31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - X-ray / Schizoid Double Feature

By Adam Ruhl

Scream Factory has done a brilliant job of releasing overlooked horror films on Blu-ray discs loaded with features. Many of these films are well known classics and cult favorites sporting special collector’s editions with original art on the cover. Scream Factory has also put out a wholly different but equally compelling type of release; one that again takes me back to the old independent video store horror shelf. This Blu-ray/DVD combo is a Scream Factory Double Feature with the films X-Ray and Schizoid, two films that to be honest I had never heard of and frankly had difficulty finding solid information about. Please forgive my ignorance if you are a hardcore fan of these titles as I will be assessing them as a first time viewer with a new find.  

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Film Review - @PolariFest AGLIFF "Animals"

We liked this one so much we wrote a couple of reviews for it, take a look!

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Action Figure Review: DC Collectibles New 52 The Joker

You can't spell Slaughter without laughter, and who knows that better than the Joker!

Straight out of Scott Snyder's New 52 storyline "Death of the Family," the Joker is back and deadlier than ever.

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#CBBTV: Season 1 DVD Releasing Jan 21st

NOTE: That afro is NOT Photoshopped.

If you're a fan of the immensely popular podcast, or if you've never heard of Comedy BANG! BANG! before, LOOK OUT!  Because the first hit season is hitting shelves and laserdisc players on JANUARY 21, 2014!!

I, Alan Trehern, am one of the lucky fictional people to be followed by Comedy BANG! BANG! on Twitter (@comedyBANGBANG), and I am a die-hard fan of the podcast and the television program.  CBB TV is unpredictable, quirky, improvised and F*CKING ridiculous, just like the flagship Earwolf.com podcast.  In their inaugural season on IFC, host Scott Auckerman (Fist Puncherman...) and bandleader Reggie Watts welcome guests like Amy Poehler, Jon Hamm, Tenacious D, Aziz Ansari, the vivacious Elizabeth Banks (call me.) and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber!

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@Scream_Factory Announces Slumber Party Massacre!

It's probably one of their most requested title (after Fright Night 2 maybe) and today Scream Factory made it official with a surprise announcement via their Facebook page.  They're bringing The Slumber Party Massacre to Blu-ray next year.

"We're happy to report that we've gone back into our "vaults" and will be bringing the original 1982 SLUMBER PARTY MASSACRE film to Blu-ray for the first time in early 2014! This will be a brand new HD transfer taken from the original camera negative. We had many requests for this and we're pleased to be able to bring this into the Scream family. 

As many of you know, we released this film on DVD back in 2010 along with Parts 2 & 3 as a part of a "Roger Corman's Cult Classics" collection. For several factors (mostly financial), we can only bring you the original at this time on Blu but if sales are solid, we will certainly consider 2 & 3 for the future. "

There you have it folks.  You can get the original next year but if you want the sequels you better pony up and buy it!

Interesting note:  This movie was intended as a parody and was not only directed by a woman, Amy Holden Jones (Maid To Order, Mystic Pizza), but also written by feminist Rita Mae Brown!

I'm still waiting for a Rawhead Rex announcement.

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Prison

By Garon Cockrell

Another film in the Scream Factory line up that I hadn’t heard of.  This one’s from A Nightmare on Elm Street part 4 director Renny Harlin.   Prison is a gory supernatural horror flick about a vengeful prisoner seeking his post death revenge.

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Concert Review: Placebo Kills at NYC’s Terminal 5

Concert Review: Placebo Kills at NYC’s Terminal 5

Kyle Dowling

I’m not going to lie to you…on the night of October 15, 2013, I had absolutely no interest in seeing Placebo play at Terminal 5. I ventured over to the way west side of Manhattan to see them for one reason—it was my girlfriend’s birthday and the band happens to be her favorite. Time and time again, she’s tried to push their music onto me to no avail. It appears I’ve prided myself on remaining stubborn in my opinions; however, seeing as they have not played in New York City in six years (possibly the States), I knew I was going. My boyfriend-ly duties trumped those aforementioned feelings; I succumbed to her wishes…

Yes, I’m reviewing this concert.

