BLACK CHRISTMAS "Season's Grievings" Blu-ray/DVD

Anchor Bay Canada recently announced a brand new DVD/Blu-ray celebrating the 41st anniversary of the release of Bob Clark's holiday horror classic, BLACK CHRISTMAS. The "Season's Grievings" edition is out November 24th and sports all new bonus features, including a new documentary about BLACK CHRISTMAS directed by George Mihalka (MY BLOODY VALENTINE). Sounds great, huh? Unfortunately, this new release will only be made available in Canada. Check out the full press release from Anchor Bay below and sound off in the comments section (also below). I have a feeling Amazon.ca will be shipping a lot of these to the U.S. this holiday season...

                                                        

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2015

He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake…

Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada Present

Black Christmas:

Season’s Grievings Edition

Coming to Canada on Blu-rayTM & DVD November 24, 2015

“A terrifying genre masterpiece.” -Dave Alexander - Rue Morgue Magazine

TORONTO, ON – Critical Mass Releasing Inc and Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada are proud to present Canadian horror classic Black Christmas: Season’s Grievings Edition to Blu-ray and DVD on November 24. In celebration of the 41st Anniversary of the film, this version comes packed with brand new bonus features that will place this release atop horror fans holiday gift lists from coast to coast.

The college town of Bedford is receiving an unwelcome guest this Christmas.  As the residents of sorority house Pi Kappa Sig prepare for the festive season, a

demonic stranger begins to stalk the house.  A series of grisly obscene

phone-calls start to plague the residents of the sorority and soon they will each meet their fate at the hands of the psychotic intruder. As the Police try to trace the calls, they discover that nothing is as it seems during this Black Christmas.

"Black Christmas is one of the scariest movies ever made, period."

- Richard Crouse, CTV's Canada AM

Black Christmas (1974) is a chilling and well-crafted slasher film by the late Bob Clark (Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things, Deathdream, Christmas Story, Porky’s). This classic horror title is considered by genre connoisseurs to be the greatest horror film to come out of Canada and the movie proved to be a huge influence on the slasher films (such as Halloween) that followed it. Black Christmas stands up as an innovative film today and stars John Saxon, Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, Art Hindle and Andrea Martin.

"Often copied, never duplicated, few horror movies measure up to Black Christmas " -Chris Alexander, Fangoria

The Black Christmas: 41st Anniversary Season’s Grievings Edition features brand new bonus material including a new documentary Black Christmas Legacy by George Mihalka (director of My Bloody Valentine) and Justin McConnell (The Collapsed), packaged in new artwork created by Illustrator Gary Pullin.

BLU-RAY EDITION BONUS FEATURES:

-Black Christmas Legacy: NEW documentary

-40th Anniversary Panel at FanExpo 2014 featuring John Saxon, Art Hindle, Lynne Griffin & Nick Mancuso

Commentary Tracks:

-Billy Is Watching: NEW commentary with Billy himself (Nick Mancuso as Billy)

Archival Featurettes:

- "12 Days of Black Christmas" Documentary

- "Black Christmas Revisited" Documentary

- Interviews: Olivia Hussey, Art Hindle, Margot Kidder, Bob Clark, & John Saxon

- Midnight Screening Q&A w/ John Saxon, Bob Clark, Carl Zittrer

- Two original scenes with a new vocal soundtrack

- Original Trailer

- Alternate Trailer - Original English and French Trailers

- Original TV and Radio Spots

- Alternative Title Sequences

- Rue Morgue Magazine retrospective 16-page booklet featuring interviews with cast and crew

DVD EDITION BONUS FEATURES:

Commentary Tracks:

-Billy Is Watching: NEW commentary with Billy himself (Nick Mancuso as Billy)

-Commentary: Bob Clark, and John Saxon with Keir Dullea

-Black Christmas Legacy: NEW documentary

-40th Anniversary Panel at FanExpo 2015 featuring John Saxon, Art Hindle, Lynne Griffin & Nick Mancuso  

