Avenged (DVD)
While travelling across country, Zoe (Amanda Adrienne), a lovely deaf mute woman, stumbles on a horrific crime — a gang of rednecks slaughtering two Native American boys. Zoe’s brave attempt to save one of the boys seals her fate. She is captured, raped and left for dead. When an Indian shaman finds her clinging to life in a shallow grave he attempts to save her, but something goes horribly wrong. The spirit of an ancient Apache warrior takes host of Zoe’s dead body. So now she walks amongst the living, hell-bent on getting.
Originally titled “Savaged,” the new title is not only more politically correct but also more accurate. This is basically a rape-revenge story with enough of a twist to make it slightly more interesting and watchable than other similar recent additions to the horror subgenre. Sophia is a deaf mute, which makes her the perfect victim for her white supremacist attackers. Thankfully this movie foregoes the extended abuse sequences that are typical of the genre. However, centring this film on the slaughter of a Native American population and incorporating a supernatural element raises it above similar pictures. Salvador is impressive in the role of resurrected warrior, even performing most of the stunts in the final fight herself. Also her victims are such appalling people, watching their often drawn out deaths is not that difficult.
Special features include: alternate opening; and behind-the-scenes video. (Anchor Bay Entertainment)
Breakin’/Breakin’ II: Electric Boogaloo double feature (Blu-ray)
Breakin’: A rich girl named Kelly (Lucinda Dickey) learns the moves of the street under the tutelage of Ozone (Adolfo “Shabba Doo” Quiñones) and Turbo (Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers). In spite of her disapproving dance instructor, Kelly overcomes the odds to become a poppin’ and lockin’ princess — and the secret weapon in Ozone and Turbo’s battle against rival dance team Electro Rock.
Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo: A hip-hop homage to the “hey kids, let’s put on a show!” musicals of Hollywood’s yesteryear, this follow-up finds our heroes coming to the rescue of a community centre facing demolition at the hands of a greedy real-estate developer.
The first film can easily be identified as one of the inspirations for the modern-day Step Up movie franchise as the core premise revolves around a classical dancer being taught how to street dance. Ozone and Turbo are curious characters, while Kelly is fun-loving and possibly even more open-minded than her new dance partners. In addition to the simple narrative, the film consists of a lot of break dancing sequences and battles. Having already established the characters and their personalities in the first movie, the sequel takes a different approach. However, in attempting to give some of the characters broader storylines, it weakens the whole narrative by creating a lot of holes instead. Nonetheless, the dance numbers remain solid with a West Side Story-style gang confrontation and an extended one-man show in a rotating room.
Special features include: commentary by Bugaloo director Sam Firstenberg, actor Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones and Bugaloo editor Marcus Manton; “The Elements Of Hip Hop”; “The Culture Of Hip Hop”; “Shout Outs”; “Living Legends Montage”; and original trailer. (Shout Factory)
Deep in the Darkness (Blu-ray)
Dr. Michael Cayle (Sean Patrick Thomas) thought leaving the chaotic lifestyle of New York City for the quiet, small town of Ashborough would bring his family closer together. Soon after arriving, however, he discovers the town’s deepest secret: a terrifying and controlling race of creatures that live in the darkness in the woods behind his home.
The basis of this picture is relatively simple, but it is executed particularly well. The story unfolds rather slowly, gradually uncovering pieces of the puzzle. Everyone in town — and in the doctor’s own home — is so secretive, it’s easy to sympathize with his frustration and anxiety. Yet each new reveal draws the audience further into the mystery and engages them more in its outcome. It’s not often a black actor is cast as the hero of a horror story, but Thomas is definitely up to the task. While it’s never made entirely clear what exactly is occurring in the small town (such as its connection to the doctor’s provocative dreams), the story doesn’t feel incomplete at its conclusion. On the other hand, it didn’t really have to start with a scene from the end of the narrative to hook the viewer as the main script is already engaging enough.
There are no special features. (Scream Factory)
Escape from New York — Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray)
In a world ravaged by crime, the entire island of Manhattan has been converted into a walled prison where brutal prisoners roam. But when the US president (Donald Pleasence) crash-lands inside, only one man can bring him back: notorious outlaw and former Special Forces war hero Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell). But time is short. In 24 hours, an explosive device implanted in his neck will end Snake’s mission — and his life — unless he succeeds.
Snake Plisskin is an iconic character well-deserving of the special treatment afforded his film’s latest release. His tough guy persona paired with a caustic wit made this movie a cult classic. The dystopian or apocalyptic future was a popular subject in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, but this films stands as one of the best to be produced. The cast was packed with recognizable names and faces from a number of genres, including Pleasence, Isaac Hayes, Harry Dean Stanton, Ernest Borgnine, Lee Van Cleef and Adrienne Barbeau. John Carpenter had already proven his talent as a writer and director, and this bizarre journey into a world gone mad is one of his best creations. Combining elements of action, sci-fi and breakout genres, Carpenter applied no limits to what could occur on this forsaken island prison. There was only one thing for certain – Plisskin was alive and he planned to stay that way.