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Glee Is Ending

Ryan Murphy has confirmed that Glee will end after its upcoming sixth season.  He also knows how it will end despite having to alter his original plans after the untimely death of Cory Monteith.

Murphy said that the last season was going to be a Rachel/Finn storyline and that, "I always knew how it would end. I knew what the last shot was -- he was in it. I knew what the last line was; she said it to him. So when a tragedy like that happens you sort of have to pause and figure out what you want to do."

He also says the final episode will "honor" Cory Monteith.

What do you guys think?  Is it time for Glee to sing its way off into that great night?

SOURCE

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Movie Trailer: The Grand Budapest Hotel

The other day we brought you the wonderful poster for Wes Anderson's latest, The Grand Budapest Hotel and today we have the trailer!

Chime in below with your thoughts! Personally, I think it looks excellent!

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Dark Angel (AKA I Come in Peace)

By David Massey

 

 

I know it’s not my job to convince you that any of the genre films given the ‘Criterion’ treatment by Scream Factory’s Blu-ray line are cinema genius or, even, classic camp but it is a very thin line between ‘Dark Angel’ and films like ‘The Terminator’ or ‘RoboCop’. That ‘line’, more often than not, comes largely down to budget. ‘Dark Angel’ (or ‘I Come in Peace’ as it will always be to me) is no more far-fetched in story than the films it aspires to be and manages to make up for its small budget with enough pyrotechnic absurdity to make Michael Bay blush and one-liners that could give Arnie a run for his money.

 

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@PolariFest Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival – “Five Dances” Opening Night Film

By Adam Ruhl

 

 

2013 is the 26^th annual Polari Film Festival, not just Austin’s oldest Gay and Lesbian Film Fest, but apparently the longest running Film Festival in Austin altogether. All of the festival-goers were gathered at the Stateside Theater in downtown Austin for the opening ceremony and opening film. Artistic Director Curran Nault gave a welcoming speech and spoke of the festival audience award which has been renamed the Scott Dinger Audience Award, in honor of the festivals founder. Then it was time to dig into the opening film.

 

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Blu-ray Review: Chucky: The Complete Collection

Sit down, get comfy, and get ready for Chucky.  All six films, including the all-new Curse of Chucky, together at last in one complete set.

Is it worth your money?  It damn well is.

Click the RAWR and I'll tell you more!

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Prince of Darkness

By Adam Ruhl

Almost all of John Carpenter’s films after Halloween have met with tepid critical reaction on release and often only so-so box office. The real judge of a John Carpenter movie is time. In the decades since their release, films like Big Trouble in Little China and They Live have become popular genre films embraced by a generation. The Thing, much like Blade Runner, has become a smash hit years after it was first in theaters (fun fact: they opened the same day). Other films, like The Fog and Prince of Darkness continue to wait for a cult following to really embrace them. Perhaps that will happen now with this wonderful new Scream Factory Collector’s Edition of Prince of Darkness, let’s take a look.

 

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Concert Review: Pink - The Truth About Love Tour

This past Saturday, P!nk brought The Truth About Love tour to Staples Center here in Los Angeles. I was not prepared. I truly was not. I'm not sure what I expected to be honest. I would consider myself a fan but after this show, I'd say I am a FAN.

Click the RAWR and find out just how she blew my mind.

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Blu-Ray Review: Pacific Rim

Guillermo del Toro's "Pacific Rim" is a special effects filled popcorn movie that will satisfy  your Sci-Fi jones for one viewing and one viewing only.  

The story is basic to say the least and there are few surprises so viewers probably won't come back for repeat viewings.  

If you want to save space on your Blu-Ray shelf and have not yet seen "Pacific Rim" then I recommend renting it and saving your money for a more deserving purchase.


Drumroll please...  6 out of 10 drumsticks!!!

Pacific Rim

ARRIVES ONTO BLU-RAY 3D COMBO PACK,

BLU-RAYÔ COMBO PACK, 2-DISC DVD SPECIAL EDITION and DIGITAL HD ON OCTOBER 15 FROM

WARNER BROS. HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Blu-ray Combo Packs and 2-disc DVD Special Edition include

hours of new bonus features!

