Come cani arrabbiati – Camera Obscura Blu-ray (First Look)

Come cani arrabbiati (Mario Imperoli, 1976)

Three vicious, robbing, raping, scumbags lead by Rico (Cesare Barro) and his twisted girlfriend Germana (Annarita Grapputo) stick two fingers up at the law as they evade capture at every turn. Determined cop Tony (Jean Pierre Sabagh) tries as he might to find the masked maniacs even resorting to having his girlfriend and fellow police officer Silvia (Paola Senatore) pose undercover as a lady of the night. The trap pays off, almost. She’s stripped naked and almost knifed before the approaching law alert the troublesome trio who make good their escape…

Mario Imperoli directed a handful of films but none of them match this one for sheer outrageousness of content. Kidnapping, misogynistic humiliation, homophobic beatings, point blank head shots and a good old tyre screeching Alfa Romeo car chase keep this juggernaut of euro trash barrelling down the highway of political incorrectness.

Grapputo pulls out all the stops and pretty much steals the show with her penchant for brutality equal if not higher than her male compatriots, plus the fact that she frequently strolls around buck naked helps one keep focused on the screen when the action takes a rest.

A sadly under-appreciated sleazy gem that deserves to be sat up there with Euro-cult sleaze royalty such as Night Train Murders and Terror Express, it may even stick a shotgun in their face and tell them to take a seat elsewhere… (Italian Film Review)

The above review was written a few years back when the only copy of this film available was from a beaten up Greek VHS that had no English track and a far from ideal aspect ratio. Fast forward to 2014 and Camera Obscura are set to unleash a pristine, high definition transfer that is, simply put, a revelation.

 (Click images for FULL SIZE versions)

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Perfectly framed you can now see all of the original Techniscope image in perfect clarity, Camera Obscura have really done this one justice revealing detail you could never have imagined via the previously available VHS version.

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Audio is Italian language only (dub tracks were never made for this film in any other language other than the native Italian) so subtitles are provided for non-Italian speakers in either English or German.

Extras: Featurettes with Romano Albani and Fabio Claudio Bernabei and Melelli (Blu-ray exclusive) Audio Commentary with Marcus Stiglegger and Christian Kessler (German language with English subs), image gallery, trailers, booklet (German / English) by Kai Naumann

Pre-order at: DIABOLIK DVD

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Fantastiq news! Derby to host new fantasy film festival

Facebook Page at THIS LINK please head on over and ‘Like’

Fantastiq news! Derby to host new fantasy film festival

Summer 2013 slot confirmed at one of the UK’s leading indie cinemas

QUAD and Reel Solutions are proud to announce FANTASTIQ, a new three-day film and TV festival focusing on fantasy, sci-fi and horror. Fans of the genre will be thrilled and chilled to learn that this exciting new venture is born of a dynamic partnership between QUAD, one of the best independent cinemas in the country, and Reel Solutions, the respected Yorkshire-based film bureau known for its work on an array of festivals across the UK.

The first edition of FANTASTIQ will take place on the weekend of August 9-11 2013 at Derby QUAD, the vibrant three-screen complex in the centre of Derby that enjoys a reputation for intelligent film programming. FANTASTIQ will form part of an acclaimed annual programme that already includes iDFest, Whooverville, and Edge-Lit making Derby one of the strongest hubs for genre film programming in the country.

As its name suggests FANTASTIQ will be heavily rooted in “films fantastique”. Fantasy film fans can look forward to the best of the gory, glory days of Universal, AIP, Hammer and Amicus as well as European shockers, forgotten gems from the vaults and an array of cult figures on the guest list.

Plans for 2013 include a 50th anniversary celebration of Doctor Who and centenary screenings dedicated to the late, great master of fantastic cinema Peter Cushing (1913-1994).

Programming will be led by Reel Solutions’ Tony Earnshaw and QUAD’s Adam J Marsh

Adam J Marsh, Cinema Programmer at QUAD says: “It is great to be able to bring Fantastiq to Derby. Fantasy, science-fiction and horror play a strong part in the British film industry, in its past, present and future, so it is an honour to be able to represent genre cinema with this wonderful three-day festival.”

