Panzram
06-13-2004, 02:47 PM
Summer is almost officially here, and it’s time to start making plans for road trips to drive-ins. Though once you could easily find a drive-in theater nearby, now many of them have disappeared, and those of us that enjoy watching movies under the stars as God intended sometimes have to travel pretty far to get to one. The best – and oldest – I’ve ever been to is the Star-Vue Double in Eastern Kentucky, which has been in operation since 1945!
To our youngest readers, watching movies in a car means a DVD player in mom & pop’s SUV. Oi vey! Drive-In theaters can be located via various websites, but some of them haven’t been updated in a while. I invite readers to write in [DVDShoppingList@cinescape.com] and let me know about any drive-ins still in operation near you. The rest of you I urge to seek one out for the experience of a lifetime. Or at least prop up your TV in an open window and set up chairs in the yard.
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
This week, Warner Bros. opens their vaults to bring us the adventures of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ famous hero, originally under the custodianship of MGM.
(O) THE TARZAN COLLECTION (Warner Bros.) Four-disc set collects the first six films in the classic MGM movie series starring Johnny Weismuller: TARZAN THE APE MAN, TARZAN & HIS MATE, TARZAN ESCAPES, TARZAN FINDS A SON, TARZAN’S SECRET TREASURE and TARZAN’S NEW YORK ADVENTURE, plus a special Ape Man documentary, clips from the Tarzan parody in HOLLYWOOD PARTY, shorts and more.
(O) TARZAN THE APE MAN (Warner Bros.) Incredibly horrible 1981 remake starring Miles O’Keefe and Bo Derek. An anti-action camp classic.
(O) GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (Warner Bros.) 1984 attempt to bring Merchant-Ivory style class to the pulp legend made a star out of Christopher Lambert. Includes director commentrak.
NEW RELEASES
(O) THE A-TEAM: Season 1 (Universal) An outlaw commando unit fights crime.
(O) BAD KIDS BOX (Image) Five-disc set of 10 juvenile delinquent classics from the vaults of Something Weird Video, including WILD GUITAR / THE CHOPPERS, TEENAGE GANG DEBS / TEENAGE STRANGLER, THE VIOLENT YEARS / GIRL GANG, JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT / BLAST OFF GIRLS, and LOST LONELY & VICIOUS / JACKTOWN. All come with a trunkfull of extras. Dig?
(O) THE BONDAGE MASTER (Central Park) Kinky Japanese thriller in which a bondage master is framed for murder using his own rope tricks.
(O) THE BUNKER (MTI/Redrum) Horror
THE BUNKER.
© MTI/Redrum
stalks a platoon of Nazi soldiers. Includes director commentrak, Making-Of, deleted scenes, shorts and more.
(O) COUNTESS DRACULA’S ORGY OF BLOOD (Retromedia) Don Glut follows up on his EROTIC RITES OF COUNTESS DRACULA with this new sexy horror comedy, which features Eurohorror legend Paul Naschy in his first American film and pin-up favorite Glori-Anne Gilbert. Includes commentrak, bloopers, outtakes and more.
(O) THE CREEPING FLESH (Columbia TriStar) Creepy 1973 British horror in which Peter Cushing discovers the skeleton of an ancient demon, which his scheming brother Christopher Lee tries to steal, unleashing horror aplenty.
(O) DARK FORCES (Image) Odd Australian horror in which a mysterious man worms his way into the household of senator Broderick Crawford. Includes director commentrak.
(O) THE DEAD ZONE: Complete Second Season (Lions Gate) Includes commentraks, Making-Of, deleted scenes and storyboards.
(O) DUBBED & DANGEROUS (Crash) Feature collection of kung fu comedy featurettes directed by and starring Iranian-born Ara Paiaya, the greatest martial arts movies ever made in Scotland!
(O) FANGORIA BLOOD DRIVE (Koch) Cinescape’s magazine rack-rival sponsored a short film competition, and here are the seven winners, hosted by Rob Zombie, plus behind-the-scenes footage with Clive Barker and Stan Winston.
(O) FIELD OF DREAMS (Universal) Anniversary edition of this heartwarming drama about a farmer who builds a supernatural baseball field. Includes commentraks, deleted scenes, featurettes and more. Widescreen and fullscreen editions.
(O) FREAKS & DEVIANTS (Tempe) Early Tempe horror three-pack includes DEAD & ROTTING, SKINNED ALIVE and TOWNIES.
