Mrparka's Video Reviews for the Week of November 25th+ Contest

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Time Stamps

Links
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Time Stamps
"Deathdream" Review - 0:15
"The Thingy: Confessions of a Teenage Placenta" Review - 6:42
"Animal Factory" Review - 10:32
"Satan's Cheerleaders" Review - 14:46
"Ghastlies" Review - 21:31
"Heathers" Review - 25:40
"The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid" Review - 30:13
" The Long Riders" Review - 35:40
Old Contest - 43:24
New Contest - 43:42
Q&A - 44:09
Update - 46:30

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Video Reviews

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"Deathdream" Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Review (Blue Underground)

Written by MrParka 
​                Blue Underground brings Bob Clark’s most underrated film to HD for the first time in the states. The 70’s horror masterpiece is loaded with a slew of features and two commentaries. “Deathdream” sports amazing talent behind and in front of the camera. From academy award winners John Marley and Lynn Carlin as Andy’s parents, to special effects artists Tom Savini, and writer Alan Ormsby. This powerful psychological political horror masterpiece deserves to be seen by any self-respecting horror fan.
                “Deathdream” follows the story of a normal American middle class family whose only son Andy, dies in the Vietnam War. To their confusion and happiness, Andy returns home in the middle of the night soon after they receive the news. The happy family reunion turns sour when their beloved son seems unresponsive, strange, and violent. Along with the return of Andy, bodies begin showing up drained of blood. The happy family facade begins to crack when Andy’s family begins to lie to themselves, other family members, and the authorities. With these lies also come deep harbored feelings of resentment toward each other that eventually destroy this once “perfect” family.
                “Deathdream” is one of the most emotionally gripping horror films of the 70s. It’s a bold statement about Vietnam, drug abuse, family relations, and generation gaps. One can’t help but feel helpless and mercilessly beaten up after watching the film. The messages and social importance are even stronger than the horror elements. Our beloved and innocent sons are sent over to fight a war and, if they do manage to come back to Middle America, are transformed  into metaphorical monsters. In “Deathdream” it’s a literal interpretation; Andy has become a monster.  A vampire-zombie like creature that requires blood injected directly into him to survive, the blood doubling as an obvious drug metaphor.  The interaction between Andy and a WW2 veteran shows the dramatic difference in warfare and the generational difference and opinions toward war. The WW2 vet recollects candidly about his war stories with Andy’s father while Andy stares blankly dead on the inside and out. The moments of horror are done mostly in a typical style, but the most powerful is the one involving the family dog and is done in a straight forward, matter of fact way. This scene is one of the most powerful scenes in the film only second fiddle to the macabre, nightmarish, and touching ending. Nothing can quite convey a mother’s love as poignantly as Lynn Carlin's final line does, “Some boys never come home.” 
                Blue Underground, again, does a fantastic job bringing the classic to Blu-ray. For any fans of classic 70’s cinema, make sure to put “Deathdream” on the must see list. Like all true classic horror films it overcomes its budget and genre to become something special.



Plot Summary:
In this shattering variation on "The Monkey's Paw," grief-stricken suburban parents (Academy Award® nominees John Marley of THE GODFATHER and Lynn Carlin of FACES) refuse to accept the news that their son Andy (Richard Backus) has been killed in Vietnam. But when Andy returns home soon after, something may be horribly wrong: Andy is alive and well... or is he? Produced and directed by Bob Clark (BLACK CHRISTMAS) and written by Alan Ormsby (DERANGED), DEATHDREAM was one of the very first films to confront the domestic ravages of the Vietnam War. More than forty years later, it remains one of the most chilling horror films of all time.

DEATHDREAM was released under several different titles, including DEAD OF NIGHT, THE NIGHT WALK and THE NIGHT ANDY CAME HOME, and marked the grisly debut of gore effects legend Tom Savini (DAWN OF THE DEAD). Blue Underground is proud to present this acclaimed zombie shocker in a new 2K restoration from the 35mm negative in its most complete version ever, along with original and brand-new Extras exclusive to this release!