- Archival Doc: "12 Days of Black Christmas"

- Midnight Screening Q&A w/ John Saxon, Bob Clark, Carl Zittrer  

-Two original scenes with a new vocal soundtrack

- Original Trailer

 - Rue Morgue retrospective 16 booklet featuring interviews with cast and crew

About Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada

Anchor Bay Entertainment Canada is the Toronto based office of Anchor Bay Entertainment, a leading independent home entertainment company celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2015. Anchor Bay acquires and releases a wide array of filmed entertainment in the theatrical and home entertainment markets, including STARZ Original series, children's entertainment, fitness (Anchor Bay Fitness), sports and specialty films on Blu-ray™ and DVD formats. The company has long-term distribution agreements in place for select programming with The Weinstein Company, AMC Networks and RADiUS, among others. Headquartered in Beverly Hills, CA, Anchor Bay Entertainment www.anchorbayentertainment.com) is a full service distributor in the North American market. Anchor Bay Entertainment is a Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) business, www.starz.com. For more information visit www.anchorbayentertainment.ca

https://twitter.com/anchorbaycanada

https://www.facebook.com/AnchorBayEntertainmentCanada

Upcoming Trick or Treat Studios Masks for 2015

Several Trick or Treat Studio's artists recently posted pictures on their individual Instagram accounts featuring their mask designs for Trick or Treat Studio's slate of 2015 releases. Check out the pictures below (my personal faves being JAWS and the zombie from ZOMBI) and let me know what you think in the comments section (also below).

My Favorite Horror Movies of 2014

Non-FRIDAY-THE-13TH...Friday the 13th Movie Recommendations

Feel like watching something other than a Friday the 13th movie on Friday the 13th? Well, I've got a few Friday the 13th movie recommendations that aren't Friday the 13th movies that I think you should consider. Check'em out and let me know what you think in the comments section below.

• JUST BEFORE DAWN (1981). Give another 80's slasher a shot! Just Before Dawn boasts an effectively eerie score and atmosphere, complimented by beautiful cinematography and an overwhelming sense that something just ain't right in these woods! Though mostly overlooked by horror fans, Just Before Dawn is a cut above most slashers of it time.
• DARK NIGHT OF THE SCARECROW (1981). Following the killing of a falsely accused mentally handicapped man at the hands of an angry mob, we discover that revenge is a dish best served...from beyond the grave! An exceptionally well made and acted TV movie.
• THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN (1976). Fact-based docu-horror finds a small Texas town terrorized by a twisted serial killer. The film was relegated to bootlegging circles for years before SCREAM! Factory finally released it on Blu-ray. Jason's look in Friday the 13th Part 2 was clearly influenced by the killer's sack-headed attire. Check out my full review of The Town That Dreaded Sundown here.
• BAY OF BLOOD (TWITCH OF THE DEATH NERVE) (1971). Both Friday the 13th and its sequel clearly drew inspiration from Italian giallo movies, none more so than Mario Bava's Bay of Blood (Twitch of the Death Nerve), which finds a group of inheritance-seekers and horny teens meeting their demise in increasingly gory fashion. It moves a bit slower than the traditional American slasher movie, but has all of the nakedness and bloodshed that Friday the 13th fans will undoubtedly appreciate.
• SESSION 9 (2001). This chilling psychological thriller finds a crew of men removing asbestos at an abandoned mental hospital with a horrifying past that may be repeating itself. Exceptionally well written, directed and acted, Session 9 is a must-own and one of the best horror films of the 2000's.

Entertainment Weekly Ranks the Friday the 13th Films

To celebrate the announcement of the upcoming FRIDAY THE 13TH television series, Entertainment Weekly recently posted an article ranking the movies. You can find the complete article here, along with some info on the series. Personally, I think the list is bunk (Freddy Vs. Jason is ranked the fourth best film on the staff writer's list!), but check it out for yourself. Sound off in the comments section below, and share your own rankings of the Friday movies from best to worst.