Tony Earnshaw, Programming & Festivals Director at Reel Solutions says: “We are delighted to be working with QUAD. We wanted to do something different to the standard genre film festival and we were thrilled that our partners at QUAD shared our enthusiasm and vision. We look forward to making Fantastiq a unique and must-attend annual fixture on the festival calendar.”

Tony Earnshaw has a reputation as one of the UK’s leading genre film programmers having organised the popular Fantastic Films Weekend in Bradford for 10 years. He was previously Head of Film Programming at the National Media Museum in Bradford and artistic director of Bradford International Film Festival for 12 years. He was part of the project team that helped deliver Bradford’s designation as the world’s first UNESCO City of Film and has programmed for the National Film Theatre in London. He is also a journalist, broadcaster and award-winning author specialising in the cinema.

Adam J Marsh has more than10 years’ experience in independent cinema culminating in his current position as QUAD’s cinema programmer and Director of iDFest. He has overseen QUAD’s growth in commerce and reputation over the past three years. He is also a screenwriter – whose debut feature film Devil’s Tower is currently in post production – and a freelance lecturer on Sheffield Hallam’s Screenwriting BA course”

NIGHT OF THE BLOODY APES hits DVD UNCUT from Nucleus!

One of the original banned video nasties of the 1980s, now issued UNCUT for the first time!

The mother of all Mexploitation finally arrives in the UK uncut for the very first time!

Featured on the Director of Public Prosecution’s original 39-title ‘video nasties’ list, at last you can see what all the fuss is about in this gore-geous new 16:9 transfer.

René Cardona Sr – patriarch of Mexico’s number one genre film-making dynasty – delivers this wonderfully silly tale of a dying young man given the heart of a gorilla to keep him alive. Unfortunately the man transforms into a murderous ape-like monster and goes on a girly hunt. Not one to be put-off, the surgeon (his father) tries again – this time with the heart of a female wrestler. This medical-horror-sci-fi masterpiece was written by René and his son René (who, incidentally, had a son called René), neither of whom had even a cursory knowledge of either medicine or science. This makes it w-a-a-y-yy more enjoyable….

No surprise then that this was filmed in just three weeks (in May 1968), largely in Mexico City’s Chapultepec Park. While already chock full of gratuitous nudity and femmes-in-peril, US film-maker Jerald Intrator (“Orgy at Lil’s Place”, “Satan in High Heels”) decided to improve on things by adding close-up, super-gory footage of open-heart surgery. He even filmed some new material to spice up the monster’s attacks with sanguinary make-up effects and even more nudity. He did the same thing with Emilio Vieyra’s “The Curious Case of Dr. Humpp “ around the same time. Ah, those were the days…

See!

  • –  a nice young man “transmutated” into an ugly beast
  • –  same beast wearing a horrifying mask made of… chocolate Angel Delight
  • –  an eye popped out of a head in stomach-churning detail 

     

    DVD features…

    Video Nasties Introduction
    Two TV Spots
    Theatrical Trailer
    Image Gallery
    Hidden “Easter Egg”
    Optional English/Spanish Audio & Subtitles for Both

    Certificate 18

    Street date 8th October 2012

    For more info visit…

    http://www.nucleusfilms.com

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nucleus-Films/157065734315301

Hammer’s THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN – Blu-ray in October

From the Hammer Films website HERE

Hammer, Icon Film Distribution and Lionsgate are proud to present Terence Fisher’s Gothic classic The Curse of Frankenstein fully restored in High Definition and for the first time in its original Academy ratio of 1.37:1.

Available 15th October in the UK & Ireland on 3-disc Double Play, the pack includes 1 x Blu-ray and 2 x DVD packed full of brand new content. Featuring new documentaries and bonus extras, and including the infamous “eyeball” scene, which was originally banned but has now been fully restored.