Special features include: commentary by actress Adrienne Barbeau and director of photography Dean Cundey; commentary by director John Carpenter and actor Kurt Russell; commentary by producer Debra Hill and production designer Joe Alves; deleted scene: the original opening bank robbery sequence; “Big Challenges in Little Manhattan: The Visual Effects of Escape from New York”; “Scoring the Escape: A Discussion with Composer Alan Howarth”; “On Set with John Carpenter: The Images of Escape From New York with Photographer Kim Gottlieb-Walker”; “I Am Taylor: An Interview with Actor Joe Unger”; “My Night On The Set: An Interview with Filmmaker David DeCoteau”; “Return To Escape From New York”; photo galleries; and theatrical trailers. (Scream Factory)
Ghoulies/Ghoulies II double feature (Blu-ray)
Ghoulies: Take a creepy old Hollywood mansion, a naive young man (Peter Liapis) and a pretty girl (Lisa Pelkin). Add an over-the-top orgy and some slimy, winged goblins that crawl out of toilets, and you have Ghoulies. Conjured during a party thrown by the mansion’s new owner, the hairy, fanged demons waste no time wreaking havoc on the scene — and declaring the unsuspecting owner their new lord and master.
Ghoulies II: Stowed away in “Satan’s Den,” the traveling House of Horror operated by carnival workers Larry (Damon Martin) and Uncle Ned (Royal Dano), the Ghoulies merrily devour the sideshow attraction’s patrons until Larry realizes his horror house is for real and tries to flee the scene.
Horror movies from the ‘80s are some of the most innovative, but also some of the most ridiculous. In the first picture, the occult leader’s son basically takes up his father’s craft with almost no coercion, explanation or instruction. Within days he’s completely absorbed by dark magic and has become an elite sorcerer. But if you’re already being asked to accept the existence of these small, wonderfully ugly creatures from Hell, the rest shouldn’t be that much of a stretch. In the sequel, possibly due to some influence by the success of Gremlins, the evil beasts are given the opportunity to act much more mischievously. They relish attention of the unsuspecting carnival goers while continuing to conduct their malicious deeds. It’s also possible the tiny puppets have been made even the slightest bit cuter than their original incarnations.
Special features include: commentary by director/co-writer Luca Bercovici; new interviews with executive producer Charles Band, composer Richard Band, actor Michael Des Barres and special effects makeup artist John Vulich; rare deleted scenes; new interviews with executive producer Charles Band, actors Kerry Remsen and Donnie Jeffcoat, and special effects artist Gino Crognale; and original theatrical trailers. (Scream Factory)
The Virginian (DVD)
Raised by powerful cattle baron Judge Henry (Ron Perlman), South, aka “The Virginian” (Trace Adkins), lives his life as a ranch enforcer with bravery and steely determination. When a big-city writer (Brendan Penny) raises questions about the fierce treatment of rustlers, South is quick to defend the brutal realities of the “Code of the West”. But as he looks deeper into the latest string of rustling and finds his convictions questioned by a pretty new schoolteacher (Victoria Pratt), South begins to wonder if the Judge had ulterior motives in raising him to a life of bloodshed and violence.
This picture attempts to unite several aspects typical of various Western films, such as the private and intelligent man of justice who’s also the best shooter in the territory; the city intellectual who’s arrived in town looking for an escape; the attractive school teacher who immediately captures at least one of their hearts; and the deputized ne’er-do-well who believes he’s above the law. Trying to pull together so many stereotypes into one movie doesn’t add anything new to the genre and is tedious for its fans. There’s nothing amiss with any of the performances, but then they’ve had a lot examples from which to learn.
Special features include: behind-the-scenes featurette. (Anchor Bay Entertainment)
The Voices (DVD)
Jerry Hickfang (Ryan Reynolds) is a seemingly loveable but slightly odd factory worker. In reality, however, he’s a schizophrenic loner tiptoeing on the edge of insanity. His initially innocent crush on a co-worker turns dangerous when he succumbs to the voices only he can hear from his cat and dog. Torn between his desire for society’s version of normality and the surreal version of his own. Jerry’s voices eventually prevail and drive him down a twisted, criminal path.
Reynolds is generally the cute, funny, charming guy next door, which is what makes his casting in the role of a schizophrenic serial killer so perfect. In spite of his misguided penchant for murder, audiences are fond of and feel sorry for Jerry. If only he’d start taking his medication again, Jerry would be a total catch. Staying true to the concept, all the additional voices Jerry hears are still played by Reynolds and include a cat that sounds like a Scottish man. The progression of his hallucinations and mental illness is as amusing as it is sad since the voices in his head are quite humorous. As he spirals out of control, the script loses a little ground but all is forgiven during the closing song and dance. In addition, Gemma Arterton is quite charming, while Anna Kendrick seems under-utilized.
There are no special features. (Remstar)
