StarCrash Coming To DVD And Blu-Ray From Shout! Factory

Source: Shout! Factory (Press Release)

A couple of weeks back I broke the story that Shout! Factory was going to be releasing "StarCrash" on DVD and Blu-Ray as part of their "Roger Corman's Cult Classics" line.

From the press release below, it really looks as if the video distributor has gone all-out on this one, which shout make the fans of this cult-classic, and the ultra-sexy Caroline Monro, absolutely ecstatic.

STARCRASH

Starring Caroline Munro, David Hasselhoff, Christopher Plummer,
Joe Spinell and Marjoe Gortner

2-DISC SPECIAL-EDITION BLU-RAY™ AND DVD
Digitally Remastered and Presented in Widescreen for the First Time with a Galaxy’s Worth of Special Features!

Crashing Home Entertainment Shelves Nationwide September 14, 2010 From Shout! Factory

One of the most eagerly awaited inter-galactic science-fiction adventures, released by Roger Corman’s New World Pictures, will finally be made available for the first time to the home entertainment shelves as StarCrash, directed by Luigi Cozzi, will debut September 14, 2010 on 2-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray and DVD from Shout! Factory, in association with New Horizons Picture Corporation. An adventure like no other, the StarCrash 2-Disc Special Edition contains anamorphic widescreen presentation of the movie with DTS HD 5.1 surround sound (Blu-ray), a reversible cover featuring vintage art for original movie posters and a payload of bonus content including all-new interviews and commentaries with cast and crew, rare behind-the-scenes footage and much more! A must-have for loyal fans of Roger Corman and Luigi Cozzi, science fiction enthusiasts and collectors, StarCrash 2-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray and DVD mark the latest installments from the popular ROGER CORMAN’S CULT CLASSICS home entertainment series from Shout! Factory. Each Special Edition Blu-ray and DVD is sold separately. Blu-ray is priced to own at $26.97; and DVD is available at $19.93.

Produced in Italy in the wake of Star Wars’ phenomenal success, StarCrash (also known as The Adventures of Stella Star in overseas territories) became an international blockbuster in its own right. This 1979 film became one of New World Pictures’ biggest box-office hits. Critics might have laughed, by so did audiences, who grooved to its campy humor, wildly imaginative special effects (some of them quite good!) and non-stop adventure. Where Star Wars dared not go, StarCrash went -- at warp speed!

The lasting peace of the galaxy is threatened by the diabolical and relentless Count Zarth Arn (cult icon Joe Spinell, Rocky, The Godfather and The Godfather - Part II), who is determined to take the universe for himself and make each planet his plaything, each inhabitant his slave. There is no question that the Count is evil, given his propensity for cackling at every opportunity.

Can anyone save the universe from this megalomaniacal madman? Indeed there is, and she’s quite a beauty.

Brave, bikini-clad star warrior Stella Star (Caroline Munro, The Spy Who Loved Me, At the Earth’s Core) and her co-pilot Akton (child evangelist-turned-actor Marjoe Gortner, Food of the Gods, Mausoleum) are pressed into service to thwart the evil Zarth Arn’s plot. If they succeed, galactic peace will be achieved. If they fail, the universe will fall into decay and destruction at the hands of its sadistic new overlord.

Have no fear, because Stella Star is here!

The film’s zesty, star-studded cast also includes People’s Choice Award winner David Hasselhoff (Knight Rider, Baywatch) in one of his first big-screen roles, noted screen tough guy Robert Tessier (The Longest Yard, The Cannonball Run) and legendary two-time Emmy® and Tony® Award winner, and Academy Award® nominee Christopher Plummer (The Last Station, Murder by Decree, The Sound of Music) as The Emperor.

StarCrash was written and directed by fan favorite Luigi Cozzi (AKA Lewis Coates), whose other cult masterworks include Alien Contamination (an “homage” to Alien) and the unforgettable Lou Ferrigno vehicle Hercules (an “homage” to Conan the Barbarian). The film also boasts a rousing score by five-time Academy Award® winner John Barry (Dances With Wolves, Out of Africa, 10 James Bond films).