(O) LONE WOLF & CUB 4: Baby Cart in Peril (AnimEigo) The Lone Wolf faces a deadly assassin that distracts her opponents with her tattooed breasts!
(O) LONE WOLF & CUB 5: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons (AnimEigo) Itto Ogami must pass five tests in order to earn an assassination assignment.
(O) M*A*S*H Season Six (Fox)
(O) MERLIN (Lions Gate) Stars like John Geilgud, Rutger Hauer, Helena Bonham Carter, James Earl Jones, Isabella Rosellini, and Martin Short cavort in costumes for this 1998 fantasy TV-movie. Includes director commentrak, Making-Of, music video and more.
(O) PARAMEDICS Volumes 1-3 (Brain Damage) Gruesome combination of COPS and Highway Safety Films follows EMPs to bloody accidents and crime scenes.
(O) PHANTOM OF DEATH TRIPLE FEATURE (Retromedia) Trio of 1940s B-movie mysteries, all with the same word in the title: PHANTOM OF 42nd STREET, PHANTOM KILLER and PHANTOM OF CHINATOWN.
(O) THE PRESIDENT’S ANALYST (Paramount) Truly twisted must-see 1967 comedy with James Coburn as a shrink hired by the White House who is threatened by spies from all sides.
(O) QUANTUM LEAP: Season One (Universal)
QUANTUM LEAP: Season One.
© Universal
Scott Bakula stars as a guy who only lives inside the bodies of others, at any point in time. Includes retrospective featurette and trivia quizzes.
(O) RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS / THE MAGIC SERPENT (Retromedia) One of the better giant turtle movies (aka GAMERA VS. GAOS), paired with a rare Japanese fantasy adventure that ends in a duel of huge beasties.
(O) ROBOCOP TRILOGY (MGM) Sequels featuring the New Face of Law Enforcement are polished up and set loose from the vaults once again. Also available in a snazzy three-disc box set with the extended edition of ROBOCOP. Stay out of trouble.
(O) SCTV Volume 1: Network 90 (Shout Factory) The first nine episodes of the landmark comedy series in its 90-minute format on NBC in 1981. Plus interviews, featurettes, a 1999 reunion show, and more.
(O) SPELLS & SLASHERS (Tempe) Three-pack set includes HELL ASYLUM, BLOODLETTING, and WITCHHOUSE 3: DEMONFIRE.
(O) ZATOICHI AT LARGE (AnimEigo) 1972 entry in the long running blind swordsman series starring Shintao Katsu finds Ichi once again trying to find a home for an orphaned infant.
ANIME ADDITIONS
And finally, we close off each weekly list with a rundown of the constant stream of anime from around the world:
(O) ANGEL TALES Volume 1: Sweet Transmigration (Bandai) An unlucky loser suddenly finds three beauties in his room. Also available in collectors box that includes 2 Angel plushies
(O) AURA BATTLER DUNBINE Volume 6: Battlers of Byston Well (ADV) More golden age Japanese anime.
(O) AZUMANGA DAIOH Volume 2: Festivals! (ADV) Hit high school comedy.
(O) BEYBLADE Volume 9: Russian Challenges (Geneon) Five episodes, plus US TV and toy promos.
(O) BLACK JACK: Incubation (Central Park) More adventures of Osamu Tezuka’s outlaw surgeon.
(O) DOMAIN OF MURDER (Central Park) On a routine case, PI Goro crosses paths with a psycho killer.
(O) GRRL POWER (ADV) Three girls open an odd jobs business. One is deaf and uses sign language, but you won’t be able to understand her unless you know sign. And Japanese. Or read the English subtitles. Contains commentrak, interviews, and code number that’s good for a free manga sampler book for the first 500 applicants.
(O) HAPPY LESSON OVA: Mama Mia! (ADV) Three expanded episodes from the hit series.
(O) INFINITE RYVIUS Volume 5: Retribution (Bandai) Enraged Ikumi demands cooperation or threatens to destroy them all. From the popular creative team of S-CRY-ED. Includes pencil board.
(O) KAZE NO YOJIMBO: Small Town Secrets (Bandai) TV series based on the Kurosawa film classic. Includes mini anime cel.
(O) LAST EXILE Volume 4: Breakthrough (Geneon) Includes a featurettes on a Tokyo EXILE exhibition.
