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Winter chills just mean that it’s November, and Arrow Video are set to heat things up with a George Romero box set, a blaxploitation chiller, classic horror in steelbook form, a modern-day Russian black comedy, and a cult thriller directed by Steve Buscemi! With plenty of lavish packaging and limited edition items, Christmas has come early for film collectors! Legendary horror cinema innovator, George A Romero, is responsible for arguably the most influential zombie films of all time. But he doesn’t just make undead epics, and the three films collected here in the box set George Romero Between Night and Dawn – There’s Always Vanilla, Season of the Witch and The Crazies – showcase the versatility and dynamism of this American auteur. As well as the films there are Romero interviews and documentaries and much more.
Next is the stunning debut of of the blaxploitation favorite JD’s Revenge, a story about a man possessed by the spirit of a murderous gangster. Featuring Academy Award-winner Louis Gossett Jr (An Officer and a Gentleman), this is alternately tough and terrifying – a Blaxploitation gem waiting to be rediscovered.
Stephen King was once famously quoted as saying, “I have seen the future of horror…his name is Clive Barker.” That future was realized in 1987 with the release of Barker’s directorial debut Hellraiser. Introducing the world to the iconic Pinhead and his sadistic band of Cenobites, Hellraiser became an instant genre classic upon release and remains one of the most frighteningly original visions in horror. Now fans can own it in the form of an incredibly awesome steelbook with tons of extras.
The last of the Arrow Video titles for November is Animal Factory. Directed by Steve Buscemi, the film stars Willem Dafoe and Edward Furlong as they make their way through life inside a maximum security prison. This was Buscemi’s second stint in the director’s chair and sees him marshalling a formidable ensemble cast, for a powerful and sincere account of the men caught up in the penal system.
Finally, there is one release from Arrow Academy US – Zoology, an extraordinary film about a zoo worker who grows a tail, that proves that challenging, thought-provoking art house cinema is alive and well in the 21st century. In turns, disturbing, uplifting, and blackly comic, this is a challenging and irresistible contemporary fable, that deftly mixes the deadpan humour of Aki Kaurismäki with a poignant examination of social issues including loneliness and aging.
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George Romero Between Night and Dawn Limited Edition [Dual Format] (11/14)
George Romero’s name may be synonymous with the living dead subgenre, but his filmography is far richer and more varied than his reputation as “the zombie guy” would suggest. Following the breakout success of his debut feature Night of the Living Dead, the director would embark upon a series of projects which demonstrate a master filmmaker with more than mere gut-munching on his mind.
In There’s Always Vanilla, young drifter Chris and beautiful model Lynn embark upon a tumultuous relationship which seems doomed from the outset. Season of the Witch (released theatrically as Hungry Wives) follows the exploits of Joan Mitchell – a housewife who seeks to escape the confines of her humdrum suburban existence through a flirtation with witchcraft. Lastly, The Crazies sees Romero returning to firmer horror territory as a small rural town finds itself in the grip of an infection which send its hosts into a violent, homicidal frenzy.
Taken together, these three films, made in the period between Romero’s celebrated living dead outings Night of the Living Dead and Dawn of the Dead, serve to shine a light on the broader thematic concerns and auteurist leanings of a skilled craftsman too often pigeonholed within the genre.
LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
– High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard DVD presentations
– Original Mono Audio (Uncompressed PCM on the Blu-rays) – English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing – Reversible sleeve for each film featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx – Limited edition 60-page booklet featuring new writing on the films by Kat Ellinger, Kier-La Janisse and Heather Drain THERE’S ALWAYS VANILLA
– Brand new 2K restoration from original film elements
– Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford – Affair of the Heart: The Making of There’s Always Vanilla – brand new documentary featuring interviews with producers John Russo and Russell Streiner, stars Judith Streiner and Richard – Ricci, and sound recordist Gary Streiner – Digging Up the Dead – The Lost Films of George A. Romero – archive interview with Romero discussing his early films There’s Always Vanilla and Season of the Witch – Location Gallery with audio commentary by Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz – Memorabilia Gallery – Trailer – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx SEASON OF THE WITCH
– Brand new 4K restoration of the original theatrical version from the camera negative [90 mins]
– Alternate extended version [104 mins] – Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford – When Romero Met Del Toro – filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro in conversation with George Romero – The Secret Life of Jack’s Wife – archive interview with actress Jan White – Alternate Opening Titles – Location Gallery with audio commentary by Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz Memorabilia Gallery – Trailer – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx THE CRAZIES
– Brand new 4K restoration from the original camera negative
– Brand new audio commentary by Travis Crawford – Romero Was Here: Locating The Crazies – Romero historian Lawrence DeVincentz takes us on a guided tour of Evans City, PA and the locations used in The Crazies – Crazy for Lynn Lowry – cult star Lynn Lowry discusses her early career including her role in The Crazies – Q&A with Lynn Lowry filmed at the 2016 Abertoir Film Festival – Audio interview with producer Lee Hessel – Behind-the-scenes footage with optional commentary by Lawrence DeVincentz – Alternate Opening Titles – Image Galleries – Trailers & TV Spots – Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly-commissioned artwork by Gilles Vranckx |