Blacula/Scream Blacula Scream double feature (Blu-ray)
Blacula: In 1780, African Prince Mamuwalde (William Marshall) pays a visit to Count Dracula in Transylvania, seeking his support in ending the slave trade. Instead, the evil count curses his noble guest and transforms him into a vampire. Released from his coffin nearly two centuries later by a pair of luckless interior decorators, Mamuwalde emerges as “Blacula,” one strange dude strollin’ the streets of L.A. on a nightly quest for human blood.
Scream Blacula Scream: Willis Daniels (Richard Lawson), the son of a late high priestess, seeks revenge on the cultists who have chosen his foster sister Lisa (Pam Grier) as their new leader. Hoping to curse Lisa, Willis unwittingly resurrects Blacula’s (Marshall) earthly remains — and unleashes the Prince of Darkness and his freaked-out army of the undead.
Most Blaxploitation films revolved around crime and justice, but this extrapolates a classic horror story to create a rather bizarre blend with the vampire genre. The first film is close to the classic Dracula tale as the creature believes he’s found the reincarnation of his long lost love in this modern world to which he adapts quite easily. In the second picture, he is less love struck and seemingly more in control of his destiny. The strangest part of this interpretation of the vampire is the hair growth he seems to experience when he fully “vamps out.” Marshall does an excellent job portraying Blacula as an old soul with a cursed thirst for blood that demands respect from his prodigies and victims alike.
Special features include: commentary by author/film historian/filmmaker David F. Walker; new interview with actor Richard Lawson; and theatrical trailers. (Scream Factory)
Dark Haul (Blu-ray)
The meaning of a cryptic prophecy divides a team of secretive guardians as they attempt to transport a deadly creature and its half-human sister in an 18-wheeler truck to a more secure location. But a hidden agenda undermines their mission, releasing the beast, and they end up battling for the fate of the world when the true meaning of the prophecy is discovered.
Audiences recently learned the special qualities of a seventh son born to a seventh son; this picture speculates that the thirteenth child of a thirteenth child is born a demon. In this case it’s twins: one winged beast that resembles classic images of the devil and a twin sister whose only physical irregularity is a tail. There’s not a lot, or at least sufficient, explanation of what’s going on so viewers are left to interpret what they see on screen and figure it out for themselves; though it eventually becomes clearer as the moral debate being played out gains momentum. Tom Sizemore is perfectly cast as the hard-headed, do-what-needs-to-be-done soldier, causing Rick Ravanello to appear to be the less practical of the two. Anecdotally, half-demon Evalena Marie shares a striking resemblance to Jessica Chastain.
There are no special features. (Scream Factory)
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital copy)
Security guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and his heroic friends embark on their greatest adventure yet as they travel to London in order to save the magic that brings the museum exhibits to life.
This film follows the general formula for trilogies, including going back to the beginning and demonstrating no one is safe. The adventure and excitement are built into the ticking clock narrative, though the pace of the erosion seems sporadic and linked to its purpose as a plot device. While the longevity and nature of the characters leaves it open for further sequels, it’s probably safe to assume this will be the final picture in the franchise (though Rebel Wilson‘s security guard adventures would probably be fascinating). With director Shawn Levy and the original cast returning one last time, it maintains the feel of the other films from the comedy to the emotions to the sheer scale and mysticism of the stories. The change in location is just the variation they needed to keep the plot fresh without too many modifications.
Special features include: commentary by director Shawn Levy; extended and deleted scenes; “Improv, Absurdity and Cracking Up – The Comedy of Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb”; “The Theory of Relativity”; “Becoming Laaa”; “A Day in the Afterlife”; “The Home of History: Behind the Scenes of The British Museum”; “Fight at the Museum”; “Creating Visual Effects”; and galleries. (Fox Home Entertainment)
Pee-wee’s Playhouse: Seasons Three, Four & Five (DVD)
The final 23 incredible episodes of this ground-breaking series — including “Pee-wee’s Playhouse Christmas Special” — have been meticulously re-mastered from its original film elements.
It’s hard to believe Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens) began as the lead character in a late-night adult variety show — essentially the type of act you may find between peep show performances. And then some network head had the brilliant foresight to see it could have a larger audience if the content was kid-friendly. That’s not to say watching now that there still isn’t any innuendo, but it goes over the heads of younger viewers. Laurence Fishburne even co-starred as series regular, Cowboy Curtis. The talking furniture, such as Chairry, remains iconic to this day. The regular Penny cartoons were always amusing and sometimes a little dark, while the animations from way back in the vault matched the quirky nature of the show that was heavily inspired by ‘50s children’s shows such as Captain Kangaroo. If it hadn’t been for Reubens’ legal troubles, the show probably would have continued beyond five seasons.
Special features include: new interviews with members of the cast and crew. (Shout Factory)
To Write Love on her Arms (DVD)
Renee (Kat Dennings) is a Florida girl who struggles with addiction and abuse. In a creative blend of artistic fantasy and music conflicted with hard reality, Renee discovers the value of genuine friendships and embarks on a daunting yet courageous journey towards recovery.
This film is based on one person’s story that unexpectedly started a movement to help and support people dealing with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. But it’s not the typical Lifetime movie journey of inspiration and salvation. Parallel to Renee’s struggles and victories is a beautiful fantasy world into which she regularly escapes with the help of music and art. When she puts on her headphones, she is with the artist and they are performing in-person for her. Her remarkable imagination brings her drawings to life and allows her to escape into a beautiful garden that she created as a child. But there is also a dark side seen through her excessive drug use and cutting. Moreover, this story does not end when she enters rehab or even when she gets out because recovery isn’t that easy. Everyone involved in this picture in front and behind the camera united to tell an amazing story of struggle and survival in a unique and accessible manner that isn’t about manipulating the viewer’s emotions but rather depicting the honest tale of a woman who lived and is helping others do the same.
Special features include: deleted scenes; a making-of featurette; “First Look: Renee Yohe’s Story”; “Music in the Movie: Amplifying the Story”; on-set video blogs; and character profiles. (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Wolfcop (Blu-ray)
Officer Lou Garou (Leo Fafard) isn’t the best cop in small-town Woodhaven — in fact, he’s probably the worst. He mostly just looks to avoid anything that could possibly interfere with his goal of getting wasted. One evening during the night shift, Lou investigates a mysterious disturbance at the edge of town and wakes up with a pentagram carved in his chest, heightened senses and body hair that’s growing at an alarming rate. To solve the mystery of his transformation, he’ll have to take on a case no normal cop would be able to solve, but this half-man, half-beast is not just a cop…he’s a Wolfcop.
There are many questions that arise while viewing this picture, such as how does a barely functioning alcoholic retain a job as deputy? But that sort of nonsensical reasoning informs most of the movie, making it easier to just accept rather than try to understand. Consequently the film is absurd from start to finish with inept police work, strange satanic rituals, more than one supernatural creature and some of the most bizarre sex imaginable. Taking a page from Teen Wolf, when Lou finally grasps that he’s a werewolf he puts his uniform on over his fur and proceeds to take down a group of criminals that are wanted for a series of robberies. In less than 80 minutes, filmmakers create a silly and entertaining horror comedy that manages to be unique in some respects while paying homage to its predecessors.
Special features include: commentary by writer/director Lowell Dean and special effects artist Emersen Ziffle; “Wolfcop Unleashed”; “The Birth of Wolfcop” Wolfcop music video; outtakes; and trailer. (Anchor Bay Entertainment & RLJ Entertainment)
