THIS WEEK's RELEASES include Mike Hodges most iconic coming to 4K UHD, Indicator does a Don Chaffey Hammer, Budd Boetticher, Frank Perry and Robert Downey Sr. - Imprint do a Jim Sheridan box, Paul Newman gem, and Ken Russell's Whore... Eureka do double Johnnie To and Synapse do Argento 4K UHD. Wow....
THIS WEEK's CALENDAR UPDATES (NEW!): More Criterion David Lynch 4K UHD plus George Romero, 50's sci-fi double feature gets the 4K UHD treatment, John Dahl, neonoir gem, 50's Jules Dassin, Hirokazu Koreeda, Stephen Shin, , Paul W.S. Anderson sci-fi in 4K, Michael Mann in 4K, Nicolas Roeg masterwork, Charlize is a monster, Angela Mao delightful double feature, Lewis Milestone X2, John M. Stahl, Mark Robson, Invisible Man TV, Adrian Lyne 4K thriller, Monty Python goes 4K, Oliver Stone 4K, 70's Japanese space, Sam Raimi goes 4K, 60's Japan crime-mystery, Tom Holland popular 80's horror gets a 4K, silent Casanova. Criterion do Capra, K. Kurosawa, Bustamante and Lemmons, Indicator compile Michael J Murphy, Nun's and Devils.......
THIS WEEK'S REVIEWS: Britain's most iconic gangster-revenge drama in 4K UHD, Hammer cavemen and cavewomen, Mario Bava sci-fi horror, Koreeda inflatable, and Night Gallery - stacked cast - prime 70's TV...
Enjoy,
Gary

RELEASES the WEEK of August 1st, 2022 (Recommended titles have "**")

