Well, March is definitely “going out like a lamb” (as the old saying goes) when it comes to horror and sci-fi home entertainment releases, as there are only several different titles coming home this Tuesday.
Universal Studios is releasing J.A. Bayona’s heartbreaking modern fable, A Monster Calls, to both Blu-ray and DVD this week, and if you're a cult film fan, then you have a few fun movies to look forward to adding to your home collections: Witchtrap, Venom, and the four-film collection for Wishmaster, a new addition to the Vestron Video Collector’s Series.
Other notable releases for March 28th include Mortuary Massacre, The Abduction of Jennifer Grayson, Park Chan-Wook's The Handmaiden (which finally gets the Blu-ray treatment), and for the little monster fans, Monster High: Electrified.
A Monster Calls (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Blu/DVD/Digital HD & DVD)
Liam Neeson, Felicity Jones, and Sigourney Weaver star in this visually spectacular and stunningly emotional drama. Young Conor's life takes a turn after his mother (Felicity Jones) becomes ill and he moves in with his unsympathetic grandmother (Sigourney Weaver). As an escape, Conor turns to his artwork and conjures up a 40-foot-high monster (voiced by Liam Neeson) who becomes a most unlikely ally by guiding him on a journey of courage, faith and truth that powerfully fuses imagination and reality.
Special Features:
Venom (Blue Underground, Blu-ray)
Behind the drapes... Between the walls... In your bed... A thriller to make your skin crawl!
It was supposed to be the perfect crime: the sexy maid (Susan George of STRAW DOGS), a psychotic chauffeur (Oliver Reed of THE BROOD) and an international terrorist (the legendary Klaus Kinski) kidnap a wealthy ten-year-old boy from his elegant London townhouse. But they didn't count on a murdered cop, a desperate hostage siege, and one very unexpected houseguest: a furious Black Mamba, the most lethal and aggressive snake known to nature. It can attack from ten feet away. Its bite brings excruciating death. And it is on the loose. Now, terror knows no antidote... and the ultimate in slithering mayhem is VENOM.
Sterling Hayden (THE KILLING), Nicol Williamson (EXCALIBUR) and Sarah Miles (BLOW-UP) co-star in this gripping suspense thriller based on the novel by best-selling author Alan Scholefield and directed by Piers Haggard (THE BLOOD ON SATAN'S CLAW). VENOM has been remastered in 2K High Definition from its negative and features some very real and extremely deadly Black Mambas!
Special Features:
Wishmaster 4-Film Collection: Vestron Video Collector’s Series (Lionsgate, Blu-ray)
LIMITED-EDITION COLLECTION! Includes all 4 WISHMASTER movies! New illustrated art from renowned artist Thomas Hodge w/Vestron Video Collector’s Edition Packaging including O Ring. A must-have for any cult classic collector. Restored and remastered, and packed with amazing special features!
Disc 1:
WISHMASTER
Audio Commentary with director Robert Kurtzman and screenwriter Peter Atkins
Audio Commentary with director Robert Kurtzman and stars Andrew Divoff and Tammy Lauren
Isolated Score Selections and Audio Interview with composer Harry Manfredini
Out of the Bottle Interviews with director Robert Kurtzman and co-producer David Tripet
The Magic Words An Interview with screenwriter Peter Atkins
The Djinn and Alexandra Interviews with stars Andrew Divoff and Tammy Lauren
Captured Visions An Interview with director of photography Jacques Haitkin
Wish List Interviews with actors Kane Hodder and Ted Raimi
Teaser Trailer
Theatrical Trailer
TV Spots
Radio Spots
Vintage Making Of featurette
Behind-The-Scenes Footage Compilation
Storyboard Gallery
Still Gallery
Disc 2:
WISHMASTER 2: EVIL NEVER DIES
Audio Commentary with writer/director Jack Sholder
Trailer
Still Gallery
Disc 3:
WISHMASTER 3: BEYOND THE GATES OF HELL
Audio Commentary with director Chris Angel and cast members John Novak, Jason Connery and Louisette Geiss
Vintage Making-of featurette (5 mins)
Trailer
WISHMASTER 4: THE PROPHECY FULFILLED
Audio commentary with director Chris Angel and cast members Michael Trucco and Jason Thompson
Audio commentary with director Chris Angel and actor John Novak
Wishmasterpiece Theatre featurette (7:15)
Trailer (1:22)
Witchtrap (Vinegar Syndrome, Blu/DVD Combo)
For years, the Lauter House has been plagued by strange and violent occurrences. Unexplained deaths and seemingly supernatural activities have scared away all perspective tenants and buyers, but now its owners have decided to turn the old mansion into a bed and breakfast. Follow a team of paranormal experts as they attempt to remove the demonic forces and cleanse the property of all evil, through the use of a special device designed to lure in and trap evil spirits. But as soon as they arrive, the violence begins again as members of the team begin to meet increasingly bloody fates...
Director Kevin Tenney's (NIGHT OF THE DEMONS) WITCHTRAP is a gleefully gory and over the top late 80s supernatural shocker. Starring James Quinn (WITCHBOARD) and featuring scream queen Linnea Quigley in the film's most memorable and creative death scene, Vinegar Syndrome is proud to bring this outrageous cult classic to Blu-ray, totally uncut, with its long censored gore fully intact, and in a brand new Director and Cinematographer approved restoration, for the first time anywhere in the world!
Bonus Features:
1. Newly scanned and restored in 2k from 35mm Interpositive
2. Completely uncut
3. Group commentary track with: Director Kevin Tenney, Producer Dan Duncan, Cinematographer Tom Jewett and Actor Hal Havins
4. Video interviews with: Director Kevin Tenney, Actress Linnea Quigley, Cinematographer Tom Jewett and SFX Supervisor Tassilo Baur
5. Audio interviews with: SFX Makeup Artist Judy Yonemoto and Music Composer Dennis Michael Tenney
6. Original video trailer
7. "Book of Joe" a short film Directed by Kevin Tenney
8. Alternate ending for "Book of Joe"
9. Production/Promotional still gallery
10. Original cover artwork by Corey Wolfe
11. Reversible cover artwork
12. English SDH Subtitles
ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK:
The Abduction of Jennifer Grayson (Wild Eye Releasing, DVD)
The Handmaiden (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Blu-ray)
Monster High: Electrified (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Blu/DVD/Digital HD & DVD/Digital)
Mortuary Massacre (Wild Eye Releasing, DVD)