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Synapse Collector’s Edition of Dario Argento’s PHENOMENA: Phenomenal!

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If there’s been one saving grace to the home video market, it’s been boutique and collector’s releases of usually cult or genre films. Scream Factory, Vestron, and Grindhouse Releasing have been at the forefront with a variety of titles, but Synapse Films has certainly been giving them a run with their limited edition, blu-ray, steel book collector’s editions. Previous releases including DEMONS, DEMONS 2, and TENEBRE at limited qualities of 3,000 units. Needless to say, when I heard they were doing a collector’s edition of my personal favorite Dario Argento movie, PHENOMENA, I had to look into it!

PHENOMENA was Argento’s cinematic return post-TENEBRE and in many ways served as a distillation of his works. The forboding fantasy and female gaze of SUSPIRIA and INFERNO, the giallo murder mystery of DEEP RED and TENEBRE, and the animal focus of FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET and THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE. It is a chimera of all of Argento’s signatures in one story. Though not his most well regarded of his filmography, it still holds a special place for many fans.

The plot follows young Jennifer Corvino (Played by pre-Labyrinth Jennifer Connelly), who has been sent to a Swiss boarding school for girls following her parent’s separation. She suffers from sleepwalking and the uncanny ability to communicate with insects… which leads her to accidentally witnessing one of her peers being murdered by a serial killer stalking the Alps! Now, with the assistance of the kindly, wheelchair bound, entomologist John McGregor, (Played by Donald Pleasance!) his helper monkey, and the insect world, she must find out the true identity of the killer before she too is silenced.

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It’s a strange story, sure, but what Argento movie isn’t? And all that strangeness creates that wonderful surreality that is common to Argento.

The Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray comes with three discs with three separate cuts of the movie on two blu-rays and the soundtrack on a CD. The first is a brand new 116 minute version remix of the international 110 minute version created in-house by Synapse. Making it the longest cut of PHENOMENA yet! The 110 minute international version is also included, as well as the heavily cut American version that was released under the alternate title of CREEPERS. All versions have merit in their own right… though CREEPERS isn’t quite as fun due to being so deeply edited.

The transfers on all versions are simply astounding. Every cut in crystal clear clarity high definition. Quality so high that after showing the release to a friend, he actually thought it could have been a movie from last year! Synapse truly outdid themselves with this one, the sound quality being equally top-notch. As per usual, they have delivered nothing short but the best from a technical standpoint.

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The special features are few, but well made. First off, there’s a full-length, vintage Dario Argento documentary DARIO ARGENTO’S WORLD OF HORROR which covers the productions of the horror maestro’s work from the late 70’s up through PHENOMENA. As well as commentary from Argento scholar and author of The Argento Syndrome, Derek Botelho along with film historian David Del Valle for further insight into the mind of the director. Aside from that, there’s a candid interview with one o the musicians behind the soundtrack, Andi Sex Gang, and trailers/radio spots. One of the best inclusions is a complete soundtrack CD that contains 16 tracks from GOBLIN as well as 4 from Andi sex Gang and Simon Boswell, creating the most definitive release of the haunting soundtrack yet! Lastly, the release comes with a comprehensive booklet featuring commentary on the film and production by writer Michael Gingold, former New Line Cinema publicist Gary Hertz, and technical specific notes from disc co-producer Vincent Pereira on the hard work that went into this release.

While lacking a few memorable special features from the Anchor Bay DVD release from 2008 such as Argento’s own commentary and some making of features, this is by far the most definitive release of PHENOMENA yet. Most especially on the technical quality front. Were m y TV any larger, it’d be like seeing it back in the cinema! I would highly recommend this Collector’s Edition to any fan of PHENOMENA, Argento, or just really crazy and fun horror.

The Collector’s Edition is available on Synapse and Diabolik DVD, buy fast, as there’s only 3,000 units in existence!

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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