The Beast aka The Beast of War [Blu-ray] (Kevin Reynolds, 1988) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: There is no room in a tank for a conscience' A Soviet tank unit led by Commander Daskal (George Dzundza) destroys a village in Afghanistan in 1981. Taj (Steven Bauer), a member of the village, vows revenge and pursues him, along with the mujahideen. Kevin Reynolds' The Beast is universally considered one of the most underrated films of the 1980's. It's a harrowing yet gripping feature with unforgettable performances.
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**Bullfighter and the Lady** [Blu-ray] (Budd Boetticher, 1951) RB UK Indicator
UK PURCHASE LINK
INDICATOR PURCHASE LINK
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: "American sportsman Johnny Regan (Robert Stack, Written on the Wind) goes to a bullfight while holidaying in Mexico and witnesses the great matador Manolo Estrada (Gilbert Roland, She Done Him Wrong) in action. The two men meet later that evening, and Johnny becomes entranced by Anita (Joy Page, Casablanca), a friend of Manolo’s. Impressed by the world of bullfighting, and seeking to impress Anita, Johnny becomes Manolo's pupil so that he, too, may become a champion torero. Produced by John Wayne, and based in part on Budd Boetticher’s experiences as a novice bullfighter, Bullfighter and the Lady was initially released in a shorter 87-minute cut, reputedly edited by John Ford. In 1986, with the aid of Boetticher and Stack, the complete 124-minute version was restored, revealing the film to be a true masterpiece. Both cuts are presented on this edition, alongside Boetticher’s final work as a director, the 1985 documentary My Kingdom For… which is part autobiography, part history of the bullfighting art of rejoneo."
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Catch the Heat [Blu-ray] (Joel Silberg, 1987) Kino Lorber/Scorpion
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Tiana Alexandra (The Killer Elite) is Checkers Goldberg. She’s tough and she’s deadly. Like a one-woman strike force, she punches, kicks and shoots her way from the streets of San Francisco to the underbelly of South America in the sizzling, action-packed thrill-ride, Catch the Heat. Following a grisly trail of violence to Buenos Aires, Checkers masquerades as exotic dancer Cinderella Pu and discovers that kingpin Jason Hannibal—deviously played by screen great Rod Steiger (A Fistful of Dynamite)—is smuggling heroin out of the country by surgically implanting the contraband inside the bodies of unsuspecting young women. Pretending to submit to Hannibal’s gruesome operation, Checkers is suddenly plunged into the ultimate confrontation where only her wits and blazing martial arts savvy can save her. Co-starring David Dukes (Rawhead Rex), Professor Toru Tanaka (The Perfect Weapon) and Brian Thompson (Cobra), this explosive ’80s actioner features direction by Joel Silberg (Breakin’, Rappin’, Lambada) from a script by award-winning screenwriter Stirling Silliphant (In the Heat of the Night, Charly, The Towering Inferno).
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**Don Chaffey's "Creatures the World Forgot"** Blu-ray - Julie Ege @indicatorseries
UK PURCHASE LINK
INDICATOR PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Don Chaffey's Creatures the World Forgot another Hammer cave-man adventure after One Million Years B.C. Prehistoric Women, and When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth. This focuses on the daily struggle of Stone Age men after a volcanic catastrophe; surviving - food foraging - hunting, combing with another tribe, battling for clan leadership supremacy, acquiring mates, having a family and, authentically... no dinosaurs. I found it similar to Quest For Fire. It is not overly dependant on Hammer-esque scantily-clad tribeswomen although with Julie Ege, and frankly Marcia Fox, it was part of the advertising enticement. Creatures the World Forgot still rated 'suitable only for adults' mostly because of the realistic violence regarding the hunting portion. I don't get why this is not more embraced by Hammer fans. I was very keen. The Indicator Blu-ray is, as their standard, strong a/v, stacked with a commentary, appreciations, a booklet and handsome cover package. A keeper for me. Absolutely recommended!
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**Diary of a Mad Housewife** [Blu-ray] (Frank Perry, 1970) RB UK Indicator
UK PURCHASE LINK
INDICATOR PURCHASE LINK
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW
COMMENTS: "Superbly directed by Frank Perry (The Swimmer, Play It as It Lays), with a scathing screenplay by Eleanor Perry (David and Lisa, Ladybug Ladybug), Diary of a Mad Housewife tells the story of Tina Balser (Carrie Snodgress, The Fury, Pale Rider) a frustrated housewife trapped in an unhappy marriage to an insufferably controlling, status-obsessed bore (Richard Benjamin, Catch-22). Tina seeks solace in a fling with an abusive lover, the arrogant writer Georg Prager (Frank Langella, Dracula), who treats her like a sex object, leading to therapy and further unhappiness. A caustic deconstruction of male chauvinism, Diary of a Mad Housewife was a huge critical hit, earning its female lead an Academy Award nomination upon its release. The Perrys’ film is presented here in both its theatrical cut, and a long-unseen alternative TV version."
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**Directed by Jim Sheridan: Four Irish Films 1989-1997** [Blu-ray] - My Left Foot (1989), The Field (1990), In the Name Of The Father (1993) and The Boxer (1997) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Jim Sheridan: Ireland's finest director. Jim Sheridan, was a prominent figure of the New Wave of Irish film-making in the 1990s. His work has always been praised for his balance between mainstream entertainment and social statements on Irish issues. "My Left Foot" (1989), which marked the first of three successful collaborations with actor and fellow Irishman Daniel Day-Lewis including "In The Name Of The Father (1993) & "The Boxer" (1997) all which earned universal acclaim. His second film "The Field" (1990) (making it's Blu-ray debut in this box) was overlooked at the time of release and is now ripe for re-appraisal with praised performances from Richard Harris, Sean Bean & John Hurt. This limited edition collection bring all four films together for the first time with stunning HD presentations, newly produced interviews, commentaries and features all confirming that Sheridan is a powerful force behind the camera. * My Left Foot (1989); * The Field (1990); * In the Name Of The Father (1993); * The Boxer (1997).
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**Flatliners [4K UHD Blu-ray]** (Joel Schumacher, 1990) UK Arrow
UK 4K UHD PURCHASE LINK
UK BLU-RAY PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Known for his impressively eclectic filmography and for helping to launch the careers of several young Hollywood stars of the 80s and 90s, Joel Schumacher (The Lost Boys, St. Elmo’s Fire) tackles the existential question that, at one time or another, haunts us all: what awaits us after we die At the University Hospital School of Medicine, five ambitious students subject themselves to a daring experiment: to temporarily induce their own deaths, hoping to glimpse the afterlife before being brought back to life. But as competition within the group intensifies and their visions of the world beyond increasingly bleed into their waking lives, they’re about to learn that the greatest threat comes not from the spirit world but from the long-suppressed secrets of their own pasts Stylishly photographed by Jan de Bont (Basic Instinct) and featuring a cast of Hollywood’s hottest talent – including Kiefer Sutherland (Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me), Julia Roberts (Secret in their Eyes) and Kevin Bacon (Wild Things) – Flatliners is the ultimate life-and-death thrill ride.
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**Mike Hodges' "Get Carter" 4K UHD** - Michael Caine @BFI
UK 4K UHD PURCHASE LINK

