Texas Chainsaw Massacre 40th Anniversary Gets a Black Maria Limited Edition!

Dark Sky Films has announced a special limited edition set dubbed The Black Maria for the upcoming 40th anniversary home video release of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The set boasts a great poster, a Leatherface apron, and the film in all it's 4K glory!

This release is a complete 4K restoration with some fantastic features!

Read on for more!

Dark Sky Films Brings

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 40th Anniversary

Black Maria Limited Edition

Exclusively Available Through Gorgon-Video.com Starting September 16th

Collector's Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo and Single DVD and Blu-ray Also Available on September 16th

 

It's been imitated and remade, but never equaled. Tobe Hooper's THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE rose from a notorious 1974 sleeper sensation to rank as one of the greatest horror films ever made. Now, to mark the film's 40^th anniversary, Dark Sky Films is presenting the digitally re-mastered masterpiece on Blu-ray for the first time in a stunning Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Collector's Edition box set.

 

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE appears in an all-new 4K digital transfer and with a newly created 7.1 surround sound mix supervised by director Hooper (Poltergeist). This release marks the only transfer of the film to go back to the original 16mm A/B rolls, the actual film that rolled through the cameras. The Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Edition of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE will be released at retail in October but will be available exclusively at www.gorgon-video.com for 30 days starting September 16, 2014. Fans of the film will recognize the unique packaging as a replica of the iconic 'Black Maria' cattle truck that comes to Sally Hardesty's rescue when she's being pursued by Leatherface, a fitting nod to the legions of TCSM enthusiasts who were instrumental in keeping the film at the forefront of the genre throughout for the past 40 years and a true collectible display piece.'

 This four-disc DVD/Blu-ray combo pack will include a wealth of extras, including:

A Leatherface apron

Theatrical mini-poster

Five audio options

Four feature commentaries with the filmmakers and cast,

Several making-of featurettes

Deleted scenes, outtakes, bloopers, trailers and much more

 

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE received a mixed critical reception upon its initial release - the Los Angeles Times called it "despicable" - but horror fans immediately recognized it has a breakthrough in unbearable suspense. The story, written by director Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel, is dreadfully simple: Five young people on a weekend getaway in remote Texas countryside fall prey to a chain saw-wielding butcher (dubbed Leatherface because of his mask made of human skin) and his demented cannibalistic family. Thanks to startling scenes such as a woman being impaled on a meat hook, horror cinema would never be the same. Violent, confrontational and shockingly realistic, the film terrified audiences and was the most buzzed-about release of its time (a buzz fueled by the marketing campaign that claimed it was based on a true story).

Thrust upon an America disillusioned by the Vietnam War and Watergate, the 1974 shocker faced a storm of controversy, censorship and outcry. But this masterpiece of horror has stood the test of time to become a landmark motion picture and cultural milestone, having opened the (sliding steel) door to the entire slasher genre of the 1980s and beyond.

In addition to the Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Edition of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE , the film will also be released as a standard DVD, Blu-ray and DVD/Blu-ray Combo on September 16 at retail outlets nationwide.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40^th ANNIVERSARY BLACK MARIA LIMITED EDITION BOX SET

Street Date: Exclusively at gorgon-video.com only September 16, 2014

Street Date: retail outlets nationwide October 14, 2014

SRP: $99.98

Rate R

4K Digital Transfer, 7/1 Surround audio

EXTRAS:

A Collector's Edition Bonus Disc:

* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth

* Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw

* A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen

* Off the Hook with Teri McMinn

* The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman

* New Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Grandpa's Tales: An Interview with John Dugan

* Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview With Editor J. Larry Carroll

* Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Blooper Reel

* Outtakes from "The Shocking Truth"

* Horror's Hallowed Grounds: TCSM

* Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents "Making Grandpa"

* Still Gallery

* 40th Anniversary Trailer

* Trailers

* TV Spots

* Radio Spots

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40 ^th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD & BD COMBO

Street Date: September 16, 2014

SRP: $49.98

Rated R

4k Digital Transfer, 7.1 Surround audio

EXTRAS:

Collector's Edition Bonus Disc:

* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth

* Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw

* A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen

* Off the Hook with Teri McMinn

* The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman

* New Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Grandpa's Tales: An Interview with John Dugan

* Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview With Editor J. Larry Carroll

* Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Blooper Reel

* Outtakes from "The Shocking Truth"

