Random DVD and Blu-ray announcements

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April 12, 2016

Mike Nichols' Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) from Warner Archive



Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) - Amazon

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April 12, 2016

Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion (1941) from Warner Archive



Suspicion (1941) - Amazon

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June 7, 2016

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953) on blu-ray from Mill Creek



Ted Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, wrote and helped design this eccentric fantasy about a young boy named Bart who, like most young boys, doesn't enjoy his piano lessons with the mean-spirited Dr. Terwilliker. He figures his time would be better spent playing baseball with his friends or helping his grown-up buddy Arthur Zabladowski, a plumber. One night, while fast asleep, Bart has a long and remarkable dream in which he's trapped in the kingdom of the fearsome Dr. T, who has enslaved hundreds of little boys, forcing them to practice on the world's largest piano until they drop. With the help of a friendly plumber, Bart plans a revolt that will topple Dr. T's evil empire once and for all.

The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953) - Amazon

This movie scared the absolute living fuck out of me as a 4 year old kid.

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Masters of Cinema's slate for the rest of the year

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2016 TBD

Dark Passage (1947) from Warner Archive



A man convicted of murdering his wife escapes from prison and works with a woman to try and prove his innocence.

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December 2015 TBD

Louis Malle's Atlantic City (1980) from Gaumont (France)

Release date now May 27, 2016

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October 25, 2016

Joe Sarno's Sin You Sinners (1963) and Vampire Ecstasy (1973) on blu-ray from Film Movement



Vampire Ecstasy (1973) / Sin You Sinners (1963) - Amazon


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An aging exotic dancer uses occult forces in the shape of a magic amulet to maintain her youth and beauty. Discovering her secret, her jealous daughter and employer hatch plots to steal the amulet for themselves. When the amulet goes missing, it sets off a chain of events ending in murder.

Three beautiful young women arrive at a grim and secluded castle, eager to claim their inheritance. In the castle basement, a coven of witches dance in a wild ritual, invoking the spirit of their deceased vampire leader. That same night, a brother and sister arrive, warning of the castle's evil curse. But too soon they also fall under the witches' spell, and the stage is set for the return of the Baroness Varga, for the vessel has been chosen!

The label has also confirmed that the upcoming release will be the first in a planned series that will comprise the largest collection of Joseph Sarno films under one label. Contributing to the series are Tim Lucas, noted film critic and editor of Video Watchdog, who will provide liner notes; and Joe's widow Peggy Steffans Sarno, who will provide context and invaluable insight into Joe's process.

ABOUT THE JOSEPH W. SARNO FILM LIBRARY

The Joseph W. Sarno Film Library – the Film Media Archive currently includes the largest collection of films by erotic auteur Joseph W. Sarno. Restoration of the library to high definition media is scheduled to begin Spring of 2016, and will be managed by Michael Raso with assistance from Joe's widow, Peggy Sarno.

About Joseph W. Sarno (d. 2010) – an American film director and screenwriter, Joe Sarno emerged from the New York sexploitation film scene of the 1950s and 1960s and wrote / directed approximately 75 feature films including the internationally renowned Sin in the Suburbs and Inga. Often referred to as "the Ingmar Bergman of 42nd street", the last 12 years of Joe's life heralded a new appreciation for his body of nuanced and highly stylized erotic dramas, culminating in a series of screenings and awards at the Lake Placid Film Festival, the British Film Institute, the Turin Film Festival and the Warhol Museum among others. It was during this time that Joe Sarno and Michael Raso forged the close working relationship that would result in the location, purchase, and restoration of many of his existing films, and the production of Joe's final feature film in 2004.

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Symptoms Trailer (restored)

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June 13, 2016

Peter Watkins' Edvard Munch (1974) on blu-ray from Masters of Cinema



Described by Ingmar Bergman as "a work of genius", Peter Watkins' multi-faceted masterwork is more than just a biopic of the iconic Norwegian Expressionist painter; it is one of the best films ever made about the artistic process. Focusing initially on Munch's formative years in late 19th century Kristiania (now Oslo), Watkins uses his trademark vérité style to create a vivid picture of the emotional, political, and social upheavals that would have such an effect on his art.

The young artist (Geir Westby) has an affair with "Mrs. Heiberg" (Gro Fraas), a devastating experience that will haunt him for the rest of his life. His work is viciously attacked by critics and public alike and he is forced to leave his home country for Berlin, where, along with the notorious Swedish playwright August Strindberg, he becomes part of the cultural storm that is to sweep Europe.

September 13, 2016

Road House (1948) on blu-ray from Kino

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May 31, 2016

Psychic Killer (1975) from Vinegar Syndrome



A former mental patient uses astral projection to destroy the people he believes have wronged him.

Psychic Killer (1975) - Amazon

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April 19, 2016

Forbidden Hollywood Vol. 10 on DVD from Warner Archive



Forbidden Hollywood Vol. 10 - Amazon

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October 18, 2016

The Laughing Policeman (1973) on blu-ray from Kino



Stuart Rosenberg's taut police thriller, based on the Martin Beck novel by Maj Sjowall and Per Wahlöö, concerns a serial killer who is targeting bus riders. When a bus full of innocent commuters are killed on a San Francisco street, Jake Martin (Walter Matthau) is assigned to track down the killer. Jake has a personal stake in the killings because his partner was one of the victims. Teamed up with new partner Leo Larsen (Bruce Dern), Jake investigates the back alleys of San Francisco to find the serial killer. The trail leads to a tour of the underbelly of the city's gay subculture.   

The Laughing Policeman (1973) - Amazon

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November 2016 TBD



In a totalitarian society of the future, in which the government controls all facets of the media, a homicide detective investigates a string of bombings, and finds out more than he bargained for.

Film Movement's super cool trailer for Wolf Gremm's Kamikaze '89 (1982), to be released on blu-ray later this year.

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July 19, 2016

Danny DeVito's The Ratings Game (1984) from Olive Films



A New Jersey trucker creates a hit TV show with help from his girlfriend in the ratings business.

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Another unbelievable, was-never-going-to-happen announcement. Everything is on the table, now. I love the cinematography in this film.

Fall 2016 TBD

Francis Delia's Freeway (1988) on blu-ray from Kino



There are 600 miles of freeway in Los Angeles. Every night, millions of angry motorists speed through its asphalt maze. Some of them have guns. One of them enjoys killing people. Now a traumatized ER nurse (Darlanne Fluegel of Crime Story), an acerbic talk-radio host (Richard Belzer of Homicide and Law & Order: SVU) and a stranger with a dark secret (James Russo of Donnie Brasco) must join to stop the bible-quoting madman (Billy Drago of The Untouchables) who has promised the panicked city one final fast lane massacre. Michael Callan, Kenneth Tobey and Clint Howard co-star in this suspense thriller directed by Francis Delia that shocked audiences at the height of LA's real-life freeway shooting sprees.