October may be over, but that doesn’t mean horror and sci-fi fans don’t have anything to look forward to this month. November 4th will see the release of Brett Ratner’s Hercules 3D and a few cult classics, including The Doctor and the Devils and The Ninth Configuration. There are also several indie horror movies making their debut this week, including The Taking of Deborah Logan, Ghost Bride and Dead Girls.
And for those of you looking to add a few Blu-ray collections to your home library, Amazon is releasing an exclusive set in honor of Stanley Kubrick (which looks stellar) and there's also a new Doctor Who box set to look forward to as well.
SPOTLIGHT TITLES:
The Doctor and the Devils (Scream Factory, Blu-ray)
Based on Dylan Thomas’ original screenplay, this shocking horror-thriller stars Timothy Dalton as Thomas Rock, a brilliant young anatomy professor in 1820s Edinburgh. At first accepting only the cadavers provided him for study, those of a few hanged criminals per year, Rock eventually recruits two grave robbers (Jonathan Pryce and Stephen Rea) to secure a better supply of corpses. Coming to the gory conclusion that they will earn more the fresher the corpses, the two begin committing murder and delivering warm bodies to the doctor’s lecture chambers. Also starring Julian Sands, Patrick Stewart and Twiggy, The Doctor and the Devils brings classic chills from start to finish.
Hercules 3D (Paramount Home Entertainment, 3D Blu-ray/Blu/DVD/Digital HD)
Global superstar Dwayne Johnson delivers an unforgettable performance as the mighty Hercules in this thrilling story of strength, courage and heroism. When a terrifying new enemy threatens the innocent, Hercules and his fearless team of warriors must lead their army in a battle against overwhelming odds.
The Hercules Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray Combo Packs with Digital HD include both the theatrical version of the film, as well as an extended cut (in 2D only) with exciting new action not seen in theaters. The sets also boast over an hour of in-depth, behind-the-scenes special features including 15 deleted and extended scenes, interviews with the cast and crew, a look at the weapons employed by Hercules and his team, commentary featuring director Brett Ratner and more.
Special features include Theatrical version in high definition, Commentary by director Brett Ratner and producer Beau Flynn, Extended cut in high definition, Brett Ratner and Dwayne Johnson: An Introduction, Hercules and his Mercenaries—Delve into the story behind the team assembled by Hercules for his perilous missions and the skills required of them, Weapons!—Exploration of the weapons created for the spectacular action scenes, including training with the actors, The Bessi Battle—Discover how one of the major action sequences of the film was created with the filmmakers, actors, stunt team, make-up effects and more, The Effects of Hercules—A behind-the-scenes look at the film's spectacular visual effects and 15 Deleted/Extended Scenes.
Stanley Kubrick: The Masterpiece Collection- Amazon Exclusive (Warner Home Video, Blu-ray)
This 10-disc Blu-ray collection includes eight Kubrick classics as well as two newly-produced documentaries: Kubrick Remembered and Stanley Kubrick in Focus, plus three additional documentaries: Once Upon a Time…’A Clockwork Orange’, Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures, and O Lucky Malcolm! Also included will be a new 78-page hardcover photo book using film archive photographs.
Films in the collection include Lolita (1962), Dr. Strangelove (1964), 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968), A Clockwork Orange (1971), Barry Lyndon (1975), The Shining (1980), Full Metal Jacket (1987) and Eyes Wide Shut (1999). Kubrick Remembered offers a new look into the Kubrick archives, with special appearances by the director’s wife, Christiane Kubrick, as well as never-seen footage of Stanley’s works, his house and his film production facilities. Stanley Kubrick in Focus presents such directors as Steven Spielberg, Steven Soderbergh, Oliver Stone, William Friedkin and Martin Scorsese relating how Kubrick’s directorial style influenced them.
ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK:
Dead Girls (Brain Damage Films, DVD)
Doctor Who: The Matt Smith Years (BBC Home Entertainment, Blu-ray)
Ghost Bride (Midnight Releasing, DVD)
High School of the Dead: The Complete Collection (Section 23, DVD)
The Ninth Configuration (Henstooth Video, Blu-ray)
The Taking of Deborah Logan (Millennium, DVD)