The Curse of Frankenstein

Double Play: 1 x BD & 2 x DVD
Cert: 15 (TBC)
Released: 15th October 2012
Region B/2

Single Blu-ray 50 disc

HD Main Feature – Never before released “Academy” ratio 1.37:1 – 83 mins – DTS MA 2.0

HD The Curse of Frankenstein (1.66:1 version) – alternate aspect ratio – 83mins – DTS MA 2.0

New audio commentary with Marcus Hearn & Jonathan Rigby
Frankenstein Reborn: The Making of a Hammer Classic (new & exclusive)
Life With Sir (new & exclusive Peter Cushing documentary)
Four Sided Triangle (bonus feature film) 80 mins
Tales of Frankenstein (bonus TV pilot) 25 mins
The Tale of Tales of Frankenstein (new & exclusive Ted Newsom documentary)
World Of Hammer: The Curse of Frankenstein 25 mins
Stills show
English HOH subtitles for Main Feature

Double DVD

DISC #1:
Main Feature – Never before released “Academy” ratio 1.37:1 – 83 mins – DD 2.0 – English HOH subtitles
The Curse of Frankenstein (1.66:1 version) – alternate aspect ratio – 83mins – DD 2.0
New audio commentary with Marcus Hearn & Jonathan Rigby

DISC #2:
Frankenstein Reborn: The Making of a Hammer Classic (new & exclusive)
Life With Sir (new & exclusive Peter Cushing documentary)
Four Sided Triangle (bonus feature film) 80 mins
Tales of Frankenstein (bonus TV pilot) 25 mins
The Tale of Tales of Frankenstein (new & exclusive Ted Newsom documentary)
World Of Hammer: The Curse of Frankenstein 25 mins
Stills show
PDF Original shooting script
PDF all-new booklet “The Creator’s Spark: Hammer’s Frankenstein Begins” with text by Hammer archivist Robert J. E. Simpson

Pre-order the Blu-ray at Amazon.co.uk HERE

MUCHAS GRACIAS SEÑOR LOBO – Paul Naschy book from Creepy Images

Pre-orders are now being taken for what looks like an amazing book from Creepy Images. Check out the specs below…

MUCHAS GRACIAS SEÑOR LOBO deals with the advertising material from the movie of one of the true icons of (European) horror movies: Paul Naschy and contains the largest collection of posters, lobby cards and other promotional items from his movies ever published.
MUCHAS GRACIAS SEÑOR LOBO focuses on Paul Naschy‘s horror movies of the late 1960s until the 1980s. 30 movies of this period will be featured in form of seperated chapters in the main part of the book while advertising material from his non-horror-movies and his newer films will be compiled in an additional chapter.
Besides high quality reproduction of movie posters, lobby cards and other memorabilia items, the book contains details insight into the distribution history of the movies and we are sure that some facts will even surprise the most dedicated fans of the Spanish Lon Chaney.
Important facts:

  • Limited hardcover edition
  • approx. 370 pagescompletely in color,measuring 21 x 29,7 cm
    (approx. 8.3 x 11.7 inches)
  • more than 1.200 pictures, including more than 160 movie posters, almost 750 lobby cards, over 100 press stills, a large part of which have never been published yet, more than 100 reproductions of admats, rare sales material that was only handed out to distribution companies and much more from more than 20 different countries.
  • Introduction by Paul Naschy‘s son 
    Sergio Molina
  • Complete Text in German and English
  • Besides the countless images the book also contains detailed information about distribution history of the movies
  • It took more than 18 years to put together the collection that serves as a basis for this book

Pre-order now!

The official streetprice will be 39,50 Euro, but until September 25th 2012 you can pre-order the book for only 34,50 Euros.

Everybody who pre-orders the book will get a small, but nice gift that is only available during the pre-order period.

Pre-order this book via the Creepy Images site at THIS LINK

Bond Blu-ray Box Extras Revealed

The specs for the complete James Bond Collection have been released and are up on Blu-ray.com .

Although it certainly looks like an impressive set at first glance, there’s a couple of glaring niggles – there are no exclusive new features on the film-specific discs (although there is a 23rd disc with a couple of new documentaries and the SKYFALL videoblogs) and Casino Royale is the standard single disc release from 2007 rather than the deluxe 2-disc set from 2008. I’d also hoped that the rather lacklustre selection of QUANTUM OF SOLACE extras was due for beefing up too but alas, that was not to be either.

Gripes aside, the set is on sale for around £90 on Amazon and HMV, so it’s a very reasonable way to give 22 films an HD upgrade. UK release date is set for 24th September.

