Interview with producer Pim de la Parra at the Dutch Sex Wave festival, Cinematheque Francais (2018) Interview with Hugo Metsers Jr., Paris (2018) Eye Film Institute – Featurette (2018) Blue Movie poster & photo video gallery Original Scorpio films Theatrical Trailers Limited Edition Slipcase and Reversible Uncensored Sleeve Cult Epics – http://www.cultepics.com/ “Blue Movie” Blu-Ray/DVD Combo – http://www.cultepics.com/product-detail/blue-movie/ "New York Ripper" Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Combo Review (Blue Underground) Someone Is Taking A Big Bite Out Of The Big Apple! A blade-wielding psychopath is on the loose, turning The Big Apple bright red with the blood of beautiful young women. As NYPD detective Fred Williams (Jack Hedley of FOR YOUR EYES ONLY) follows the trail of butchery from the decks of the Staten Island Ferry to the sex shows of Times Square, each brutal murder becomes a sadistic taunt. In the city that never sleeps, the hunt is on for the killer that can't be stopped! Co-written and directed by acclaimed horror maestro Lucio Fulci (ZOMBIE, CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD) and filmed on location in the mean streets of New York City, this is one of Fulci's most savage and controversial thrillers. Now Blue Underground is proud to present THE NEW YORK RIPPER in a new 4K restoration from its original camera negative, completely uncut and uncensored, and fully loaded with exclusive new Extras! Bonus Materials Audio Commentary with Troy Howarth, Author of Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films The Art Of Killing - Interview with Co-Writer Dardano Sacchetti Three Fingers Of Violence - Interview with Star Howard Ross The Second Victim - Interview with Co-Star Cinzia de Ponti The Broken Bottle Murder - Interview with Co-Star Zora Kerova 'I'm an Actress!' - 2009 Interview with Co-Star Zora Kerova The Beauty Killer - Interview with Stephen Thrower, Author of Beyond Terror: The Films of Lucio Fulci Paint Me Blood Red - Interview with Poster Artist Enzo Sciotti NYC Locations Then and Now Theatrical Trailer Poster & Still Gallery BONUS! THE NEW YORK RIPPER Original Motion Picture Soundtrack CD by Francesco De Masi BONUS! Collectable Booklet with new essay by Travis Crawford WORLD PREMIERE! New 4K Restoration from the uncensored original camera negative High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD Widescreen 2.40:1 feature presentation Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD (English); 1.0 DTS-HD (English, Italian); 1.0 Dolby Digital (French, Spanish) Subtitles: English SDH, Francais, Espanol, English for Italian Audio Blue Underground – http://www.blue-underground.com/ “New York Ripper” Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Combo – https://mvdshop.com/products/new-york-ripper-the-3-disc-limited-edition-blu-ray-dvd "Mindwarp" & "Brainscan" Double Feature Blu-Ray Review (Mill Creek Entertainment) MINDWARP In the future, life will be a dream. And reality a nightmare. In a post-holocaust world, one woman (Marta Alicia) relies on computer fantasies to entertain herself, but a glitch sends her to a far-off wasteland to deal with monsters called Crawlers. She is saved by a young rebel (Bruce Campbell), but the pair are later captured and brought underground by the Crawlers. There, an overlord called the Seer (Angus Scrimm) presides over the kingdom and tries to make life miserable for his captives. BRAINSCAN An interactive trip to hell. When a lonely teenager (Edward Furlong) orders the latest interactive video game, the high-tech wizardry penetrates his subconscious, where his darkest impulses lead him through a deadly maze of murder, deception and desire. Pursued by homicide detective (Frank Langella) and prodded by the trickster (T. Ryder Smith), he is torn between the worlds of good and evil, of reality and fantasy and, ultimately, life and death. Mill Creek Entertainment – https://www.millcreekent.com/ “Mindwarp/Brainscan” Double Feature Blu-Ray – https://www.amazon.com/Mindwarp-Brainscan-Double-Feature-Blu-ray/dp/B07PYJ3YBD/ "Savage Harbor" Blu-Ray Review (Vinegar Syndrome Archive) Joe (Frank Stallone; Barfly) and Chris (Christopher Mitchum; Executioner Pt. 2) live a life of high seas adventures, working as merchant seamen. But after arriving in port in Los Angeles for a brief leave, Joe meets Anne, a desperate young woman with a sordid history of prostitution and heroin addiction. As their romance builds, Joe realizes that he’s falling in love, but soon Anne’s former pimp, Harry, tracks her down, kidnapping and brutalizing her with the intent of forcing her back under his control and into her old ways of life. Determined not to let her go, Joe and Harry form a two-man army to rescue Anne and take down Harry and his thugs, once and for all. A brain-busting mid-80s action extravaganza in the Executioner Pt. 2 vein of mind-numbing sleaze, Savage Harbor (also known as Death Feud) also stars Greta Blackburn (Party Line), Anthony Caruso (Zebra Force, Claws), Nicholas Worth (Don’t Answer The Phone, Swamp Thing) and Lisa