(O) MACHINE ROBO Volume 3: Revenge of Cronos (Central Park) A robot warrior comes home and tries to make peace.
(O) MASTER KEATON Volume 7: Life & Death (Geneon)
MASTER KEATON Volume 7: Life & Death.
© Geneon
Keaton tracks trouble in Japan and Europe, plus an adventure of Keaton’s daughter.
(O) PANYO PANGO DI GI CHARAT Volume 1: Nyo! (ADV) Is it the adventures of a little princess who wants to make everyone happy, or my new meditation chant?
(O) SAILOR MOON S: Heart Collection 5 (Geneon) 6 episodes.
(O) THE SOULTAKER Volume 1: The Monster Within (Geneon) When a teenager is stabbed by his mom, he learns that his past is a lie, and he fights mutants by transforming into the powerful SoulTaker while searching for his lost sister.
(O) SPIRIT WARRIOR: A Harvest of Cherry Blossoms (Central Park) An actress is possessed by a demon.
(O) SPIRIT WARRIOR DVD Collection (Central Park) An amnesiac demon-killer tries to control his super powers. The entire five-part series in a box set, with director Rintaro commentrak on parts one and two.
(O) STEEL ANGEL KURUMI Complete Collection (ADV) Seven-disc set includes all things KURUMI: both TV series, the OVA coda, commentrak, featurettes, interviews, and bonus mini comic.
(O) SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS TV Volume 7 (AnimEigo) Episodes 25-28.
(O) SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS TV Volume 8 (AnimEigo) Episodes 29-32.
(O) SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS TV Volume 9 (AnimEigo) Episodes 33-36.
(O) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: Secret Origins (Funimation) Plus part five of "Turtles in Space".
(O) TENCHI IN TOKYO Volume 3: A New Legend (Geneon) Episodes 8-10.
(O) TRIGUN 5: Angel Arms (Geneon) Episodes 14-16.
(O) URUSEI YATSURA MOVIE 2: Beautiful Dreamer (Central Park) This second Lum feature somehow didn’t end up in the hands of AnimEigo, UY’s usual home, but Central Park Media does a good job with it, including a director commentrak by Mamoru Oshii (PATLABOR).
(O) WITCH HUNTER ROBIN: Determination (Bandai) With voice dubber interviews. As seen on Cartoon Network.
To our youngest readers, watching movies in a car means a DVD player in mom & pop’s SUV. Oi vey! Drive-In theaters can be located via various websites, but some of them haven’t been updated in a while. I invite readers to write in [DVDShoppingList@cinescape.com] and let me know about any drive-ins still in operation near you. The rest of you I urge to seek one out for the experience of a lifetime. Or at least prop up your TV in an open window and set up chairs in the yard.
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
This week, Warner Bros. opens their vaults to bring us the adventures of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ famous hero, originally under the custodianship of MGM.
(O) THE TARZAN COLLECTION (Warner Bros.) Four-disc set collects the first six films in the classic MGM movie series starring Johnny Weismuller: TARZAN THE APE MAN, TARZAN & HIS MATE, TARZAN ESCAPES, TARZAN FINDS A SON, TARZAN’S SECRET TREASURE and TARZAN’S NEW YORK ADVENTURE, plus a special Ape Man documentary, clips from the Tarzan parody in HOLLYWOOD PARTY, shorts and more.
(O) TARZAN THE APE MAN (Warner Bros.) Incredibly horrible 1981 remake starring Miles O’Keefe and Bo Derek. An anti-action camp classic.
(O) GREYSTOKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN (Warner Bros.) 1984 attempt to bring Merchant-Ivory style class to the pulp legend made a star out of Christopher Lambert. Includes director commentrak.
NEW RELEASES
(O) THE A-TEAM: Season 1 (Universal) An outlaw commando unit fights crime.
(O) BAD KIDS BOX (Image) Five-disc set of 10 juvenile delinquent classics from the vaults of Something Weird Video, including WILD GUITAR / THE CHOPPERS, TEENAGE GANG DEBS / TEENAGE STRANGLER, THE VIOLENT YEARS / GIRL GANG, JUST FOR THE HELL OF IT / BLAST OFF GIRLS, and LOST LONELY & VICIOUS / JACKTOWN. All come with a trunkfull of extras. Dig?
(O) THE BONDAGE MASTER (Central Park) Kinky Japanese thriller in which a bondage master is framed for murder using his own rope tricks.