DISC TWENTY THREE – Bonus Material

  • NEW – The World of Bond – the 007 films have a look, style and attitude that is signature Bond. From the cars, to the women, to the villains and even the music, Bond films stand apart. The World of Bond takes the viewer through the best of five decades worth of classic James Bond in one thrilling montage. The World of Bond showcases the fascinating and entertaining interplay among unforgettable moments of danger, seduction, adventure and a dash of that distinguished humor that fans have cherished from the beginning up until now. To add to the experience, The World of Bond featurette will also offer a Pop-Up Trivia option to challenge even the sharpest of fans with little known facts and interesting trivia from the Bond Universe.
  • NEW – Being Bond – there’s only one James Bond – but he’s proven too much for only one actor to play the role. In the franchise’s 50-year run, six distinguished actors have taken on the part and secured a spot in cinematic history. Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig each reflect on the impact and importance of taking on such a famous role. With this piece, gain insight into what each actor brought to the character and discover how they shaped the world’s most timeless secret agent.
  • SKYFALL Videoblogs – behind-the-scenes look at the making of SKYFALL from the cast and crew

DISC ONE – Dr. No (Over 3 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Terence Young and cast and crew
  • 6 Featurettes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC TWO – From Russia With Love (Over 3 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Terence Young and cast and crew
  • 2 Featurettes
  • Animated Storyboard Sequence
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC THREE – Goldfinger (Over 5 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton
  • Commentary with the cast and crew
  • 3 Featurettes
  • Original Screen Tests with Theodore Bikel and Tito Vandis
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Original Publicity Featurette
  • Original Radio Interviews With Sean Connery
  • Photo Galleries

DISC FOUR – Thunderball (Over 6 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Terence Young
  • Commentary with Editor Peter Hunt and Screenwriter John Hopkins
  • 4 Featurettes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC FIVE – You Only Live Twice (Over 4 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
  • 4 Featurettes
  • Animated Storyboard Sequence
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC SIX – On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Over 4 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Peter Hunt and cast and crew
  • 4 Featurettes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC SEVEN – Diamonds Are Forever (Over 4 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton and cast and crew
  • 3 Featurettes
  • Deleted Scenes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots

DISC EIGHT – Live and Let Die (Over 7 hours of content)

  • Commentaries with Director Guy Hamilton, Roger Moore and Tom Mankiewicz
  • 3 Featurettes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC NINE – The Man with the Golden Gun (Over 5 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Guy Hamilton and the cast and crew
  • Commentary with Roger Moore
  • 2 Featurettes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC TEN – The Spy Who Loved Me (Over 5 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
  • Commentary with Roger Moore
  • 3 Featurettes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots

DISC ELEVEN – Moonraker (Over 5 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Lewis Gilbert and cast and crew
  • Commentary with Roger Moore
  • 4 Featurettes
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Photo Gallery

DISC TWELVE – For Your Eyes Only (Over 7 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director John Glen and the cast and crew
  • Commentary with Roger Moore
  • Commentary with Producer Michael G. Wilson and crew
  • 4 Featurettes
  • Animated Storyboard Sequences for Snowmobile Chase & Underwater
  • Music Video performed by Sheena Easton
  • Deleted Scenes and Expanded Angles
  • Original Theatrical Trailer, TV and radio spots
  • Photo Galleries

DISC THIRTEEN – Octopussy (Over 6 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director John Glen
  • Commentary with Roger Moore
  • 4 Featurettes
  • Original Screen Tests with James Brolin
  • “All Time High” Music Video
  • Original Theatrical Trailers

DISC FOURTEEN – A View to a Kill (Over 6 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director John Glen and the cast and crew
  • Commentary with Roger Moore
  • 4 Featurettes
  • A View to a Kill Music Video performed by Duran Duran
  • Original Theatrical Trailers and TV spots

DISC FIFTEEN – The Living Daylights (Over 5 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director John Glen and cast and crew
  • 3 Featurettes
  • Deleted scenes with introductions from Director John Glen
  • The Living Daylights Music Video performed by A-Ha
  • Original Theatrical Trailers

DISC SIXTEEN – Licence to Kill (Over 6 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director John Glen and cast
  • Commentary with Producer Michael G. Wilson and crew
  • 3 Featurettes
  • Licence to Kill Music Video performed by Gladys Knight
  • “If You Asked Me To” Music Video Performed by Patti LaBelle
  • Opening Titles Sequence
  • Original Theatrical Trailers
  • Photo Galleries

DISC SEVENTEEN – GoldenEye (Over 5 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Martin Campbell and Producer Michael G. Wilson
  • 8 Featurettes
  • Deleted scenes
  • GoldenEye Music Video performed by Tina Turner