Also, remember to mark your calenders for 13 Days of...FRIDAY THE 13TH beginning Sunday, June 1st on my YouTube channel. Check out the video below for more details.

13 Days of...FRIDAY THE 13TH

To commemorate the one and only Friday the 13th of 2014, I've decided to celebrate the date with a special series of reviews I'm calling: 13 Days of FRIDAY THE 13TH! 

Beginning next Sunday, June 1st and continuing through Friday, June 13th -- I'll be uploading a daily review of every FRIDAY THE 13TH film. The videos will go live on my YouTube channel each day at noon eastern time. Then, on Friday the 13th, join THE SAUSAGE FACTORY as we sit down to do a special live commentary for the original FRIDAY THE 13TH beginning at 7PM EST. The full schedule is listed below.

• Sunday, June 1st: FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980)
• Monday, June 2nd: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2
• Tuesday, June 3rd: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 3
• Wednesday, June 4th: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART IV: THE FINAL CHAPTER
• Thursday, June 5th: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART V: A NEW BEGINNING
• Friday, June 6th: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VI: JASON LIVES
• Saturday, June 7th: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VII: THE NEW BLOOD
• Sunday, June 8th: FRIDAY THE 13TH PART VIII: JASON TAKES MANHATTAN
• Monday, June 9th: JASON GOES TO HELL: THE FINAL FRIDAY
• Tuesday, June 10th: JASON X
• Wednesday, June 11th: FREDDY VS. JASON
• Thursday, June 12th: FRIDAY THE 13TH (2009)
• Friday, June 13th: THE SAUSAGE FACTORY live commentary for FRIDAY THE 13TH (1980) beginning at 7PM EST.

Make sure you're subscribed to my YouTube channel, as well as THE SAUSAGE FACTORY to join in on the FRIDAY THE 13TH fun!

My YouTube channel.

The Sausage Factory YouTube channel.

The Sausage Factory website.

The Lost - DEATHDREAM (1972)

Check out my review of 1972's DEATHDREAM from director Bob Clark, as my series of lesser known, more obscure movie reviews - THE LOST - continues!

File 13 - THREE ON A MEATHOOK (1973)

My series of cult, sleaze, exploitation and b-movies - FILE 13 - continues with my review of 1973's THREE ON A MEATHOOK.

The Lost - THE MUTILATOR (1985)

My series of reviews focusing on obscure and lesser known movies - THE LOST - continues with my review of THE MUTILATOR from 1985.

File 13 - ZOMBIE LAKE (1981)

My series of cult, sleaze, exploitation and B-movie reviews - FILE 13 - continues with my review of 1981's ZOMBIE LAKE. 

File 13 - HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD (1980)

My series of cult, sleaze, exploitation and B-movie reviews - FILE 13 - with 1980's HELL OF THE LIVING DEAD.

FRIDAY THE 13TH Part 4 Panel at Mad Monster Party 2014

Check out the FRIDAY THE 13TH: THE FINAL CHAPTER panel discussion footage I shot at Mad Monster Party 2014 in Charlotte, N.C.

File 13 - DON'T GO IN THE WOODS (1981)

Check out my review of DON'T GO IN THE WOODS (1981), as my series of cult, exploitation and b movie reviews - FILE 13 - continues!

The Lost - ALIEN 3: THE ASSEMBLY CUT (2003)

My series of reviews focusing on obscure and lesser known movies - THE LOST - continues with ALIEN 3: THE ASSEMBLY CUT (2003).

FILE 13 - HOWLING II (1985)

My series of cult, sleaze and exploitation film reviews entitled FILE 13 continues with HOWLING II (1985).



NURSE 3D (2014) - Movie Review

Check out my review of NURSE 3D (2014).

The Lost - THE GATE 2 (1990)

"The Lost" are movies that have largely flown under the radar, but deserve to be seen.  To kick off this new series of reviews, I've decided to spotlight the little known sequel, THE GATE 2.  