* Horror's Hallowed Grounds: TCSM

* Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents "Making Grandpa"

* Still Gallery

* 40th Anniversary Trailer

* Trailers

* TV Spots

* Radio Spots

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40 ^th ANNIVERSARY DVD OR BD

Street Date: September 16, 2014

SRP: $24.98 DVD / $29.98 BLU-RAY

Rated R

4k Digital Transfer, 7.1 Surround audio

EXTRAS:

4 Feature Commentaries:
 

* Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl

* Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns

* NEW Commentary with Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper

* NEW Commentary with Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou

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@AchorBayEnt and @Scream_Factory's Halloween Complete Set Extras Revealed! #MichaelisComingHome

We finally have the full details of the extras included in the EPIC upcoming Halloween Complete Collection which is coming in a 10 disc and deluxe 15 disc set on September 23.

I for one cannot wait for this. I've supremely excited and hope it's a monster success so we can get more releases like this.

Highlights include a high def transfer for the holy grail of Halloween lore, the Producer's Cut of Halloween 6!

Check out the full specs by clicking the RAWR!

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Blu-ray Review: @Criterion Collection's Scanners

One of the most eagerly anticipated blu-ray releases has arrived as David Cronenberg's sci-fi/horror classic Scanners has finally hit in glorious high def thanks to the folks at Criterion Collection. 

Scanners is one of those holy grail titles that fans have been chomping at the bit to see on blu-ray since the format launched. Until now, all that was available was sub par imports from overseas. Demand hit a fever pitch last year when Scream Factory released their double feature set of Scanners 2 and Scanners 3 and a lot of fans were expecting Scream Factory to drop the bombshell that they were going to release it. Instead, months later, thanks to one of Criterion's teaser images, word broke that the much loved label was releasing Scanners. 

And here we are, at long last, with a high def release that this classic film deserves.

Click the RAWR for the full review.

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Blu-Ray Review: In The Blood

It's another year, and another Taken rip off only this time its a newly married husband who goes missing after he falls from a zipline and his new wife who has to discover the truth about his disappearance.

Gina Carano plays the wife who for some reason has a father that turns her into an ultimate fighter so that she has the skills to crack skulls now that her husband was taken.

Look, Carano does have a very particular set of skills (see what I did there?). She is electric when she is fighting but those skills, at least under the direction here, do not include acting. In this movie, she is wooden, flat, and just generally not great. At least when she isn't beating the ever loving hell out of someone. Then she's fantastic.

As a whole the movie is interesting. It does have a sort of unique twist but it's a twist that would render the entire movie pointless simply by having a conversation. This is something that one of the characters actually says by the way.

Oh and Danny Trejo fans be warned. You get about 5 minutes of him, if that.

The blu-ray looks great but the movie didn't really give me reason to care at all for any special features. There are so many better films out there to watch, In The Blood just isn't worth the time or the money.

With a better director and a better script, I think Gina Carano can deliver a good performance. Unfortunately, this is not that movie, and it doesn't work out that well for her or for the viewer.

In The Blood is available now.

In The Blood

4 out of 10 Taken Rip-offs

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Blu-ray Review: Grand Piano

If you think watching someone play piano for 90+ minutes might be boring, I'll advise you to give Grand Piano a look.

Elijah Wood stars as Tom Selznick, a young piano prodigy returning to the stage years after a disastrous performance forced him out of the spotlight. If his much anticipated return isn't stressful enough, he discovers a note from a sniper (John Cusack) scrawled across the score threatening his life if he plays a single note incorrectly.

What follows is a tense and fun film that just skirts the edge of ridiculousness and never takes itself too seriously.

The strengths of the film lie with its lead Elijah Wood who is on screen nearly every minute of the film.  His performance is excellent, one of his best, and is believable from every minute. He's charming and as the film progresses you feel his nerves and his fears.

The bulk of John Cusack's role is menacing voice over but it's John Cusack so you either love him or you hate him. I happen to love him so...

The script from Damien Chazelle is clever and makes what seems like a ridiculous plot work pretty great. This is also in part thanks to the direction of Eugino Mira. It's a really well shot and well directed film and it moves at a breakneck pace with no lull whatsoever.

That said, it's not flawless. I really only had one scene that I did not like and it is when Tom's wife sings from the audience. I get why they did it I just think there should have been a more believable, less sort of ridiculous way to go around it.