All disc versions feature UltraViolet

Monsters and robots go head to head when the action-packed spectacle “Pacific Rim” from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures arrives onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on October 15 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. Directed by Oscar® nominee (Best Writing, Original Screenplay, “Pan’s Labyrinth,” 2006) Guillermo del Toro, “Pacific Rim” follows a team of unlikely fighters who unite for a final attempt to save humanity from terrifying monsters that emerged from the sea.

From Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, “Pacific Rim” is directed by Guillermo del Toro (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) from a screenplay by Travis Beacham and del Toro.  The film stars Charlie Hunnam (TV’s “Sons of Anarchy), Idris Elba (“Thor”), Rinko Kikuchi (“Babel”) and Charlie Day (“Horrible Bosses”), along with Rob Kazinsky, Max Martini, Clifton Collins Jr., Burn Gorman and Rob Perlman

SYNOPSIS

In “Pacific Rim,” legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, have started rising from the sea, beginning a war that takes millions of lives and consumes humanity’s resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenseless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes – a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) – who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind’s last hope against the mounting apocalypse.

BLU-RAY AND DVD ELEMENTS

“Pacific Rim” Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack and Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:

·        Audio Commentary by Guillermo del Toro

·        The Directors Notebook

·        Drift Space

·        The Digital Artistry of Pacific Rim

·        The Shatterdome

·        Focus Points

·        Deleted Scenes

·        Blooper Reel

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Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short

I'm not even that much of a Supes fan and I dug this. Happy 75th Superman!

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Opinion: Comic Book Men - Secret Stash Super Hero Sandwich not so super?

Just started watching Comic Book Men, Season 1. This isn't a full review; it's just a reaction to their Super Hoagie episode (ep 16).

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Day of the Dead

By David Massey

 

Though they’ve lost their fear factor for me, zombie films are my favorite junk food; I just can’t get enough of them and ‘Day of the Dead’ is the peanut-butter-filled Twinkie of the lot. Romero’s original Living Dead trilogy set the standard for American zombie movies and this is the walking dead equivalent to ‘Return of the Jedi’. Scream Factory has presented the film in its most vivid form to date.

 

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Movie Poster: The Grand Budapest Hotel

Fox Searchlight has kicked into high gear in marketing Wes Anderson's next film by releasing this fantastic poster. That cast is insane.

The trailer is expected on Thursday.

The Grand Budapest Hotel releases in 2014.

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - The Funhouse

By Adam Ruhl

The Funhouse, that accidental video nasty, a 1981 horror film that only recently seems to be getting the respect it so rightly deserves. While it begins with tongue in cheek parodies of both Halloween and Psycho, within its frames it contains so much more. It contains the other unforgettable performance of Amadeus’ wife Elizabeth Berridge and a tale from the Director who taught us the value of good, prime meat. So without further ado, come with me and experience the long lost wonders in Scream Factory’s Collector’s Edition of Tobe Hooper’s The Funhouse.

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SHOW #55 - #GTAV So We Can Get 800 Million Listeners

Join Garon, Jason, Johnny, and Phil as we discuss Mama's family, Machete, Magic: The Gathering, Chucky, some news, our PCPs and our Top Five Series Finales .  WARNING  There may be some spoilers! 

www.popculturebeast.com

show@popculturebeast.com

#pcbshow

Check out this episode!

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - The Nest

By Adam Ruhl

At face value The Nest might not seem like much; a more or less direct-to-video 1988 film that I had never heard of before now. The Nest falls into that not-so-respected horror sub-genre of “Swarms of something” attacks small isolated town. Since Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’ it’s been tried with every kind of animal from spiders to snakes to worms. The Nest presents us with swarms of cockroaches, as made clear by the cover art which features a six-foot-tall roach attacking a woman in her underwear. The question I found myself asking up front was why would Scream Factory want to reintroduce such a title to the world in High-Def? What I found when I sat down and watched the movie was that they had found a lovely little would-be, could-be cult horror film gem in The Nest.

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