Special Features: 

- Audio Commentary #1 with Co-Producer/Director Bob Clark
- Audio Commentary #2 with Writer/Make-Up Artist (Uncredited) Alan Ormsby
- A Recollection With Star Anya Liffey and Writer/Make-Up Artist Alan Ormsby
- Notes For A Homecoming Interview with Composer Carl Zittrer
- Flying Down To Brooksville Interview with Production Manager John Bud Cardos
- Tom Savini: The Early Years
- Deathdreaming Interview with Star Richard Backus
- Alternate Opening Titles
- Theatrical Trailer
- Still Galleries
- Alan Ormsby Student Film
- BONUS Collectable Booklet with new essay by critic Travis Crawford

Blue Underground Website - http://blue-underground.com/
Buy Here - ​https://grindhousevideo.com/products/deathdream-blu-raydvd

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"The Thingy: Confessions of a Teenage Placenta" Blu-Ray Review (Troma)

Written by MrParka 
                   Troma brings the Belgium oddity, “The Thingy: Confessions of a Teenage Placenta” to Blu-Ray. With a title like that one should know it’s going to get weird and that is exactly what it gets… real weird.
                “The Thingy” follows the life of a placenta that is born into a cruel world and must find his way without being eaten. The placenta is born to a single body building rage monster mother who names him Luke. Luke is traumatized when the family dog attacks him. This incident, along with a strange push of military focus from his mother and a lack of a father, causes Luke to become an introvert.  Soon Luke’s life becomes more complicated by sexual awakenings and other high school problems.  To make matters worse the poor placenta isn’t accepted by any of his peers and only has a pair of street bums and a creepy priest to talk to.
                “The Thingy” plays as part “Basket Case” sequel and part nasty, dark coming of age comedy. The humor relies on sight gags along with jet black humor. It’s hard to not feel a bit sorry for our disgusting mound of flesh that writhes from place to place when not using his small motorized car. The scenes where Luke is bullied are done effectively as well as grotesquely, as blood jets onto the bathroom stalls. The part of the mother is played by Pascal Maetens (a huge body building male) and is by far one of the weirdest characters in the film, one of her arms being covered with a prosthetic appliance to look as if she has only trained one part of her body. At times it’s impossible to determine if the film is trying to make you laugh, cry, or even both. When Luke goes on a date and buys his crush a necklace with a dead goldfish on it and proclaims “you have to name it, even if it’s dead,” one can sense a bit of what kind of mixed up world this whole ordeal takes place in. When the soul crushing ending finally happens, our sympathy for Luke is put to the maximum test. “The Thingy: Confessions of a Teenage Placenta” starts off as what might appear to be a zany gross out comedy, but really ends up being a dark somewhat challenging coming of age drama about a misfit. 
                “The Thingy” contains a few typical Troma extras, 10 minutes of deleted scenes, and some behind the scenes with the making of Luke creature. For fans of oddball cinema that enjoy feeling equally tickled and tormented, “The Thingy” is worth looking into.

Plot Summary:
In a twisted world, Marianne gives birth to a rather unusual child. While the child is born dead, life finds its way through the afterbirth. Marianne decides to raise her placenta as a normal human being; as a young man named Luke. Behind his monstrous facade, there reveals a person of intelligence, faith and sensitivity. Luke struggles for his place in a world of drunks, junkies, whores and bodybuilders. An insane world that treats him as a freak. As this hostile society pushes him towards the edge, Luke has to choose between holding on to his gentle ideals or becoming the merciless soldier his mother always wanted him to be.