The blu-ray looks pristine with some gorgeous colors and top notch sound and there are some pretty interesting special features that give you a nice glimpse into the production and the effects.

Overall, Grand Piano is an exciting and fun ride that makes for a nice entertaining watch. Enhanced by a great starring performance from Elijah Wood and a smart script, Grand Piano is worthy of a spot on your shelf.

Grand Piano is available on DVD and Blu-ray now.

Grand Piano

8/10 Piano Keys!

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Anchor Bay and @Scream_Factory Team Up for #Halloween Mega Set!

After a weekend of speculation, we can announce that it is true, Anchor Bay and Scream Factory have come together to release a gigantic franchise spanning mega box set of the Halloween franchise.

The set will feature every single Halloween film, theatrical, unrated, and in some cases TV versions of the films. Also included is the holy grail of this franchise, the Producers Cut of Halloween 6!

The set also includes all new bonus features, commentaries, documentaries, and more. I can barely contain  my excitement.

There will be two versions of this set available on September 23. A 10-disc and a 15-disc limited edition.

This is crazy awesome. I'm pretty much jumping for joy right now.

Click the RAWR for the full press release!

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Blu-ray Review - Odd Thomas

Odd Thomas now available on DVD and Blu-ray!

One of Dean Koontz' most interesting creations has finally been committed to film with Odd Thomas but is it a worthy adaptation of the much loved series of books?   Thanks to a pitch perfect cast, yes it is.

Click the RAWR for the full review.

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Blu-ray Review: Big Ass Spider!

A modern day B-movie creature feature that is completely ridiculous and yet totally awesome.   Big Ass Spider is now available to own on Blu-ray/DVD.

Click the RAWR for the full review!

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Bllu-ray Review: The Hobbit - Extended Edition

By now, it's pretty much a given that a Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movie will inevitably have an extended edition released eventually and so it is with The Hobbit.

Just in time for the upcoming release of The Desolation of Smaug in December, fans can gobble up this wonderful film and get all refreshed for the next chapter.  Or wait a few years for the giant box set of all the movies, assuming physical media is still around by then.

The extended edition adds 13 minutes to the film (putting it at 182 minutes or just over 3 hours), which may not seem like a lot, but there are some fun scenes added to make it all worth it.  The set is also packed with over 9 hours of bonus features, including more fan favorite appendices (parts 7 and 8), and commentary from the filmmakers.

This set is definitely for the fans as casual viewers might find themselves overwhelmed.  Personally, I loved it.  I loved the film and am super excited for the next one in a few weeks.

It's sad though to know that there will be inevitably another edition of these movie, and probably the others as well, that fans will almost certainly shell out more money for.  Until then though, as of this writing, you can name this extended edition of under $20 at amazon.  It's most certainly worth that much!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition is available now!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Extended Edition Blu-ray

10/10 Hobbit Breakfasts!

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Blu-ray Review: Twilight Time's The Other and MindWarp

BTW I use Grammarly for proofreading online because I'm supposed to be a professional blogger right?  RIGHT?

Twilight Time releases a horror classic and a horror sci-fi hybrid in time for Halloween with their limited edition (3,000 copies) blu-rays of The Other and MindWarp.

The folks over at Twilight Time have such an interesting roster of films and their latest two releases are no exception.  One being a slow burn classic horror film and the other being a sc-fi horror cult classic that doesn't spare the schlock.  

Click the RAWR for our thoughts on The Other and MindWarp!

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Blu-ray Review - The Conjuring

Just because our 31 Days of Scream'O'Ween feature is ending today doesn't mean the horror has to stop.  In fact, there is a great little horror movie that came out just this year that you can enjoy.

The Conjuring took the world by storm and exploded into theaters bringing in a huge amount of money and unless I am mistaken, out performing any expectations.

Click the RAWR and see just how it even exceeded mine!

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@Scream_Factory Is Going To Camp!

Our friends at Scream Factory are kicking Halloween off with a bang, or a slice, with this huge announcement.

They are releasing the horror classic, and much demanded, Sleepaway Camp on Blu-ray for the first time!  UNCUT.

Read below for their post on their official Facebook page.

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.


We'll post more info as it is released.

Happy Halloween everyone!