DISC EIGHTEEN – Tomorrow Never Dies (Over 9 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Roger Spottiswoode and Dan Petrie, Jr.
  • Commentary with Vic Armstrong and Producer Michael G. Wilson
  • 2 Featurettes
  • Interview with Composer David Arnold
  • Deleted and Extended Scenes with introduction from Director Roger Spottiswoode
  • Tomorrow Never Dies Music Video performed by Sheryl Crow
  • The James Bond Theme (Moby’s Re-Version)

DISC NINETEEN – The World Is Not Enough (Over 6 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Michael Apted
  • Commentary with Peter Lamont, David Arnold and Vic Armstrong
  • 4 Featurettes
  • Opening Titles Sequence
  • The World Is Not Enough Music Video performed by Garbage
  • Deleted, Extended and Alternate Scene
  • Original Theatrical Trailer
  • Photo Galleries

DISC TWENTY – Die Another Day (Over 8 hours of content)

  • Commentary with Director Lee Tamahori and Producer Michael G. Wilson
  • Commentary with Pierce Brosnan and Rosamund Pike
  • 5 Featurettes
  • MI6 Datastream Trivia Track with Branching Video
  • Opening Titles Sequence
  • Photo Galleries

DISC TWENTY ONE – Casino Royale (Over 1 hour of content)

  • Becoming Bond
  • James Bond: For Real
  • Chris Cornell Music Video

DISC TWENTY TWO – Quantum of Solace (Over 1 hour of content)

  • 2 Featurettes
  • “Another Way to Die” Music Video
  • Original Theatrical Trailers

 

UK Premiere! Eurocrime! The Italian Cop and Gangster Films that Ruled the ’70s

FRIGHTFEST 13: EMPIRE CINEMA, LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON.

SATURDAY 25TH AUGUST – UK PREMIERE – EUROCRIME! THE ITALIAN COP AND GANGSTER FILMS THAT RULED THE ‘70S

 


Directed by Mike Malloy. Starring Franco Nero, Enzo G. Castellari, Henry Silva, Richard Harrison and John Saxon. USA 2012, 127 mins.

ROME ARMED TO THE TEETH, MILAN CALIBRE 9, CRY OF A PROSTITUTE, HOW TO KILL A JUDGE… just four of the hundreds of ‘poliziotteschi’ movies the Italian Film Industry churned out during the turbulent 1970s once the Spaghetti Western and Giallo trends subsided. First they aped the American crime hits of the day DIRTY HARRY and THE GODFATHER. But soon they addressed typically Italian issues like the Mafia, Camorra, Red Brigade and even ‘scippo’ – Vespa bag-snatching. And rushed production methods meant ‘poliziotteschi’ superstars Franco Nero, Richard Harrison, Luc Merenda and Maurizio Merli performing their own stunts, directors stealing shots, no live sound recording and a rapid bleed-over between real crime torn from newspaper headlines and violent movie action. Here those once involved in the genre paint a brilliant picture of all that madness and mayhem in this lucidly explained visually dynamic documentary packed with fabulous clips and poster artwork.

Full festival passes are on sale now and single performance tickets go on sale 28th July – Check the Frightfest website for further details

Dario Argento: The Man, the Myths and the Magic – FAB Press (Alan Jones)

Profondo Argento, now fully updated, re-named and re-issued with brand new chapters!

Limited Edition, available in hardback only!

Features full-length interviews with: Asia Argento, Claudio Argento, Fiore Argento, Lamberto Bava, Roy Bava, Simon Boswell, Michael Brandon, Chiara Caselli, Luigi Cozzi, Liam Cunningham, Keith Emerson, Franco Ferrini, Jessica Harper, Udo Kier, Daria Nicolodi, Stefania Rocca, George A. Romero, Gianni Romoli, Dardano Sacchetti, Julian Sands, Tom Savini, Claudio Simonetti, Michele Soavi, Sergio Stivaletti, Max Von Sydow, Ronnie Taylor, Luciano Tovoli.

All-new illustrations! Never-before-seen behind the scenes photos, exclusive shots specially produced for this book, rare artwork and stills.

This book features full coverage of Argento’s new film Dracula 3D.

Full details and pre-order info at the FAB Press website HERE