Alas, StarCrash would prove to be the only big-screen Stella Star adventure ... but as its worldwide legion of fans will attest, it was one to remember!

STARCRASH 2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY and DVD BONUS CONTENT

New Anamorphic Widescreen Transfer (1.85:1) and DTS HD 5.1 Surround Sound (Blu-ray), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (DVD)

Disc One:

• Interview with writer/director Luigi Cozzi
• StarCrash: the music of John Barry, a detailed analysis of the score by
Mars of Deadhouse Music
• 2 feature-length commentaries by StarCrash historian Stephen Romano:

Commentary 1: the history of StarCrash, the making of the film and its importance in 1970s fantastic cinema.

Commentary 2: StarCrash scene-by-scene: production trivia, anecdotes and critical analysis.

• Behind-the-scenes image gallery, featuring storyboards, art, and rare, never-before-seen photos!
• Promotional art gallery, featuring photos, posters, lobby cards and early poster designs by Drew Struzan
• Fan art gallery, featuring an exclusive look at the all-new, sexy Stella Star art from fantasy illustrator Robin Greenville Evans
• Theatrical trailer with commentary by Eli Roth from Trailersfromhell.com and an all-new exclusive trailer commentary by filmmaker/editor Joe Dante!
• TV spots and radio Spots

DISC TWO
• Interview with actress Caroline Munro (60 min.)
• 17 Deleted and alternate scenes
• The complete, original StarCrash screenplay, illustrated with original storyboards and early, full-color concept art
• Exclusive 20-minute behind-the-scenes footage reel, with commentary
• The making of the special effects of StarCrash by Armando Valcauda with exclusive, never-before-seen special-effects footage

Shout! Factory will continue to present ROGER CORMAN’S CULT CLASSICS home entertainment releases on a monthly basis. Upcoming highlights include The Slumber Party Massacre collection, The Evil, Twice Dead, The Warrior and The Sorceress, Barbarian Queen, Not of This Earth, Terror Within, Streets, Angel in Red, Lady in Red, Crazy Mama, Big Bad Mama, among others.

Independent filmmaker-producer Roger Corman’s storied career ranks as one of Hollywood’s most amazing success stories. Having produced more than 350 films and directed 50 others, his influence on American film goes far beyond his own energetic, creative low-budget movies. He is arguably one of Hollywood’s most gifted and masterful filmmakers. In 2009 he was the recipient of an honorary Academy Award for his contribution to the medium of film.

Noted for his keen ability to spot young talent, Corman’s most lasting legacy will undoubtedly be the legion of producers, directors, writers and actors he has fostered, among them: Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola, Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese, James Cameron, Ron Howard, Peter Fonda, Jonathan Demme, Gale Anne Hurd, Diane Ladd, Tommy Lee Jones, William Shatner, Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Talia Shire, Charles Bronson, Joe Dante, Carl Franklin, Jonathan Kaplan, Bill Paxton, Dennis Hopper, Curtis Hanson, Peter Bogdanovich, John Sayles, David Carradine and Sally Kirkland.

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts GRAMMY®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. With its fingers on the pulse of pop culture, Shout! Factory continues to impact the entertainment media landscape through acquisition of top quality programming for home entertainment releases. Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit http://www.shoutfactory.com/

See Also: Starcrash And Gamera DVD News / B Movie Queen Caroline Monro To Make A Special UK Appearance / Starcrash (1979)

Monster DVD Madness! DEMEKING, GAMERA And HOUSE OF THE WOLF MAN

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Sources: Undead Backbrain / Dread Central / Amazon.com / Avery Guerra

Isn't it amazing how things always happen in 'threes'?

Here I was, about to post a quick little article about the new DVD art for Shout! Factory's upcoming Gamera releases, when I get a couple of emails from my buddy Avery Guerra about two more really cool DVDs that are set to be released later this Fall.

Not wanting to spend all day writing up a bunch of articles on these upcoming DVD releases I, like I generally do in these instances, opted to create one article that includes everything.