Horror...with a Heart (Horror Movie Picks for Valentine's Day)

Who says horror movies can't have a heart?  As Valentine's Day draws near, I compiled this list of my personal favorite horror movies with a romantic edge for your Valentine's Day perusal. Forgive me in advance for not including the classic slasher My Bloody Valentine to this list or Bram Stoker's Dracula.  Both are just way too obvious.  So dim the lights, snuggle up close with that special someone and get ready to have your heart HANDED TO YOU!

1. Let the Right One In (2008).  I'll forever be in awe of this beautiful and haunting Swedish film.  The story centers on a bullied and alienated 12 year old boy who finds a kindred spirit in a (who knows how old) vampire trapped in a young girl's body.  The film tones down the vampire mythos - without toning down the bloodshed - and focuses on the desperate and poignant relationship between the two young leads.  The film is grim, inspiring, sorrowful, harrowing and, in the end, incredibly moving.  A masterpiece.  (I also, though less devoutly, recommend the American remake - Let Me In.  Check out my full review of it here.)

2. Cemetery Man (1994).  Cemetery Man is quite frankly one of the most beautifully shot, poetic and hypnotic horror films ever made. Director Michele Soavi, a protege of Dario Argento, creates a spellbinding, surrealist atmosphere and then soaks everything in gore!  Rupert Everett plays a cemetery caretaker who's job is to dispatch the living dead ("returners") when they rise hungry from their graves. He is granted a brief reprieve from the loneliness of his grim profession when he begins an affair with Anna Fulchi (who plays no less than 3 different characters in the film!), only to lose her and then longingly ponder the meaning of existence. The movie's excessive bloodshed is offset by its wicked sense of humor and whimsy.  It is truly a sublime nightmare.

3. Thirst (2009).  Park Chan-wook (Old Boy, Stoker) is one of the most celebrated directors working today, and for good reason.  His 2009 film, Thirst, finds a Catholic priest volunteering to undergo an experimental medical procedure only to die and be resurrected as a vampire by a tainted blood transfusion. Now he struggles not only with his thirst for human blood, but with the overpowering desire he feels for a young woman trapped in a bad marriage.  Eventually the two embark on a blood-soaked journey. The vampire elements are grounded nicely by the honesty portrayed in the highs and lows the two confront over the course of the film and their relationship.

4. May (2002).  At the core of Lucky McKee's May is the story of a desperately lonely person wanting to connect with others.  At some point in all our lives we've felt the same way - the outsider, the freak, forever alone. Matters are complicated for May, however, as she's just a little...unhinged. Instead of searching for the perfect friend/mate, May decides she'd rather create her own using "all the best parts". May sports an offbeat, dark-as-hell sense of humor and a great cast, including an outstanding performance from Angela Bettis in the lead. May is a must-own.


List your own favorite horror movies with a heart in the comments section below, and have a great Valentine's Day!

File 13 - THE PIT (1981)

My series of cult, sleaze and exploitation film reviews continues with my thoughts on 1981's THE PIT.

SLEEPAWAY CAMP Uncut Blu-ray from SCREAM! Factory

SCREAM! Factory announced yesterday their plans of releasing one of my all time favorite 80's slasher movies, SLEEPAWAY CAMP, not only to Blu-ray, but in its uncut form next year!

Here's what SCREAM! Factory had to say about it on their Facebook:

"Happy Halloween everyone! We are super excited to announce to you on this special day that we will be releasing the original uncut SLEEPAWAY CAMP film on Blu-ray for the first time next Spring!

This will most definitely be a Collector's Edition (new art is being worked on it as we type) and is planned to come loaded with great extras that will be announced at a later date. We love this film and will certainly aim to please fans of Angela, Aunt Martha, cussing cousin Ricky, Judy, Meg and the rest of Camp Arawak's memorable counselors and campers."

Judging by past "Collector's Editions" from SCREAM! Factory, fans of this film can surely expect a pristine HD transfer with oodles of extras.  I personally can not wait!  What say you?

Check out my review of the SLEEPAWAY CAMP series below.