August 22nd boasts an eclectic array of home entertainment releases, as I can’t possibly think of two movies that are as opposite of each other as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Society, and yet both are coming home this Tuesday. For those of you Ash vs Evil Dead and The Walking Dead fans out there, the latest seasons of both are making their way to both Blu-ray and DVD, courtesy of Lionsgate.

Other notable releases for August 22nd include Effects, Lucifer: Season Two, Dark Silence, Dead Story, and The Domicile.

Ash vs Evil Dead: Season 2 (Lionsgate, Blu-ray & DVD)

Ash vs Evil Dead: Season 2 stars Bruce Campbell (The Evil Dead franchise), Lucy Lawless (TV’s “Spartacus: War of the Damned”), Ray Santiago (In Time), and Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas), as well as this season’s introduction of Lee Majors (TV’s “The Six Million Dollar Man”) as Ash’s father.

This season roars back into action with Ash leaving his beloved Jacksonville and returning to his home town of Elk Grove. There, he confronts Ruby, only to find that she too is now a victim of evil and in need of Ash’s help. The former enemies have to form an uneasy alliance to give them a chance of success as Elk Grove soon becomes the nucleus of evil.

BLU-RAY / DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

  • Audio Commentaries
  • Season 2 First look
  • “Inside the World of Ash vs Evil Dead” Featurette
  • “Up Your Ash” Featurette
  • “Women Who Kick Ash” Featurette
  • “Puppets Are Cute” Featurette
  • “Dawn of the Spawn” Featurette
  • “Bringing Henrietta Back” Featurette
  • “The Delta” Featurette
  • “How to Kill a Deadite” Featurette
  • Fatality Mash-Up

Effects (AGFA, Blu-ray)

Cobbled together with loose change by George Romero's friends, EFFECTS is a mesmerizing D.I.Y. frightmare that no one talks about, but everyone should. A group of coked-up filmmakers -- including Tom DAWN OF THE DEAD Savini, Joe DAY OF THE DEAD Pilato, and John TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE: THE MOVIE Harrison -- gather in Pittsburgh to make a slasher. As filming begins and accidents happen, it's clear that something isn't right. And no one can be trusted. Landing somewhere between SNUFF and a student film by John Carpenter, EFFECTS is a meta-enhanced takedown on the philosophy of horror that doubles as a sleazy and terrifying movie on its own.  

Bonus features include: New 4K scan from the only 35mm theatrical print in existence, BEASTIE short film, Archival commentary track with John Harrison, Dusty Nelson, and Pasquale Buba, UBU short film, Liner notes by Joseph A. Ziemba of AGFA and Bleeding Skull!, AFTER EFFECTS documentary with optional commentary track.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 4K Ultra HD/Blu/Digital HD & Blu/DVD/Digital HD)

Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, the film's storyline continues the team's adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians (Chris Pratt as Peter Quill/Star-Lord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista as Drax, Vin Diesel as the voice of Groot, and Bradley Cooper as Rocket) must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill's true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes' aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.

SPECIAL FEATURES AND TECHNICAL SPECS (may vary by retailer):

  • The Making of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" – A four-part, behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, done in the style of classic-rock album liner notes.
    Visionary Intro – Director James Gunn provides context on how he continues and expands the storylines of these beloved characters in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."
  • Guardians Inferno Music Video – Join David Hasselhoff and special guests for a galactic retro dance party.
  • Gag Reel – Laugh out loud at all the hilarious off-script shenanigans and bloopers that took place on the set of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2," featuring all your favorite Guardians.
  • Four Deleted Scenes – Check out four specific scenes that had to be cut from the film, including two extended scenes and two deleted scenes.
  • Audio Commentary – Check out a special narration of the film by director James Gunn, who guides fans through an inside look at the making of the movie.

Society: Limited Edition Steelbook (Arrow Videos, Blu-ray)

After producing Stuart Gordon’s hit Re-Animator, Brian Yuzna (Bride of Re-Animator, Return of the Living Dead III) turned his hand to directing with 1989’s Society, and gave birth to one of the ickiest, most original body horror shockers of all time.