UK BLU-RAY PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Mike Hodges' "Get Carter" has kind of been enshrined in the lore of British cinema... and has, certainly, passed the test of time with continued high praise. It's goal was to create a more realistic portrayal of criminal behavior than had previously been seen in British cinema. The plot is slowly revealing building upon the revenge factor and exemplifying Caine's anti-hero protagonist's remorselessness. It touches upon Britain's class structure with a dour look at life in the north. Other actors were considered for roles; Telly Savalas, Joan Collins, Barbara Parkins etc.. Hodges wrote the screenplay with Ian Hendry in mind for Carter - he eventually played 'Eric'. The character of the assassin was only seen as a "J" initial on his ring. It was Carl Howard's only film role. BFI's 4K UHD release of "Get Carter" is brilliant in terms of its film-like image, and has a plethora of supplements from the new, and older, commentary, interviews, 80-page booklet and more. Very strongly recommended!
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The Music of Chance [Blu-ray] (Philip Haas, 1993) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Jack Pozzi is about to take the biggest gamble of his life. Whilst traveling across America living off the money from a large inheritance, ex-fireman Nashe (Mandy Patinkin) has a chance meeting with Pozzi (James Spader), a professional gambler and card shark. Nashe agrees to fund the penniless Pozzi in a game of poker against two eccentric millionaires, Flower and Stone, in an attempt to regain some of his spent fortune. His gamble has unforeseen and bizarre consequences for both himself and Pozzi. Highly underrated cult gem from the early 90's. Directed by acclaimed American artist, screenwriter and filmmaker Philip Haas and based on the novel by author Paul Auster. Starring Mandy Patinkin, James Spader, M. Emmet Walsh, Charles Durning, Joel Grey, Samantha Mathis & Chris Penn. "The Music of Chance is an artfully constructed trap. Like a lobster pot, a labyrinth or a game of poker, it draws you in and doesn't let you"
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**Nobody's Fool** [Blu-ray] (Robert Benton, 1994) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: In a town where nothing ever happens. Everything is about to happen to Sully. Paul Newman earned an Oscar nomination plus Best Actor honours from the National Society of Film Critics and New York Film Critics Circle for his portrayal of Sully, a like-able working stiff who's made a lifetime of bad decisions. But he unexpectedly has a chance to make right on some of them when his estranged son-and grandson-drop into his life. Directed by Robert Benton (Twilight) and starring Paul Newman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Melanie Griffith, Bruce Willis, Jessica Tandy & Pruitt Taylor Vince. "Nobody's Fool shines with intelligence and grace"
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**Putney Swope** [Blu-ray] (Robert Downey Sr., 1969) UK Indicator
UK PURCHASE LINK
INDICATOR PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: "Putney Swope (Arnold Johnson, Shaft) is the only Black executive at a stuffy Madison Avenue advertising agency. When the chairman dies unexpectedly, Putney is elected the new boss – because those voting never thought anyone else would to do the same. Putney proceeds to kick out the white majority, replacing them with young, revolutionary types, and renames the agency Truth and Soul. A bracing satire, taking well-aimed pot-shots at capitalism, power and racism in America, Robert Downey’s Putney Swope is a key entry in counterculture cinema, and a landmark of independent filmmaking, and – after more than a half a century – is still very, very funny."
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**Running Out of Time 1 + 2** [Blu-ray] (Johnnie To, 1999 / 2001) RB UK Eureka
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Acclaimed director Johnnie To helms this visually dazzling and nail-bitingly intense action thriller that became one of Hong Kong's biggest box office hits, Running Out of Time. Told by his doctor that he has only 2 weeks to live, Cheung Wah (Andy Lau, who won the Best Actor award at the 2000 Hong Kong Film Awards for his role) decides to take on the entire police force. After crossing paths with Inspector Ho Sheung Sang (Lan Ching-wan)―a cool, analytical police negotiator―Wah challenges the inspector to figure out his plan and catch him in the next 72 hours. Also included is director To's sequel, Running Out of Time 2. Lan Ching-wan reprises his role as Inspector Ho, this time chasing an elusive thief with a taste for the theatrical.