(O) THE BUNKER (MTI/Redrum) Horror
THE BUNKER.
© MTI/Redrum
stalks a platoon of Nazi soldiers. Includes director commentrak, Making-Of, deleted scenes, shorts and more.
(O) COUNTESS DRACULA’S ORGY OF BLOOD (Retromedia) Don Glut follows up on his EROTIC RITES OF COUNTESS DRACULA with this new sexy horror comedy, which features Eurohorror legend Paul Naschy in his first American film and pin-up favorite Glori-Anne Gilbert. Includes commentrak, bloopers, outtakes and more.
(O) THE CREEPING FLESH (Columbia TriStar) Creepy 1973 British horror in which Peter Cushing discovers the skeleton of an ancient demon, which his scheming brother Christopher Lee tries to steal, unleashing horror aplenty.
(O) DARK FORCES (Image) Odd Australian horror in which a mysterious man worms his way into the household of senator Broderick Crawford. Includes director commentrak.
(O) THE DEAD ZONE: Complete Second Season (Lions Gate) Includes commentraks, Making-Of, deleted scenes and storyboards.
(O) DUBBED & DANGEROUS (Crash) Feature collection of kung fu comedy featurettes directed by and starring Iranian-born Ara Paiaya, the greatest martial arts movies ever made in Scotland!
(O) FANGORIA BLOOD DRIVE (Koch) Cinescape’s magazine rack-rival sponsored a short film competition, and here are the seven winners, hosted by Rob Zombie, plus behind-the-scenes footage with Clive Barker and Stan Winston.
(O) FIELD OF DREAMS (Universal) Anniversary edition of this heartwarming drama about a farmer who builds a supernatural baseball field. Includes commentraks, deleted scenes, featurettes and more. Widescreen and fullscreen editions.
(O) FREAKS & DEVIANTS (Tempe) Early Tempe horror three-pack includes DEAD & ROTTING, SKINNED ALIVE and TOWNIES.
(O) LONE WOLF & CUB 4: Baby Cart in Peril (AnimEigo) The Lone Wolf faces a deadly assassin that distracts her opponents with her tattooed breasts!
(O) LONE WOLF & CUB 5: Baby Cart in the Land of Demons (AnimEigo) Itto Ogami must pass five tests in order to earn an assassination assignment.
(O) M*A*S*H Season Six (Fox)
(O) MERLIN (Lions Gate) Stars like John Geilgud, Rutger Hauer, Helena Bonham Carter, James Earl Jones, Isabella Rosellini, and Martin Short cavort in costumes for this 1998 fantasy TV-movie. Includes director commentrak, Making-Of, music video and more.
(O) PARAMEDICS Volumes 1-3 (Brain Damage) Gruesome combination of COPS and Highway Safety Films follows EMPs to bloody accidents and crime scenes.
(O) PHANTOM OF DEATH TRIPLE FEATURE (Retromedia) Trio of 1940s B-movie mysteries, all with the same word in the title: PHANTOM OF 42nd STREET, PHANTOM KILLER and PHANTOM OF CHINATOWN.
(O) THE PRESIDENT’S ANALYST (Paramount) Truly twisted must-see 1967 comedy with James Coburn as a shrink hired by the White House who is threatened by spies from all sides.
(O) QUANTUM LEAP: Season One (Universal)
QUANTUM LEAP: Season One.
© Universal
Scott Bakula stars as a guy who only lives inside the bodies of others, at any point in time. Includes retrospective featurette and trivia quizzes.
(O) RETURN OF THE GIANT MONSTERS / THE MAGIC SERPENT (Retromedia) One of the better giant turtle movies (aka GAMERA VS. GAOS), paired with a rare Japanese fantasy adventure that ends in a duel of huge beasties.
(O) ROBOCOP TRILOGY (MGM) Sequels featuring the New Face of Law Enforcement are polished up and set loose from the vaults once again. Also available in a snazzy three-disc box set with the extended edition of ROBOCOP. Stay out of trouble.
(O) SCTV Volume 1: Network 90 (Shout Factory) The first nine episodes of the landmark comedy series in its 90-minute format on NBC in 1981. Plus interviews, featurettes, a 1999 reunion show, and more.
(O) SPELLS & SLASHERS (Tempe) Three-pack set includes HELL ASYLUM, BLOODLETTING, and WITCHHOUSE 3: DEMONFIRE.
