Cinemaniac Mark

The new Indian action film CRAKK: JEETEGA...TOH JIYEGAA is like a bonkers mix of ENTER THE DRAGON, THE RUNNING MAN, and GYMKATA. Nutty and over the top popcorn fun. From director Aditya Datt, with Vidyut Jammwal, Arjun Rampal, Nora   Fatehi and Amy Jackson. Full review here:

Unearthed Films brings a 15th Anniversary Edition of the dark horror film DEADGIRL (2008) to Blu-ray, with hidden subterranean chamber full of supplements, illuminating the dusky corners of this tale of two high school losers who, while exploring the basement of an abandoned mental hospital, find the titular not-quite-living-yet-not-exactly-deceased female chained to a slab, and decide to...well... Super grim and certainly not for everyone. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3uJizRp (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

88 Films brings to Blu-ray the Ronny Yu action drama "Eastern Western" THE POSTMAN FIGHTS BACK (1982) to Blu-ray in a "looks like it was shot yesterday" transfer, with fun and insightful extras including TWO commentaries featuring HK film expert Frank Djeng (one with Ronny, one without). If seeing a pre-KILLER Chow Yun-Fat takinng on bad guys with his fists and not bullets, with the aid of a wristband that shoots deady darts, and an icy melee on a frozen lake inspired by SLAP SHOT sounds intriguing, this is the flick for you! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/49rEqfg (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

VCI Classic Films brings to Blu-ray the Italian-Spanish western A BULLET FOR SANDOVAL, a revenge thriller starring George Hilton going up against maniacal Ernest Borgnine and his army of thugs, with a memorable final showdown in a bullfighting arena. Presented here in its full-length original Spanish cut with an optional English dub, and an excellent commentary by director Alex Cox (SID & NANCY, REPO MAN, STRAIGHT TO HELL). Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3T7vEgH (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

Radiance Films brings the Japanese spy/ninja/pop art hidden gem BLACK TIGHT KILLERS (1966) to Blu-ray in a gorgeous new transfer on 2/27. This one is ripe for rediscovery as a cult classic, with a lady ninja hit squad in modern Japan using all manner of oddball techniques (bubblegum and 45 singles) to vanquish their prey! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/49M3oFR (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

Serial killer Ted Bundy's vicious attack on a Florida sorority house unfolds methodically in THE BLACK MASS, available 2/27 on Blu-ray and DVD from Cleopatra Entertainment . Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/49jAZra (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

Visual Vengeance strikes DTV gold once again with Bret McCormick's nudie cutie Sci-Fi spoof REPLIGATOR (1998), the story of what happens in a top secret government science lab when a special ray is developed that turns male soldiers into saucy ladies looking for love, and when said love is achieved, they turn into Alligator People. Available in a deluxe Blu-ray with fun physical goodies, the Visual Vengeance Way! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3T4qy4N (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

Here's a slightly belated look at the new Arrow Video release of Arnold Schwarzenegger's CONAN THE BARBARIAN (1982) and CONAN THE DESTROYER (1984), available separately on Blu-ray and 4K HDR UHD, or together as THE CONAN CHRONICLES. A really nice set, with a sharp new transfer of each film, multiple edits of the first installment, extras ported over from the deluxe Universal DVDs, along with a furry codpiece-full of newly-created supplements. Currently half off on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/49EJug9 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full Review here:

I've only just gotten to the second, "Extras" disc of Grindhouse Releasing 's upcoming Blu-ray set of William Grefe's IMPULSE (1974), starring William Shatner as a Florida psychopath, and it's easily the release of the year so far. A fun thriller LOADED with supplements (including two bonus films) and easter eggs, this is a must-have companion to Arrow Video 's HE CAME FROM THE SWAMP set of Grefe films, and should be on any 60s-70s exploitation/Drive-In film fan's shelf. Review coming soon, but with hours and hours of content on this second disc...not TOO soon! Amazon has it up for pre-order here, with partial specs: https://amzn.to/3ONBdP8 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)

