If the title of this post is a little convoluted, it’s only because 2011 is looking to be a very good year for marginal cinema in HD. I can’t possibly keep up with everything that’s on the calendar, but here’s a brief rundown of the upcoming titles I’m most excited about:
Birdemic: Shock and Terror (2008)
company: Severin Films
release date: 02/22/2011 pre-order link: Amazon.com
Extras are still listed as TBA for this high-definition release of James Nguyen’s DIY epic. Once described as “Confounding, painful, and terrifically hilarious” by yours truly, Birdemic: Shock and Terror is an experience that defies easy explanation. You’ll either love it or hate it, but either way it’s a film you’re not likely to forget. Get your beer and clothes hangers ready – it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
The Beyond (a.k.a. 7 Doors of Death / E tu vivrai nel Terrore: L’Aldia) (1981)
company: Arrow Video
release date: 03/14/2011 pre-order link: Amazon.co.uk
Even a delay of a month (to secure rights for some older supplements) can’t dampen my enthusiasm for this release, which marks the first time my favorite Fulci horror effort has been seen in HD. The full details of the package can be found at my earlier post here – suffice it to say that the supplements look stacked. Note that as of this writing the Amazon link above still lists the release date as February 14th, but discussion at the Cult-Labs Forum has confirmed that release of the title is delayed. Note: Wtf-Film review published on February 28th.
Galaxina (1980) / The Crater Lake Monster (1977)
company: Mill Creek Entertainment
release date: 03/22/2011 pre-order link: Amazon.com
There are no details out there at all for this one as of yet, but the very idea of these two titles in HD (Galaxina was previously available on HD-DVD) is enough to get me interested. The Crater Lake Monster was a go-to VHS for me in my brief tenure as a video store clerk, and I think this bargain-priced double feature is worth it for its inclusion alone. If prior Mill Creek releases are any indication supplements will be nothing or close to it, but at a retail price of $14.98 (with an additional 30% off if pre-ordered today) who can complain?
Alien 2: On Earth (a.k.a. Alien Terror / Alien 2: Sulla Terra) (1980)
company: Midnight Legacy
release date: 03/22/2011 pre-order link: Amazon.com
My adoration for this film, a quaint little Alien cash-in directed by Cirio Ippolito in 1980, is not to be underestimated. Reminiscent of The Outer Limits episode Corpus Earthling with a touch of The Monolith Monsters thrown in for good measure, Alien 2: On Earth concerns alien rocks that crash land on Earth and promptly set to gorily attacking an intrepid band of cave explorers. It may not make much sense, but this no-budget over-achiever gets a strong recommendation from me. Supplements include the original trailer and silent alternate and excised footage sourced from the negative B roll.
Zombie Holocaust (a.k.a. Dr. Butcher M.D) (1980)
company: Shriek Show (Media Blasters)
release date: 04/19/2011 pre-order link: Amazon.com
Media Blasters have a terrible history of delaying their titles to the point of absurdity (just look at their proposed Blu-ray of D’Amato’s Beyond the Darkness, originally scheduled for last July and since pushed back to March of this year), but I hope this one comes off as planned. An effort to cash-in on both the zombie and cannibal sub-genres that were taking Europe by storm, Zombie Holocaust is an awful slice of camp hilarity that needs to be seen to be believed. No details on extras, but the cover for this Blu-ray / DVD combo pack looks pretty sweet!
Deep Red (a.k.a. Profondo Rosso) (1975)
company: Blue Underground
release date: 04/26/2011 pre-order link: Amazon.com
Previously released on Blu-ray through UK outfit Arrow Video, it is hoped that this Blue Underground edition will not present with the same careless encoding issues that marred that otherwise fine presentation of this Argento classic. Advertised as being newly transferred from the original elements, this edition includes both the English (105 minutes) and Italian (126 minutes) cuts of the film, two music videos, English and Italian trailers, and interviews with the film’s creators.
I’ve either pre-ordered or am otherwise expecting all of the titles enumerated above and will be reviewing them all in time. Stay tuned!
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