Special Features: 

- Intro by Lloyd Kaufman (President of Troma Entertainment and creator of The Toxic Avenger)
- Deleted Scenes
- Theatrical trailer
- Featurette: "Am I Really That Ugly?"
- Featurette: "Ham"
- Radiation March
- Troma Now Xtreme Edition
- Return To Nuke Em High Volume 1 Theatrical Trailer
- Return To Return To Nuke Em High AKA Volume 2 Theatrical Trailer

Troma Website - https://www.troma.com/
Buy Here - ​https://grindhousevideo.com/products/thingy-confessions-of-a-teenage-placenta-blu-ray

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"Animal Factory" Blu-Ray Review (Arrow Video) 

Product Description: Troubled youth Ron Decker (Edward Furlong, American History X) is sentenced to a ten-year stint in the notorious San Quentin State Prison for a drug-dealing conviction. Inexperienced in the ways of prison life, he's taken under the wing of Earl Copen (Willem Dafoe, To Live and Die in LA), an experienced con with the entire prison in the palm of his hand - inmates and guards alike. But as Ron grows increasingly cocky in his privileged role as Earl's confidant, is he in danger of biting off more than he can chew with some of the jail's more volatile inhabitants? Based on the semi-autobiographical novel of the same name by Eddie Bunker (Reservoir Dogs), Animal Factory was Steve Buscemi (Lonesome Jim, Interview)'s second stint in the director's chair and sees him marshaling a formidable ensemble cast, including Bunker, Danny Trejo (Machete) and Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler), for a powerful and sincere account of the men caught up in the penal system and the deals they cut with each other, and themselves, in order to survive.

FEATURES:
High Definition digital transfer
Lossless original 2.0 stereo audio
Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
Interview with critic Barry Forshaw covering Eddie Bunker's varied career
Audio commentary by novelist/co-writer/actor Eddie Bunker and co-producer/actor Danny Trejo
Theatrical trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Jacob Phillips

​Buy DVD Here - https://mvdshop.com/products/animal-factory-dvd
Buy Blu-Ray Here -  https://mvdshop.com/products/animal-factory-blu-ray

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"Satan's Cheerleaders" Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Review (VCI) 

Product Description: Benedict High School's cheerleaders aren't shy and sweet. The football team knows them well - and Billy, the school's disturbed janitor, would like to. In the locker room, the girl's shower and dress, unaware of the evil eyes which secretly watch them. They don't know that a curse has been placed on their clothes. And they don't know that their trip to the first big game of the season might sideline them for eternity. Will the cheerleaders succumb to the dark ritual of sexual sacrifice and death that's been plotted for them? Only those who dare watch will know!

FEATURES:
High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
Original Uncompressed Dual Channel Mono Audio
Audio commentary from writer / director Greydon Clark
Photo Gallery

VCI Website - https://www.vcientertainment.com/
Buy Here - ​https://mvdshop.com/products/satans-cheerleaders-blu-ray-dvd-blu-ray

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"Ghastlies" Blu-Ray/DVD Combo (Camp Motion Pictures) 

Product Description: 
Three sorority sisters plan an initiation for their nerdy friend during a weekend getaway.  Things don’t go exactly as planned when they accidentally stumble upon a craft containing a trio of extraterrestrial ghastly ghouls!  Armed with only their boyfriends and brains, they resolve to send these pint-sized gatecrashers back to the edge of the universe - or die trying.

GHASTLIES is an exuberant homage to 80s tiny critter movies featuring a tubular electro-pop score. 

Special Features: 
Commentary with director Brett Kelly and actor Trevor Payer 
Going Ghastlies FX Featurette
Tomb Talks Tubular Toonage
They’re Ghastlies music video

Camp Motion Pictures Website
​- https://www.alternativecinema.com/studio/camp-motion-pictures
Buy Here- https://mvdshop.com/products/ghastlies-blu-ray

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"Heathers" Blu-Ray Review (Image Entertainment) 

Product Description: 
Westerburg High School’s elite clique of popular girls is “The Heathers,” comprised of the powerful Heather Chandler, the green-with-envy Heather Duke, and the cowardly Heather McNamara. Rounding out the foursome is Veronica Sawyer (Winona Ryder), who is so fed up with the Heathers and the entire peer pressure cooker that she starts running with J.D. (Christian Slater), a mysterious – and possibly psychotic – motorcycle-riding newcomer. But what begins as their noble effort to rid Westerburg of its bad apples ends up taking a real toll. And their teen rebellion produces a serious and mounting body count. Shannen Doherty co-stars in this cruelly hilarious dark comedy, which became one of the biggest cult classics of the ‘80s.