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**Tenebrae [4K UHD Blu-ray]** (Dario Argento, 1982) Synapse Films
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: Italian horror master Dario Argento (Suspiria, Deep Red) elevates the giallo genre to new heights with 1982's TENEBRAE, a darkly humorous and notoriously grisly murder-mystery that many consider to be one of his finest works. Now, Synapse Films, in conjunction with Arrow Video, makes this gory suspense classic available for the first time on UHD in a new 4K restoration for TENEBRAE's 40th anniversary! American mystery author Peter Neal (Anthony Franciosa, Death Wish II) comes to Rome to promote his newest novel, Tenebrae. A razor-wielding psychopath is on the loose, taunting Neal and murdering those around him in gruesome fashion just like the character in his novel. As the mystery surrounding the killings spirals out of control, Neal investigates the crimes on his own, leading to a mind-bending, genre-twisting conclusion that will leave you breathless! Co-starring John Saxon (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Daria Nicolodi (Phenomena), John Steiner (Caligula), this stunning all-new 4K restoration includes hours of extras and, for the first time ever, the alternate U.S. theatrical cut, Unsane.
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Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead [Blu-ray] (Gary Fleder, 1995) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: They can die quickly. They can die slowly. But they must die! When a powerful mob boss (Christopher Walken - Pulp Fiction) gives ex-gangster Jimmy the Saint (Andy Garcia) one last job, it's an offer he can't refuse! But when someone gets killed, Jimmy and his partners are marked for death, leaving Jimmy just 48 hours to put things right for his buddies and the woman of his dreams (beautiful Gabrielle Anwar - Scent Of A Woman)! Acclaimed by critics worldwide, Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead delivers sensational edge-of-your-seat entertainment! Starring Andy Garcia, Christopher Walken, Treat Williams, Christopher Lloyd & Steve Buscemi. "A quirky and inventive thriller".
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Whoops Apocalypse [Blu-ray] (Tom Bussmann, 1986) RB UK Network
UK PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: M*A*S*H's Loretta Swit stars alongside comedy icon Peter Cook, Seinfeld's Michael Richards and the immortal Rik Mayall in the riotous feature film version of one of television's most outrageously controversial satires! Co-starring Ian Richardson, Alexei Sayle and Herbert Lom, Whoops Apocalypse is featured here as a brand-new High Definition remaster from original film elements in its original theatrical aspect ratio. Chaos ensues when a US-backed Central American regime invades a nearby British dependency. When subsequent peace talks are sabotaged by a corporately-funded world-class assassin, events begin to run away with themselves – in the direction of nuclear armageddon!
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**Whore** [Blu-ray] (Ken Russell, 1991) Imprint
US PURCHASE LINK
COMMENTS: If you're afraid to say it. Just see it. Betrayed by her husband, Liz (Theresa Russell) is trapped by poverty and struggling to support her baby. After taking cash to go on a date she begins her life on the street but falls victim to a brutal assault. After becoming increasingly dependent on a pimp, she realizes she must find a way out, but her pimp has other ideas. Ken Russell's Whore is the confronting story of a jaded L.A. prostitute told through flashbacks of her past brutal marriage, inhumane abuse and her time on the streets. Directed by Ken Russell and starring Theresa Russell, Benjamin Mouton, Elizabeth Morehead & Antonio Fargas. Screenplay by Ken Russell and Deborah Dalton and is based on David Hines' monologue, Bondage. "Whore is a deglamourized, hard-hitting surrealistic portrait of prostitution".
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LATEST CALENDAR UPDATES (CLICK TITLES FOR MORE INFORMATION):

