Thriller Rod Lott
Following in the frenzied footsteps of such brain-screwers as
Christopher Nolan's "Memento," "The Prestige" and "Inception" comes the
equally intelligent "Source Code," director Duncan Jones' follow-up to
his earlier acclaimed mind-bender "Moon."
One month ago, I reviewed six films that fall into the grindhouse genre known simply as “women in prison.” Three flicks apiece were part of two new DVD collections: Shout! Factory's "Women in Cages Collection" and Synapse's "Women in Prison Triple Feature.” At the time, picking which was better was like picking your favorite child.
But now I’m going with the former because on Aug. 23, Shout! Factory will release the same set on the glorious, ever-so-pristine format of Blu-ray. This means that Pam Grier’s br -- well, you get where I’m going with that. It must be what God intended when he created high-definition.
For those not attuned to the saucy, sassy style of producer Roger Corman’s wildly successful WIP efforts, Shout! Factory gives you these three safe-for-work clips. Watch. Then buy. —Rod Lott
One new-to-DVD/VOD documentary I’m interested in checking out is “Damn!” It’s not about my favorite expletive, but YouTube sensation Jimmy McMillan.
The founder of the political party known as Rent Is Too Damn High, the 64-year-old New York gubernatorial candidate McMillan seems like quite the character, being a Vietnam vet, black belt karate master, former stripper and 1970s soul singer. He became famous when his televised appearance on the 2010 debates went viral, with more than 2 million views in 24 hours.
A screener’s supposedly coming our way, so expect a review before too long. In the meantime, check out these three deleted scenes from the doc. In the first, he shares a sexual secret; in the second, he demonstrates “verbal judo”; and in the third, he shares his love for Eminem, marijuana and his favorite movie, which is ... um, “Deep Throat.” —Rod Lott
Edmond-based Sure Crossing Films is behind the Internet-fueled thriller “iCrime,” which hits DVD and VOD on Sept. 27.
Sure Crossing principals Richard Ford and Scott Bridges produced the flick, set in the world of vlogs. Here’s the official synopsis: “’iCrime’ begins with the live kidnapping of a popular Internet celebrity and follows an Oklahoma girl obsessed with exposing it as a hoax, catapulting her to her own online celebrity in the process.”
Plus, the page for the film’s YouTube trailer mentions the phrase “sex tape.” Now you’re interested, right? —Rod Lott
I’m always in the mood for a good zombie movie. I’m not sure that “L.A. Zombie,” hitting DVD Sept. 20, counts. My reasons:
1. It’s 62 minutes long and contains the warning “explicit sexual content.” You know what that means. (Cue the waka-waka music.) 2. Its tagline is “First he eats your brains... then your a**!” 3. Fangoria raves, “thoughtful.” <em>—Rod Lott</em>
‘Maybe BNL has two Billboard awards to your zero.’
One of the scant few sitcoms worth watching, “Community” is about to start its third season on NBC, but its second hits DVD next Tuesday.
We’ll have a review of the four-disc set sooner rather than later, but for now, feast on these choice clips. I point you in particular to the first, in which a diss of the group Barenaked Ladies sparks a “oh, no he di’n’t” pile-on. If I had a million dollars, I’d put this on that screen in Times Square. —Rod Lott
Mental hospitals, regular hospitals — is no place safe?
Horror Rod Lott
Earlier this summer, I read a book about the history of slasher movies,
and kept a list as I went along of movies I've somehow managed not
to see. As if by sheer coincidence, Shout! Factory plops two of them
together in one "Killer Double Feature": 1988's "Bad Dreams" and 1982's
"Visiting Hours," each on their own disc.
Sci-Fi Rod Lott
As a huge Vincent Price fan, I’ve literally been waiting more than a
decade for 1961’s “Master of the World” to hit DVD. At one time, it was
slated to be released under MGM’s “Midnite Movies” line — I remember
reading in a magazine that screenwriter Richard Matheson either
completed interviews or commentary for it — before the studio abandoned
that umbrella.
Documentary Rod Lott
Released in conjunction with "The Blood Trilogy" Blu-ray from Something
Weird Video and Image Entertainment is their companion DVD documentary,
"Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore." Helmed by the great
Frank Henenlotter ("Frankenhooker," "Basket Case"), the feature-length
doc is longer than any one entry in that trilogy, which is comprised of
"Blood Feast," "Two Thousand Maniacs!" and "Color Me Blood Red."
Movies aren't all dreary and eerie at this film festival. A few are pure
comedies, and so far, I've caught two, neither from these United
States.
First, "New Kids Turbo," a Danish delight about five slackers with
mullets who are too lazy to get and/or keep a job, and welfare checks
just don't support their beer-swillin' lifestyles, so they decide to
stop paying for anything anymore. Not only does this attract the
attention of the authorities, but the idea catches on with the
recession-weary populace. Politically incorrect slapstick ensues, and
the jokes are lobbed at rapid fire. The quintet of rude, crude losers
breaks several rules of things you should never do in movies (i.e. kill
the dog), but they get away with it and have you laughing all the way.
Nothing gets lost in the translation.
And then there's Japan's "Karate-Robo Zaborgar," equally as silly and
satisfying. This one's both an update and a spoof of a kiddie
live-action series from yesteryear, à la "Ultraman," so the approach is
both reverent and respectfully raunchy (think "The Brady Bunch Movie").
It's about the love story between a man and his fighting, transforming
robot, and all the enemies they fight (or attempt to) along the way. One
of them is Diarrhea Robot, so named because of ... well, you'll see
when this hits USA DVD before long. —Rod Lott
": 1988's "Bad Dreams" and 1982's
"Visiting Hours," each on their own disc.