So here we go:

HOUSE OF THE WOLF MAN

Honestly I am a bit ashamed of the fact that, until about twenty minutes ago, I had never heard of this movie, which is a real shame because I would have loved to have written another article on it, and also because after watching the trailer (below) "House of the Wolf Man" is now on the top of my 'must have' DVD list.

Though filmed in 2009 this homage to the classic monster films from Universal, directed by Eben McGarr, has the look and feel as if it was filmed in the 1940s.

This one has it all, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, sexy dames, and a supporting cast of creepies that look as if they honestly stepped out of Hollywood's golden age of horror.

Oh, and most importantly, the film stars Ron Chaney, the son of Lon Chaney Jr., who played the Wolf Man in many of Universal's classics and the grandson of Lon Chaney, the legendary "Man of a Thousand Faces".

Rounding out the cast are John P. McGarr, Dustin Fitzsimons, Jeremie Loncka, Sara Raftery, Cheryl Rodes and Jim Thalman

The Plot:

Five strangers are invited to a castle under the pretense that one may inherit it. Little do they know what dangers await at the House of the Wolf Man.

Sounds like "House on Haunted Hill" meets "The Ghost of Frankenstein" ........ which is a good thing.

Look for "House of the Wolf Man" on DVD September 28th from Taurus Entertainment and Ryko Video.

After watching the trailer (at the bottom of this article) you will want to order this one from Amazon.com (Below)

GAMERA VS GYOAS / GAMERA VS VIRAS and GAMERA VS GIRON / GAMERA VS JIGER

Okay, this is what I originally set out to write about this morning.

As I reported last week, Shout! Factory will be releasing both the "Gamera Vs. Guiron" / "Gamera Vs. Jiger" (2 DVD Set) and the "Gamera Vs. Gyaos" / "Gamera Vs. Viras" (2 DVD Set) on September 21st.

Since that time the cover art for both of these Gamera DVD sets had been released, so I thought you might enjoy taking a look at them.

Speaking of Shout! Factory, and Gamera, kaiju know-it-all (and my friend) August Ragone will be heading a panel about Shout's two prior DVD releases, "Gamera Vs. Barugon" and "Gamera, The Giant Monster" tomorrow at noon at the San Diego Comic Con.

Here is the skinny:

Gamera, The Invincible!— Author August Ragone (Chronicle Books' Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters) presents a visual tribute to Godzilla's No. 1 rival, the original Mutant Flying Turtle himself: Gamera! This program celebrates the first official DVD release of the original 1960s-1970s film series from Shout! Factory, with commentary on how Gamera was created and how the films were made, as well as rare, behind-the-scenes photographs and clips. Find out if Gamera is really full of turtle meat in the Q&A and win copies of Shout!'s latest release Gamera vs. Barugon -- all in one colossal presentation guaranteed to knock you right out of your shell! Room 32AB

As luck would have it, I'm going to miss that one. My family has tickets for Friday, not Thursday.

As you can already assume, Amazon already has these two available for preorder:

Gamera Vs. Gyaos / Gamera Vs. Viras [Double Feature]DVD $17.99

Gamera Vs. Guiron / Gamera Vs. Jiger [Double Feature] DVD $17.99


DEMEKING, THE SEA MONSTER

Speaking of Japanese monster movies, here is one that didn't get much press, "Demeking, The Sea Monster".

Just like how "Gappa, The Monster From a Prehistoric Planet" really came from an island, not outer space, "Demking" hails from space, not from the sea.

Isn't amazing how American distributors always get these things wrong? Don't they even watch these movies before they give them an English title?

Anyway, Cinema Epoch will be releasing this one on DVD October 12th.

Here is the plot:

Set in a dreary port town in 1970, the story revolves around a group of boys led by the older Kameoka (Kohei Kiyasu) who form their own exploration group. One day Kameoka meets a strange man named Hachiya (Takeshi Nadagi) who works at the local amusement park. Hachiya is convinced a vision of the future he experienced is real, and one day he will have to fight a giant monster called Demeking to stop it from destroying Tokyo. When the time comes, Hachiya suddenly up and leaves. However, with the guidance of a note he leaves behind, Kameoka and his friends set off on an adventure to discover the true nature of Demeking.

sounds like a 'coming of age' story, but in actuality it is about a giant alien snail that comes to Earth to slime everything up ......... which is also a good thing.