July 25th, 2022

**Air Doll** (Hirokazu Koreeda, 2009) Dekanalog
DVDBEAVER DVD REVIEW

**Black Cat** (Stephen Shin, 1991) RB UK 88 Films

**Night Gallery Season 2** (Rod Serling, 1971 ) Kino

Thriller: A Cruel Picture 4K UHD (Bo Arne Vibenius, 1973) Vinegar Syndrome
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August 8th, 2022

**Event Horizon 4K UHD** (Paul W.S. Anderson, 1997) Paramount UK

The Flying Scot (Compton Bennett, 1957) RB UK Studiocanal

The Galloping Major (Henry Cornelius, 1951) RB UK Studiocanal

**Heat [4K UHD Blu-ray]** (Michael Mann, 1995) 20th Century Fox UK

**Walkabout** (Nicolas Roeg, 1971) RB UK Second Sight Films
DVDBEAVER REVIEW

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August 15th, 2022

**Monster** (Patty Jenkins, 2003) RB UK Second Sight Films
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW
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August 22nd, 2022

**Angela Mao: Hapkido (1972) & Lady Whirlwind (1972)** - RB UK Eureka Entertainment

**Red Rock West** (John Dahl, 1993) RB UK Signal One Entertainment
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW

**When Tomorrow Comes** (John M. Stahl, 1939) Kino
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September 5th, 2022

**The Cop** (Yves Boisset, 1970) Kino

**He Who Must Die** (Jules Dassin, 1957) Kino

The Invisible Man: The Complete Series (1975-76) - RB UK Fabulous Films
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW

Paravision Dreams: The Golden Age 3-D Films of Pine and Thomas - Sangaree (1953), Those Redheads from Seattle (1953), Jivaro (1954) - Kino
BEAVER REVIEW    BEAVER REVIEW

They Who Dare (Lewis Milestone, 1954) RB UK Studiocanal

Twice-Told Tales (Sidney Salkow, 1963) Kino
BEAVER REVIEW
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September 12th, 2022

**Bright Victory** (Mark Robson, 1951) Kino

**Fatal Attraction 4K UHD** (Adrian Lyne, 1987) Paramount

**Monty Python's The Meaning of Life 4K UHD** (Terry Jones / Terry Gilliam, 1983) Universal

**Platoon 4K UHD** (Oliver Stone, 1986) Shout! Factory

Voyage Into Space (Minoru Yamada, 1970) Ronin Flix
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September 19th, 2022

The Last Train from Madrid (James P. Hogan, 1937) Kino

McEnroe (Barney Douglas, 2022) RB UK Dogwoof

Orders to Kill (Anthony Asquith, 1958) Indicator US

Raw Deal 4K UHD (John Irvin, 1986) UK Studiocanal

So Proudly We Hail! (Mark Sandrich, 1943) Kino

**The Strange Love of Martha Ivers** (Lewis Milestone, 1946) Kino
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW
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September 26th, 2022

**Army of Darkness 4K UHD** (Sam Raimi, 1992) Shout! Factory

**Buck and the Preacher** [Blu-ray] (Sidney Poitier, 1972) Criterion UK

**A Fugitive from the Past** (Tomu Uchida, 1965) Arrow US
US Blu-ray

UK Blu-ray

**The Great Dictator** (Charles Chaplin, 1940) Criterion UK
DVDBEAVER REVIEW

Hearts and Minds (Peter Davis, 1974) Criterion UK
DVDBEAVER REVIEW

The Incredibly Strange Films Of Ray Dennis Steckler Collector's Set - Severin

**War of the Worlds (1953) and When Worlds Collide (1951) 4K UHD** - Paramount
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October 3rd, 2022