David Janssen stars in a Euro financial espionage thriller, THE SWISS CONSPIRACY (1976), with a cast of familiar faces, including John Saxon, Senta Berger, Anton Diffring, John Ireland, David Hess, Ray Milland and Elke Sommer, with the former TV FUGITIVE trying to unravel a blackmail plot targeting account holders at a Swiss bank. Bullets fly, cars race, and pulses pound in this little-seen final feature from director Jack Arnold, helmer of Universal Monsters classic like CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON and THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, as well as numerous episodes of THE BRADY BUNCH. Brought back from smeary public domain oblivion by the fine folks at Film Masters, with an attractive transfer and fun extras. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3SZzd8V (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

A quick pre-review look at upcoming February 27 - March12, 2024 releases (with Amazon links for full specs and purchasing):  IMPULSE (1974), William Grefe's Florida-shot psycho thriller starring William Shatner, in a deluxe 2-disc edition, on Blu-ray from the Grindhouse Releasing (Street Date: 3/12/24):  https://amzn.to/3UAMbel   BLACK TIGHT KILLERS (1966), a wild Japanese spy thriller with comic book/pop style, on Blu-ray from Radiance Films (Street Date: 2/27/24):  https://amzn.to/3HS8rcb   ALLONSANFAN (1974), an Italian period piece starring Marcello Mastroianni, on Blu-ray from Radiance Films (Street Date: 2/27/24):  https://amzn.to/496Cbhp   Reviews coming soon!  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full discussion and looks below:

Andy Lau stars in Benny Chan's Hong Kong action/melodrama/romance A MOMENT OF ROMANCE (1990), with Lau as a getaway driver protecting a witness to a heist his gang pulled, all of whom want his protectee dead, while romance blooms between the two. Featuring Stephen Chaiu regular Ng Man-Tat in a dramatic role. On Blu-ray from Radiance Films in a sharp transfer with insightful extras. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/483taV8 (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

  MVD Entertainment Group brings to DVD on 2/6/24 a documentary about artist David Greg Harth, whose sole mission over the last 20 years has been to have as many celebrities as possible sign his bible. Here we see what starts as an art project become an obsession, putting Harth's mental and physical well-being at risk in his single-minded pursuit. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/49e28ep (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

For those open to silent cinema, VCI Classic Films' new release of the restored Mary Pickford classic STELLA MARIS (1918) is a treat. Pickford stars in a dual role (which I'd never have realized if I didn't know going in) as an affluent bedridden woman and a downtrodden orphan in this melodrama that received accolades from no less than the President of the United States at the time.. When their paths cross, the illusion of Pickford as two people sharing the frame is flawless. Nice restoration collaboration between Paramount Pictures, The Library of Congress, UCLA Library Film & Television Archive and The Mary Pickford Foundation gives us a sharp transfer and interesting extras. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3SHUL9L (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

Barry Newman stars in FEAR IS THE KEY (1972), along with Suzy Kendall, John Vernon, Dolph Sweet and Ben Kingsley in his first screen role, in this Alastair MacLean thriller featuring what may be one of the great unsung car chases of 70s cinema. Available on Blu-ray from Arrow Video on 2/13/24. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3SrU7Mr (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

Invincible Entertainment brings the 2015 darrrrrk horror thriller THE CORPSE OF ANNA FRITZ to DVD on 2/6/24! Tremendously well-made, and tremendously disturbing, the film wheels you into the morality morgue when three friends decide to take celeb stalking to new lows, and get much more than they bargained for in their pursuit of cheap thrills. Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/48WqCJq (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here:

Full Moon Features presents Jess Franco's VOODOO PASSION (1977) on Blu-ray and DVD on 2/6/24, looking immaculate in all its nudily nutzoid glory, as a woman visits her foreign dignitary husband at his Haitian home, and falls victim to...VOODOO PASSION! Get your copy now from Amazon at: https://amzn.to/3SEEqTa (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.) Full review here: