So dear reader, it is officially 50 days until Halloween, the most wonderful time of the spear. I mean year of course. We at FRONT ROW have sat down and put together a list of 50 Blu Rays that you could watch on the big day. But to make it ever more interesting, we have tried to do three different things. The first is to highlight lesser know films, the second is to do them in a double feature (as we watch two to celebrate on the night itself!) and the third is to tell you what to watch out for in the films! So we hope you enjoy are selection and maybe find something worth watching!
50 – IN THE COLD OF NIGHT (88 FILMS)
WHATS IT ABOUT?
When fashion photographer Scott Bruin (Jeff Lester Cult star galore) keeps having the same murderous nightmare, he begins to worry. When he meets Kimberly (Adrianne Sachs), the same beautiful woman he is murdering, in real life, he is convinced he might already have done so. Her mother (Tippi Hedren with a delightful BIRDS nod) isn’t convinced, neither is his shrink (David Soul). But something has to give. Not just their clothes.
WHY SHOULD WE WATCH IT FOR HALLOWEEN?
The first of our double bill of films about, well people that see into the future, is so much fun that it will set up an easy Halloween. Niko Mastorakis (ISLAND OF DEATH / HIRED TO KILL) lands a rather sophisticated one, two here. He is famed for both outlandish films (The aforementioned ISLAND OF DEATH has a goat rape scene in it) but also excellent action films like THE ZERO BOYS. The plot of IN THE COLD OF THE NIGHT is frankly bonkers. But its a must watch for an easier experience and build up to the main event.
WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR?
The new 4K remaster might not overcome some of the ropey footage or that terrible crowbarred in drinking on the beach scene, but it does make some of the nightmares scenes colours richer. The thing we really liked is Film Journalists Dave Wain and Matty Budrewicz commentary. Both serious and sardonic in tone, they get the fact it works, in the kind of way any absurd film does, by not taking itself too seriously.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Limited Edition “Soft-Touch” O-Ring Slipcase [First Pressing Only]
Set of 4 Collectible Post Cards [First Pressing Only]
High Definition Blu-ray Presentation (1080p) in Original 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
New 4K Master from the Original 35mm Camera Negative
Remixed 5.1 DTS-HD MA Soundtrack
Original LPCM Stereo Soundtrack
Optional English SDH Subtitles
Audio Commentary by Film Journalists Dave Wain and Matty Budrewicz
Archive behind-the-scenes featurette
Archival Image Gallery
Original Theatrical Trailer
Reversible Sleeve
https://88-films.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/in-the-cold-of-the-night
49 – THE PSYCHIC (SHAMELESS SCREEN ENTERTAINMENT)
WHATS IT ABOUT?
Virginia (Jennifer O’Niell) has moved to Italy with her new husband. Since childhood, a psychic power has traumatise her. Flashbacks trouble her waking hours. New bouts of horrific visions have her traumatised further still. She cant work out why she dreams of death, walls, people buried inside them, blood and the dark. Moving to Italy should change her life, it may give her freedom and may even stop the terrible fears from taking over her hopes. A new home, one that has been handed down to her husband and on to his children, could be the trigger for this future free of waking nightmares. When she meets a psychologist who explores her fears, this seems to make her visions darker. Then to discover that they’re premonitions of deaths are true.
WHY SHOULD WE WATCH IT FOR HALLOWEEN?
From the easy start of IN THE COLD OF THE NIGHT, to the darkness of the godfather of gores Lucio Fulci excellent giallo THE PSYCHIC. Pointedly attacking the audience and asking us some very difficult questions about our expectations, this is a film which made me and many others, very uneasy indeed! It is the perfect shocker for a Halloween that might be needing a jolt to stay the calm.
WHAT SHOULD WE LOOK OUT FOR?
Well direction is key here. The extras are all lovely but Antonella Fulci talking about her long dead father, leads down some interesting alleyways indeed. Now this is not for everyone and that means only really film lovers will connect but I would say, get it in the viewing experience post screening to answer any lingering questions (and maybe quell the nightmares!)
Extras:
‘TOUCHING FATE’ – A new exclusive interview of Antonella Fulci about ‘The Psychic’
‘DADDY DEAREST’ – An interview with Antonella Fulci about her father Lucio Fulci
Restoration process for the Psychic – showing different stages
‘ESCAPE FROM DOOM’ – An interview with writer Dardano Sacchetti on working with Fulci
‘BEHIND THE WALL’ – An interview with Fabio Frizzi on scoring The Psychic (the music later used by Tarantino)
https://www.shameless-films.com/product/the-psychic-blu-ray/