Loring (The Addams Family). Directed by notorious exploitation film auteur, Carl Monson (A Scream in the Streets), Vinegar Syndrome Archive presents the worldwide disc debut of Savage Harbor, presented in a new 2K restoration of its original camera negative! Directed by: Carl Monson Starring: Frank Stallone, Christopher Mitchum, Greta Blackburn, Lisa Loring, Anthony Caruso, Nicholas Worth 1987 / 90 min / 1.85:1 • Region Free Blu-ray • Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 35mm camera original • “Do You Like Avocados?” – a video interview with actor Frank Stallone • Audio interview with cinematographer Jack Beckett • Double-sided poster • Reversible cover artwork • English SDH subtitles Vinegar Syndrome – https://vinegarsyndrome.com/ “Savage Harbor” Blu-Ray – www.vinegarsyndrome.com/products/savage-harbor "Evil Town" Blu-Ray Review (Vinegar Syndrome Archive) A group of four friends traveling the West Coast arrive in a small town with a strange history of its residents disappearing mysteriously. What’s more is that the town’s elusive doctor, Dr. Schaeffer (Dean Jagger), is rumored to be conducting sinister experiments on the town’s youth so as to combat the aging process. As the group of young travelers find themselves embroiled in a diabolical scheme of medical madness, they realize – perhaps too late – that they are Dr. Schaeffer’s ideal specimens. A troubled production from its mid-70s beginnings, EVIL TOWN started life as ‘Dr Shagetz’ and was helmed by various directors at different points, including a young Curtis Hanson (L.A. Confidential). In the early 80s, producer Mardi Rustam bought the film and further retooled it, adding additional moments of sleaze and a strange subplot brewed from his own film, EVILS OF THE NIGHT, eventually retitling it EVIL TOWN. This bizarro mutant film epitomizes the lengths producers would go to re-market their work for the video era. Vinegar Syndrome Archive is proud to present EVIL TOWN on Blu-ray for the first time, featuring a fresh 2K restoration of the original camera negative! Directed by: Mardi Rustam, Larry Spiegel, Curtis Hanson, et al. Starring: Dean Jagger, James Keach, Robert Walker Jr., Doria Cook-Nelson, Michele Marsh 1985 / 82 min / 1.85:1 • Region Free Blu-ray • Newly scanned & restored in 2k from its 35mm camera original • Audio interview with director Larry Spiegel • “Compare and Contrast” – a comparison between Evil Town and Evils of the Night • Double-sided poster • Reversible cover artwork • English SDH subtitles Vinegar Syndrome – https://vinegarsyndrome.com/ “Evil Town” Blu-Ray – www.vinegarsyndrome.com/products/evil-town Patreon Pick "Climax" Streaming Review (Amazon) Gaspar Noé, director of the hugely controversial Irreversible , Enter the Void and Love , makes a triumphant return with Climax - a visually dazzling feast of music and mayhem, and perhaps his most critically acclaimed work to date. Following a successful rehearsal, a dance troupe set about celebrating with a party. But when it becomes apparent that someone has spiked the sangria, the joyous atmosphere soon transforms into a nightmarish hellscape of violence and twisted carnality as the dancers begin to turn on each other in an orgiastic frenzy. Inspired equally by the worlds of modern dance and esoteric arthouse-horror (chief among them, Dario Argento’s Suspiria and Andrzej Żuławski’s Possession), Climax – which pulses towards its astonishing conclusion with a thumping score by the likes of Daft Punk, Aphex Twin and Gary Numan – illustrates a director at the height of his hallucinatory filmmaking powers. Arrow Films – https://arrowfilms.com/ “Climax” Blu-Ray – https://arrowfilms.com/product-detail/climax-blu-ray/FCD1845 Patreon Pick "Dogtooth" DVD Review Graceful, enigmatic, and often frightening, DOGTOOTH is an ingenious dark comedy that won the Prix Un Certain Regard at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, propelling Yorgos Lanthimos to the forefront of contemporary cinema's most ambitious young filmmakers. In an effort to protect their three children from the corrupting influence of the outside world, a Greek couple transforms their home into a gated compound of cultural deprivation and strict rules of behavior. But children cannot remain innocent forever. When the father brings home a young woman to satisfy his son's sexual urges, the family's engineered "reality" begins to crumble, with devastating consequences. Like the haunting, dystopic visions of Michael Haneke and Gaspar Noé, DOGTOOTH punctuates its compelling drama with moments of shocking violence, creating a biting social satire that is as profound as it is provocative. Kino Lorber – https://www.kinolorber.com/ “Dogtooth” DVD – https://www.kinolorber.com/product/dogtooth-dvd Hammer Time "The Mummy" Blu-Ray Review and "The Man Who Could Cheat Death" Blu-Ray Review (Kino Lorber) The Mummy TORN FROM THE TOMB TO TERRIFY THE WORLD! One by one the archaeologists who discover the 4,000-year-old tomb of Princess Ananka are brutally murdered. Kharis, high priest in Egypt 40 centuries ago, has been brought to life by the