Buy Here - https://www.amazon.com/Heathers-Blu-ray-Winona-Ryder/dp/B0053TWVZA/

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"The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid" Blu-Ray Review (Koch Entertainment) 

Product Description: 
The final days of the infamous James gang are meticulously detailed in this riveting account of the group's most daring robbery. Led by the introspective Cole Younger (Cliff Robertson) and the nearly psychotic Jesse James (Robert Duvall), the much-glorified desperadoes set their sights on the biggest bank west of the Mississippi. The gritty action and dialogue, based on documented fact, chronicles the robbery from Younger's decision to storm the seemingly impregnable depository right up to the precision-planned assault. Directed in semi-documentary style by Philip Kaufman, this taut action-adventure shows the West as it truly was … and why it will never be forgotten.

Buy Here- https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B017LIHNP8/

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"The Long Riders" Blu-Ray Review (Kino Lorber) 

Product Description:  Brand New 4K Restoration! From the great Walter Hill (Extreme Prejudice) – Jesse James and his gang of outlaws ride again in this extraordinary western that pulsates with hard-driving action and electrifying drama. Four sets of actor brothers – David Carradine, Keith Carradine and Robert Carradine; James Keach and Stacy Keach; Randy Quaid and Dennis Quaid; Christopher Guest and Nicholas Guest – each depict real-life siblings in this emotionally charged portrayal of the Old West's legendary bandits. The notorious James-Younger gang is the most famous group of outlaws in the country, robbing banks, trains and stagecoaches with a sense of daring that makes them folk heroes throughout the land. But when the mighty Pinkerton detective agency swears to track them down, these criminals must face an awesome enemy that will stop at nothing to see them behind bars...or dead! Only through the strength of their loyalty and blood ties can the outlaws hope to survive the brutal pursuits, unexpected betrayals and blistering showdowns that mark the end of their dangerous ride.

Blu-ray Extras Include:
Brand New 4K Restoration
Audio commentary by film historians Howard S. Berger, Steve Mitchell and Nathaniel Thompson
Interview with stars Keith and Robert Carradine
Interview with stars Stacy and James Keach
Interview with star Randy Quaid
Interview with actor Nicholas Guest
Interview with Director Walter Hill
Interview with Composer Ry Cooder
Interview with Producer Tim Zinnemann
Outlaw Brothers: The Making of The Long Riders (61 Minutes)
The Northfield Minnesota Raid: Anatomy of a Scene (15 Minutes)
Slow Motion: Walter Hill on Sam Peckinpah (6 Minutes)
5.1 Surround Audio
Reversible Blu-ray Art
Original Theatrical Trailer

Kino Website - https://www.kinolorber.com/
Buy Here - ​https://www.kinolorber.com/product/view/id/4581

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Contest Time!

Winner of "Psycho Cop Returns" and "The Mule" on DVD is Jonathan Wilhelm 
 
To Win "Over Your Dead Body" on DVD do the following
 
1. Like the 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 on this page 

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Q&A

​​Please ask a question to have it answered on the next video show. Please leave your question in the comment section below. 

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Update 

Blu-Rays
​1. Drum
2. McCabe & Mrs. Miller 

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Film Notes

Deathdream - 1974 - Bob Clark
The Thingy: Confessions of a Teenage Placenta - 2013 - Joël Rabijns,  Yves Sondermeier
Animal Factory - 2000 - Steve Buscemi 
Satan's Cheerleaders - 1977 - Greydon Clark 
Ghastlies - 2016 - Brett Kelly 
Heathers - 1988 - Michael Lehmann
The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid - 1972 - Phillip Kaufman  
The Long Riders - 1980 - Walter Hill