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - The Amityville Horror Trilogy

By Adam Ruhl

Happy Halloween Scream fans! Tonight is the night for dressing up, getting candy, drinking (for the adults), and watching scary movies with your loved ones. For many of you, it’s your favorite night of the year, as it is for us too and we’re going out with a bang. Thank you for following us on this strange and terrifying journey through a lot of great horror films (and, with all due love to Scream Factory, a couple of appalling bad ones). We’ve covered 30 Scream Factory films and now it’s time for the grand finale, our review of the Scream Factory’s The Amityville Horror Trilogy. This film has been a household name for almost 35 years; it has spawned numerous sequels and remakes and continues to scare the hell out of us. Did it really happen? Was it faked? Only the people involved know for sure, but one thing is certain, it captivated us and chilled us to the bone and continues to do so. Fire up the Jack-O-Lanterns and turn out the lights as we explore review 31, The Amityville Horror Trilogy.

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Halloween III

By David Massey

 

One of the more baffling choices made in 1980’s Hollywood was to release a movie about witch toymakers combining computers with pieces of Stonehenge as a weapon to kill children under the title ‘Halloween 3’. Sure, from one perspective, associating this one-off horror flick with a tried and true franchise must have seemed like easy money but the deception reviled audiences and, regardless of the films many qualities, it was a total flop. Now, 30 years later, the film has finally found its cult and Scream Factory has given the unique ‘Halloween 3 – Season of the Witch’ the stand-alone credit it deserves in a 30^th Anniversary “Silver Shamrock” Edition Blu-Ray.

 

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Halloween II

By Adam Ruhl

John Carpenter’s Halloween is a classic among the genre. It routinely tops number one lists and is generally credited with getting the ball rolling on the franchise monsters of the 80’s. Halloween 2 is lesser known, but should not be confused with any of the other sequels (certainly not Halloween 3 where Michael Myers doesn’t even appear). Unlike the later installments, Halloween 2 was written by Carpenter to form the second half of a larger story with his original.  There’s something charming and offbeat about this follow up that distinguishes it from its predecessor and over the years it’s become a guilty pleasure favorite of mine. I am tickled orange to be reviewing Scream Factory’s Halloween II Blu-ray Collector’s Edition. Let’s dive right in.

 

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Scanners 2 & 3 Double Feature

By David Massey

Telekinesis is the subject of today’s double-feature Blu-ray release from Scream Factory. ‘Scanners 2: The New Order’ & ‘Scanners 3: The Takeover’ are more stand-alone interpretations of the themes and scenarios introduced by Cronenberg’s 1981 classic than actual sequels. By all rights, it’s no surprise that few have seen these; they are oozing with an early-1990’s, straight-to-video feel but, as a couple, there is some genuine weight here and both films definitely have their merits.

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Dead Souls

By Garon Cockrell

Scream Factory isn’t just about the classics.  They’ve also brought us some more contemporary titles.    Well two so far.  The first of which is a film that first aired on Chiller called Dead Souls.    Don’t let that scare you off (like it almost did me) though.

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Lifeforce

By Garon Cockrell

Space….Vampires.  Those two words should be enough to sell you on this movie but if they aren’t here are two more:  Tobe Hooper.  He of Funhouse (another Scream Factory title), Poltergeist, Invaders from Mars, and a little movie called The Texas Chainsaw Massacre fame.

This is another of those horror titles I missed; in fact, I’d never heard of this one, which made me all the more thrilled for it to be a Collector’s Edition.  Even better?  A longer, director approved cut.

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

By Adam Ruhl

 

There’s no chance you haven’t already seen The Howling. If you enjoy horror films enough to read a month’s worth of reviews and somehow missed this movie stop right now, add it to your bucket list, and get to it. While that one reader watches the film (hopefully an older version so they have a good basis of comparison), we’ll proceed to talk about Joe Dante’s classic 1981 horror film that Scream Factory has brought screaming ‘howling’ back to life with their new Collector’s Edition Blu-ray release.

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31 Days of Scream-O-Ween! - Cockneys vs. Zombies

By Adam Ruhl

 

Today’s film is the newest of all the Scream Factory offerings we’re reviewing and it’s also the most British, East London British to be precise. Cockneys vs. Zombies is the greatest English Horror-Comedy zombie movie since Shaun of the Dead and manages to completely distinguish itself from similar films. I first saw it a year ago at Fantastic Fest 2012 where it was a festival darling and now Scream Factory has given it the royal treatment and brought it to America.

 

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