You know, Amazon, buy now ..... blah, blah, blah....

No, Really, Buy Now From Amazon!

Okay, I went a little nuts there. It's been a long morning.

Here is that "House of the Wolf Man" trailer I promised you, plus some more promo pics from the film as well. Enjoy!

Starcrash And Gamera DVD News

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Amazon.com

While researching a DVD for a loyal MIN reader, I stumbled upon three upcoming DVD releases from Shout! Factory that will be of interest to many of you.

Though Shout! has not officially announced them yet, they will be releasing "Starcrash", "Gamera Vs. Guiron" / "Gamera Vs. Jiger" (2 DVD Set) and "Gamera Vs. Gyaos" / "Gamera Vs. Viras" (2 DVD Set) this September.

Since none of these DVDs have been officially announced, there are no details to report yet.

The Gamera DVDs have a tentative release date for September 21st while "Starcrash" will be falling to Earth a week earlier on September 14th.

Each of these can be preordered through Amazon:

Starcrash (Roger Corman Cult Classics) DVD $17.99

Gamera Vs. Gyaos / Gamera Vs. Viras [Double Feature]DVD $17.99

Gamera Vs. Guiron / Gamera Vs. Jiger [Double Feature] DVD $17.99

Here is an excerpt of my review of "Starcrash":

In a galaxy of neon colored stars, two would be space pirates, Stella Star and Arkton, are forced into a quest to find a secret weapon that could destroy the ruling galactic empire. Of course there is the evil Count Zarth Arn who uses his forces to thwart the two as they search for it. Thrown into the mix are a tribe of Amazons and a missing prince who was believed dead, but turns out to be very much alive. All mixed in together with over the top laser fights and girls running around in as little clothes as possible. Hardly the kind of film that would be considered "original."

See Also: B Movie Queen Caroline Monro To Make A Special UK Appearance / Starcrash (1979)

"Destroy All Planets 2010": The Case of the Missing DVD / "Destroy All Planets 2010" Controversy - Part II / DESTROY ALL PLANETS Possible Legal Issues - My Two Cents / Fight Over "Destroy All Planets" Rights Brewing / DESTROY ALL PLANETS Gets A DVD Release While No One Was Looking / Shout! Factory To Release Gamera Vs. Barugon DVD July 6th! / A Classic Movie Monster Comic Strip - The Monsters That Devoured Canarsie / Monster Uber Geekdome- Ultraman Collages, Playing Cards & Alien vs Pooh / Shout! Factory To Release Gamera DVD / Scientists Ready To Unleash "Gamera" And Giant Cows Upon Mankind / Showa Gamera Movies To Be Released By Shout Factory / ADV Films: Rest In Peace / Ayako Fujitani Returns To The Spotlight In Michel Gondry’s Interior Design / "Gamera The Brave" Box Art / Gamera The Brave Comes To DVD December 30th!

"Destroy All Planets 2010": The Case of the Missing DVD

"Destroy All Planets 2010": The Case of the Missing DVD

by Armand Vaquer

An alert fan discovered today that the Retromedia DVD, Destroy All Planets 2010 has "mysteriously vanished" from Amazon.com's website.

No doubt this may be due to the issues Ryan Clark and other fans raised pertaining to the rights issue at Amazon.com and several kaiju-oriented message boards.

This is probably a cautionary move on Amazon.com's part until the rights issues are resolved.

UPDATE: The DVD is still being offered at Amazon.com.