(O) ZATOICHI AT LARGE (AnimEigo) 1972 entry in the long running blind swordsman series starring Shintao Katsu finds Ichi once again trying to find a home for an orphaned infant.
ANIME ADDITIONS
And finally, we close off each weekly list with a rundown of the constant stream of anime from around the world:
(O) ANGEL TALES Volume 1: Sweet Transmigration (Bandai) An unlucky loser suddenly finds three beauties in his room. Also available in collectors box that includes 2 Angel plushies
(O) AURA BATTLER DUNBINE Volume 6: Battlers of Byston Well (ADV) More golden age Japanese anime.
(O) AZUMANGA DAIOH Volume 2: Festivals! (ADV) Hit high school comedy.
(O) BEYBLADE Volume 9: Russian Challenges (Geneon) Five episodes, plus US TV and toy promos.
(O) BLACK JACK: Incubation (Central Park) More adventures of Osamu Tezuka’s outlaw surgeon.
(O) DOMAIN OF MURDER (Central Park) On a routine case, PI Goro crosses paths with a psycho killer.
(O) GRRL POWER (ADV) Three girls open an odd jobs business. One is deaf and uses sign language, but you won’t be able to understand her unless you know sign. And Japanese. Or read the English subtitles. Contains commentrak, interviews, and code number that’s good for a free manga sampler book for the first 500 applicants.
(O) HAPPY LESSON OVA: Mama Mia! (ADV) Three expanded episodes from the hit series.
(O) INFINITE RYVIUS Volume 5: Retribution (Bandai) Enraged Ikumi demands cooperation or threatens to destroy them all. From the popular creative team of S-CRY-ED. Includes pencil board.
(O) KAZE NO YOJIMBO: Small Town Secrets (Bandai) TV series based on the Kurosawa film classic. Includes mini anime cel.
(O) LAST EXILE Volume 4: Breakthrough (Geneon) Includes a featurettes on a Tokyo EXILE exhibition.
(O) MACHINE ROBO Volume 3: Revenge of Cronos (Central Park) A robot warrior comes home and tries to make peace.
(O) MASTER KEATON Volume 7: Life & Death (Geneon)
MASTER KEATON Volume 7: Life & Death.
© Geneon
Keaton tracks trouble in Japan and Europe, plus an adventure of Keaton’s daughter.
(O) PANYO PANGO DI GI CHARAT Volume 1: Nyo! (ADV) Is it the adventures of a little princess who wants to make everyone happy, or my new meditation chant?
(O) SAILOR MOON S: Heart Collection 5 (Geneon) 6 episodes.
(O) THE SOULTAKER Volume 1: The Monster Within (Geneon) When a teenager is stabbed by his mom, he learns that his past is a lie, and he fights mutants by transforming into the powerful SoulTaker while searching for his lost sister.
(O) SPIRIT WARRIOR: A Harvest of Cherry Blossoms (Central Park) An actress is possessed by a demon.
(O) SPIRIT WARRIOR DVD Collection (Central Park) An amnesiac demon-killer tries to control his super powers. The entire five-part series in a box set, with director Rintaro commentrak on parts one and two.
(O) STEEL ANGEL KURUMI Complete Collection (ADV) Seven-disc set includes all things KURUMI: both TV series, the OVA coda, commentrak, featurettes, interviews, and bonus mini comic.
(O) SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS TV Volume 7 (AnimEigo) Episodes 25-28.
(O) SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS TV Volume 8 (AnimEigo) Episodes 29-32.
(O) SUPER DIMENSION FORTRESS MACROSS TV Volume 9 (AnimEigo) Episodes 33-36.
(O) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: Secret Origins (Funimation) Plus part five of "Turtles in Space".
(O) TENCHI IN TOKYO Volume 3: A New Legend (Geneon) Episodes 8-10.
(O) TRIGUN 5: Angel Arms (Geneon) Episodes 14-16.
(O) URUSEI YATSURA MOVIE 2: Beautiful Dreamer (Central Park) This second Lum feature somehow didn’t end up in the hands of AnimEigo, UY’s usual home, but Central Park Media does a good job with it, including a director commentrak by Mamoru Oshii (PATLABOR).
(O) WITCH HUNTER ROBIN: Determination (Bandai) With voice dubber interviews. As seen on Cartoon Network.