**Bram Stoker's Dracula 4K UHD** (Francis Ford Coppola, 1992) Sony
BEAVER REVIEW

**Fright Night 4K UHD** (Tom Holland, 1985) Sony Pictures

**Night of the Living Dead 4K UHD** (George A. Romero, 1968) Criterion
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October 10th, 2022

**Arsenic and Old Lace** (Frank Capra, 1943) Criterion

Casanova (Alexandre Volkoff, 1927) Flicker Alley

**Lost Highway 4K UHD** (David Lynch, 1997) Criterion
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October 17th, 2022

**Cure** (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 1997) Criterion
ALT-BEAVER REVIEW

**La Llorona** (Jayro Bustamante, 2019) Criterion
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October 24th, 2022

**Eve's Bayou** (Kasi Lemmons, 1997) Criterion

**Magic, Myth and Mutilation: The Micro-budget Cinema of Michael J Murphy 1967-2015** - Indicator

Quiet Days in Clichy 4K UHD (Jens Jørgen Thorsen, 1970) Blue Underground
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November 7th, 2022

The Nun and the Devil (Domenico Paolella, 1973) Twilight Time
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REVIEWS / COMPARISONS:

**Mike Hodges' "Get Carter" 4K UHD** - Michael Caine @BFI
UK 4K UHD PURCHASE LINK

UK BLU-RAY PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Mike Hodges' "Get Carter" has kind of been enshrined in the lore of British cinema... and has, certainly, passed the test of time with continued high praise. It's goal was to create a more realistic portrayal of criminal behavior than had previously been seen in British cinema. The plot is slowly revealing building upon the revenge factor and exemplifying Caine's anti-hero protagonist's remorselessness. It touches upon Britain's class structure with a dour look at life in the north. Other actors were considered for roles; Telly Savalas, Joan Collins, Barbara Parkins etc.. Hodges wrote the screenplay with Ian Hendry in mind for Carter - he eventually played 'Eric'. The character of the assassin was only seen as a "J" initial on his ring. It was Carl Howard's only film role. BFI's 4K UHD release of "Get Carter" is brilliant in terms of its film-like image, and has a plethora of supplements from the new, and older, commentary, interviews, 80-page booklet and more. Very strongly recommended!
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**Don Chaffey's "Creatures the World Forgot"** Blu-ray - Julie Ege @indicatorseries
UK PURCHASE LINK
INDICATOR PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Don Chaffey's Creatures the World Forgot another Hammer cave-man adventure after One Million Years B.C. Prehistoric Women, and When Dinosaurs Ruled the Earth. This focuses on the daily struggle of Stone Age men after a volcanic catastrophe; surviving - food foraging - hunting, combing with another tribe, battling for clan leadership supremacy, acquiring mates, having a family and, authentically... no dinosaurs. I found it similar to Quest For Fire. It is not overly dependant on Hammer-esque scantily-clad tribeswomen although with Julie Ege, and frankly Marcia Fox, it was part of the advertising enticement. Creatures the World Forgot still rated 'suitable only for adults' mostly because of the realistic violence regarding the hunting portion. I don't get why this is not more embraced by Hammer fans. I was very keen. The Indicator Blu-ray is, as their standard, strong a/v, stacked with a commentary, appreciations, a booklet and handsome cover package. A keeper for me. Absolutely recommended!
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**Hirokazu Kore-eda's "Air Doll"** Blu-ray - Bae Du Na @dekanalog_ @VinegarSyndrome
US PURCHASE LINK
CANADIAN PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR COMPARISON