Teenager Bill Whitney (Billy Warlock) has always felt like the odd one out in his wealthy, upper-class Beverly Hills family. For some reason, he just doesn’t seem to fit in. But his sense of alienation takes a sinister turn when he hears an audio recording of his sister’s coming-out party, which seems to implicate his family and others in a bizarre, ritualistic orgy. And then there are the strange things he’s been seeing glimpses of people with their bodies contorted impossibly out of shape... Is Bill going mad or is there something seriously amiss in his neighborhood?

Packing stomach-churning grue and thought-provoking social commentary in equal measure, Society is a biting horror satire which culminates in one of the most gag-inducing climaxes in all of horror history. 

DIRECTOR-APPROVED LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:

  • Newly remastered 2K digital transfer of the film, approved by director Brian Yuzna
  • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p)
  • Original Stereo 2.0 audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
  • Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Brand new audio commentary by Yuzna
  • Governor of Society: a brand new interview with Yuzna
  • The Masters of the Hunt: a brand new featurette including interviews with stars Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, Ben Meyerson, and Tim Bartell
  • The Champion of the Shunt: new featurette with FX artists Screaming Mad George, David Grasso and Nick Benson
  • 2014 Q&A with Yuzna, recorded at Celluloid Screams Festival
  • Brian Yuzna in conversation backstage at the Society world premiere
  • Persecution Mania: Screaming Mad George music video
  • Collectors booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Alan Jones, illustrated with original archive stills and posters.

The Walking Dead: The Complete Seventh Season (Lionsgate, Blu-ray & DVD)

The Walking Dead: The Complete Seventh Season stars Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually), Norman Reedus (Boondock Saints franchise), Lauren Cohan (The Boy), Danai Gurira (All Eyez On Me), and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (TV’s “Magic City”).

Picking up immediately after the thrilling cliff-hanger, Negan forces Rick and the group to fall under his will, brutally convincing them to live by his rules. To prevent further bloodshed, Rick genuinely believes they can make life under Negan, however terrible, work. But he soon learns that Negan can’t be reasoned with, and they must prepare to go to war now. Victory will require more than Alexandria, and Rick will need to convince their new allies from the Kingdom and Hilltop to band together with the common goal of taking down Negan and his army.

BLU-RAY / DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:

  • Audio Commentaries
  • Deleted & Alternate Scenes
  • “Inside The Walking Dead” Featurette
  • “The Making of The Walking Dead” Featurette
  • “In Memorium” Featurette
  • “A Larger World” Featurette
  • “Breaking & Rebuilding” Featurette
  • “A New Chapter of Fear” Featurette
  • “Top Walkers” Featurette
  • “Warrior Women” Featurette
  • “The Writers of The Walking Dead” Featurette

ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK: 

Dark Silence (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, DVD) 

Dead Story (Wild Eye Releasing, DVD) 

The Domicile (MTI Home Video, DVD)

Holiday Horrors Triple Feature (Wild Eye Releasing, DVD) 

Lucifer: The Complete Second Season (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Blu-ray & DVD) 

Root of Darkness (SRS Cinema, DVD)

  • Heather Wixson
    About the Author - Heather Wixson

    Heather A. Wixson was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, until she followed her dreams and moved to Los Angeles in 2009. A 14-year veteran in the world of horror entertainment journalism, Wixson fell in love with genre films at a very early age, and has spent more than a decade as a writer and supporter of preserving the history of horror and science fiction cinema. Throughout her career, Wixson has contributed to several notable websites, including Fangoria, Dread Central, Terror Tube, and FEARnet, and she currently serves as the Managing Editor for Daily Dead, which has been her home since 2013. She's also written for both Fangoria Magazine & ReMind Magazine, and her latest book project, Monsters, Makeup & Effects: Volume One will be released on October 20, 2021.