FOR THE RECORD: Kaiju historian August Ragone commented on several message boards about the rights issues. I had quoted him as he has the most knowledge on Japanese movie companies, DVD & screening rights and many other facets. As his comments are on several public message boards, I took the liberty in quoting him. Unfortunately, I should have given him a "head's up" first. It was not my intention to box him into the fray which may give someone the impression that this was an "August vs. Retromedia" situation. It wasn't. He also expressed that he'd like to also hear what Carl Craig has to say in his commentary. He was only speaking as a fan and not in any official (or otherwise) capacity with his role in Shout! Factory's Gamera releases. I apologize if that is the impression given.

Shout! Factory To Release Gamera Vs. Barugon DVD July 6th!

Source: Shout! Factory (Press Release)

Watch out Barugon, Gamera’s back this Summer!

GAMERA VS. BARUGON – SPECIAL EDITION
Presenting the North American DVD debut of the original Japanese version of the second GAMERA movie in anamorphic widescreen from a newly restored High-Definition master

SMASHING ONTO DVD ON JULY 6, 2010
FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

Returned from his exile into space, Gamera is the last survivor of a species of colossal chelonians, rumored to have originated 8,000 years ago from the lost continent of Atlantis. This titanic terrapin is feared by adults and loved by children.

Hot off the heel from the excitement of fan favorite Gamera, The Giant Monster – Special Edition DVD, Shout! Factory will unleash the second film in the original series, Gamera Vs. Barugon – Special Edition on July 6, 2010. The DVD contains a collectible reversible cover, a special booklet featuring an essay by actor Kojiro Hongo, audio commentary with August Ragone and Jason Varney, publicity galleries and widescreen presentation of the original movie from an all-new HD master and more! Packed with heart-pounding action and jaw-dropping fun, the collectible Gamera Vs. Barugon – Special Edition DVD is priced to own at $19.93.

Even though Japan's Self-Defense Forces sent Gamera hurtling into space in a giant rocket at the climax of Gamera: The Giant Monster, a stray meteor soon collides with his flying metal prison, freeing the ginormous turtle and allowing him to spin back to Earth. That sounds like it spells doom for Japan, but when another colossal creature named Barugon is awoken from an ancient slumber, all Hell breaks loose. And only Gamera can stop him.

After three greedy Japanese explorers steal a rare opal in New Guinea, not realizing that it is actually a monster egg, and unwittingly subject it to infrared radiation, it hatches and grows to immense size. Barugon is not simply bad because he's big: His elongated tongue, itself a deadly weapon, can emit a freezing spray, while he has the ability to shoot a deadly, laser-like rainbow from his back. And when our favorite fire-spitting Gamera becomes trapped in the creature’s frozen grip, mankind looks like it could be doomed. Can one of the explorers, Keisuke Hirata (Kojiro Hongo, Satan’s Sword), and a New Guinea native, Karen (Kyoko Enami, The Woman Gambler), help to defeat Barugon before it plunges Japan into a new Ice Age?

Gamera Vs. Barugon, the second entry in Daiei Studios’ monster series, was directed by veteran Shigeo Tanaka (The Great Wall) and is more lavish than the original in terms of scale and scope — it was shot in spectacular color! Noriaki Yuasa (Gamera, The Giant Monster) was charged with helming the visual effects for this outing, and the results are fantastic!

The original films have woefully been underrepresented on DVD, especially releases featuring the authentic Japanese versions. Shout! Factory, in association with Kadokawa Pictures, will continue to present Gamera Special Edition home entertainment releases in North America. Upcoming highlights include Gamera Vs. Gyas, Gamera Vs. Viras, Gamera Vs. Guillon, Gamera Vs. Jiger, among others.

See Also: A Classic Movie Monster Comic Strip - The Monsters That Devoured Canarsie / Monster Uber Geekdome- Ultraman Collages, Playing Cards & Alien vs Pooh / Shout! Factory To Release Gamera DVD / Scientists Ready To Unleash "Gamera" And Giant Cows Upon Mankind / Showa Gamera Movies To Be Released By Shout Factory / ADV Films: Rest In Peace / Ayako Fujitani Returns To The Spotlight In Michel Gondry’s Interior Design / "Gamera The Brave" Box Art / Gamera The Brave Comes To DVD December 30th!