COMMENTS: Coincidently my last review was for Night Gallery Season 2 - that has an episode with a robot maid that has a strange parallel to this 2009 film. Hirokazu Kore-eda's Air Doll is a fascinating 'Pinocchio / Blade Runner / Spielberg's A.I. Artificial Intelligence' social commentary fable. It's equal parts amusing, poignant, distasteful, melancholy, a little sexy and... unusually unique. It touches on so many human themes including loneliness, self-deception, objectification, love, aging, jealousy, fetishism, and desire among others. So different from the director's other films like Maborosi, Distance, After Life and Still Walking. I really enjoyed the bizarre premise and observant take on disposability. It was a pleasure revisiting this strongly recommended film in this higher resolution!
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**Night Gallery Season 2** Blu-ray - Rod Serling @KinoLorber
US PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR REVIEW
COMMENTS: Rod Serling's Night Gallery - Season Two is a Who's Who of 70's TV and a handful of aged big screen stars like Ray Milland, Edward G. Robinson, Laurence Harvey, Vincent Price, Cloris Leachman, Broderick Crawford, Gale Sondergaard, and how about Barbara Steele!
Plus this extensive list; Leslie Nielsen, Fritz Weaver, Patrick O'Neal, Kim Stanley, Robert Morse, Rudy Vallee, Leif Erickson, Pat Boone, James Farentino, Michele Lee, E.G. Marshall, Desi Arnaz Jr., Imogene Coca, Brandon De Wilde, Michael Constantine, Clint Howard, Joseph Campanella, George Maharis, Yaphet Kotto, Tony Roberts, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Arthur O'Connell, Ross Martin, Barbara Rush, Elizabeth Hartman, Sondra Locke, Joanna Pettet, Bob Crane, Patty Duke, Virginia Mayo, David Wayne, Cesar Romero, John Carradine, Carl Reiner, Lindsay Wagner, Glenn Corbett, Susan Strasberg, Barbara Babcock, Joel Grey, Howard Duff, John Saxon, Jack Albertson, Geraldine Page, Cornel Wilde, Bobby Darin, James Gregory, Marjorie Bennett, Bill Bixby, Carol Lynley, Donna Douglas, Buddy Ebsen, Richard Kiley, Julie Adams, Jill Ireland, Ed Nelson, Geraldine Page, Richard Thomas and Alan Napier.
I really enjoyed "The Phantom Farmhouse" with David McCallum falling for a hot werewolf (Linda Marsh as a blonde), always pleasant to hear Orson Welles (narrating "Silent Snow, Secret Snow") and "You Can't Get Help Like That Anymore" with Cloris Leachman and Broderick Crawford torturing their robot maid played by large breasted Lana Wood ('Plenty O'Toole' in the James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever, and, btw, Natalie Wood's sister.) This original anthology television series was often described as "thought-provoking dark fantasy." It has vampires, werewolves, a "Man-Thing"-like monster, witchcraft, grave robbers, doom prophecy, survival attempt of one night in a haunted mansion, Nazis, Dracula, Lovecraftian gods taking revenge, a fake fortune-telling racket, Gothic love story, a unique Pawnshop antique mirror, a witch doctor, a melancholy jukebox, a possessed hand and a painful earwig. Did I say Barbara Steele? What more could you ask for? Kino's Blu-ray package is totally stacked - full of value. Certainly recommended!
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**Mario Bava's "Planet of the Vampires"** Blu-ray - Norma Bengell @KinoLorber
US PURCHASE LINK
BONUS CAPTURES
OUR COMPARISON
COMMENTS: This is such a delightful science-fiction / horror effort and one of the few of this 'space opera' genre by Mario Bava. The influential visual design is intoxicating and the plot fantastical. AIP released Planet of the Vampires on a double feature with Die, Monster, Die!. As Tim Lucas states "Planet of the Vampires is commonly regarded as the best SF film ever made in Italy, and among the most convincing depictions of an alien environment ever put on film". Nu'ff said. This is worth the double-dip for the improved image, subtitle inclusion, the older and additional, excellent, new commentary and the fabulous package (and menu) art. Absolutely recommended!
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DVDBeaver Newsletter for the Week of August 1st, 2022