power of the ancient gods and his sole purpose is to destroy those responsible for the desecration of the sacred tomb. But Isobel, wife of one of the explorers, resembles the beautiful princess, forcing the speechless and tormented monster to defy commands and abduct Isobel to an unknown fate. “The Mummy” Blu-Ray – https://www.hamiltonbook.com/the-mummy_13 The Man Who Could Cheat Death His Terrifying Secret… His Hideous Obsession… Made Him The Man Who Could Cheat Death! Dr. Georges Bonnet has figured out a way to live forever, all he needs are glands from some very unwilling donors! Anton Diffring (Where Eagles Dare, Circus of Horrors) stars as the mad doctor in this chilling Hammer Horror classic. As he struggles against the inevitable icy grip of death, the doctor begins a descent into madness that threatens to destroy the laws of nature and the lives of those he cares for the most; the only person who could stop his unholy quest is horror legend Christopher Lee (The Oblong Box). Great direction by Hammer legend Terence Fisher (Horror of Dracula) with a screenplay by Jimmy Sangster (Dracula: Prince of Darkness) based on a play by Barré Lyndon (The Lodger). Co-starring the beautiful Hazel Court (Premature Burial). DVD Extras Include: Audio Commentary by Film Historian Troy Howarth Interview with critic and novelist Kim Newman (17:09) Interview with author and historian Jonathan Rigby (16:52) Trailers Kino Lorber – https://www.kinolorber.com/ “The Man Who Could Cheat Death” Blu-Ray – https://www.kinolorber.com/product/the-man-who-could-cheat-death-dvd Pick a Movie "Dead End Drive-In" Blu-Ray Review (Arrow Video) THE PRICE OF ADMISSION IS THE REST OF YOUR LIFE One of Quentin Tarantino’s favourite directors, Brian Trenchard-Smith was a key figure in the Ozploitation movement, responsible for The Man from Hong Kong, Stunt Rock, Turkey Shoot, BMX Bandits… and dystopian cult classic Dead-End Drive-In! Set in a near-future where the economy has crumbled and violent gangs play havoc in the streets, the powers-that-be have decided to lure the delinquent youth into drive-in cinemas and keep them there. No longer just a place to watch trashy movies and make out, these outdoor picture shows have become concentration camps for the unruly and unwanted. With its day-glo colour scheme, new wave soundtrack and extraordinary stunt work, Dead-End Drive-In is in the tradition of Ozploitation milestones Mad Maxand The Cars That Ate Paris only very, very eighties. Contents Brand new 2K restoration from original film materials High Definition (1080p) Presentation Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing Audio commentary by director Brian Trenchard-Smith The Stuntmen, Trenchard Smith’s classic television documentary on Grant Page (Mad Max,Road Games) and other Australian stunt performers Hospitals Don’t Burn Down, Trenchard-Smith’s 1978 public information film told in pure Ozploitation fashion Behind-the-scenes gallery by graffiti artist Vladimir Cherepanoff Theatrical trailer Reversible sleeve featuring brand new artwork by Chris Malbon First pressing only: fully-illustrated collector’s booklet containing writing on the films by Cullen Gallagher and Neil Mitchell Arrow Video – https://www.arrowvideo.com/ “Dead End Drive-In” Blu-Ray – https://www.amazon.com/Dead-End-Drive-Special-Blu-ray/dp/B01H0FLEF2 Ask a Question/Answer a Question What would you like me to do for next season’s special segment? Podcast Version https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/podbean-70/shut-up-brandon-podcast https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/shut-up-brandon-podcast/id988229934? https://shutupbrandon.podbean.com/e/mrparka-s-weekly-reviews-episode-109-audio-version/ UpdateBlu-Ray 1. Night Beast 2. Satan’s Slave 3. Lust in the Dust 4. Mountaintop Motel Massacre 5. Goodbye Gemini 6. Just Before Dawn 7. Knife + Heart 8. Marked for Death 9. Out for Justice 10. Beauty and the Beast 11. Return to Oz 12. Escape to Witch Mountain 13. Return from Witch Mountain 14. Honey I Shrunk the Kids DVD 15. Mr. Boogedy/ Bride of Boogedy Film NotesThe Believers – 1987 – John Schlesinger
Blue Movie – 1971 – Wim Verstappen New York Ripper – 1982 – Lucio Fulci Mindwarp – 1992 – Steve Barnett Brainscan – 1994 – John Flynn Savage Harbor – 1987 – Carl Monson Evil Town – 1977 – Curtis Hanson/Larry Spiegel/Peter S. Traynor/Mohammed Rustam Climax – 2018 – Gaspar Noé Dogtooth – 2009 – Yorgos Lanthimos The Mummy – 1959 – Terence Fisher The Man Who Could Cheat Death – 1959 – Terence Fisher Dead End Drive-In – 1986 – Brian Trenchard-Smith
2 Comments
Nick Mua
6/13/2019 07:37:16 pm
I enjoyed the way you reviewed the Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake and it's prequel. Maybe could compare some classics and their remakes if they were any good or laughably bad.
Peter Engelen
6/14/2019 04:02:27 pm
For next season's special segment I would love to see you'll do views and reviews of James Bond, from Dr. No till Licence To Kill, so no Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig (although I love Craig's Bond). Leave a Reply. |