One of the joys of DVD is that it’s a much less cumbersome and expensive format than VHS, meaning that lower unit sales are required to break even and go into profit. This allows fannish companies to come into existence, run by people who are actually interested in the films they release, meaning they put a lot more love and care into the materials than a big company would, assuming they’d even release such obscure films.
One example of this idea is Media Blasters, who among other films, has been releasing DVDs of non-Godzilla oriented Toho science fiction titles, including The Mysterians, Matango (aka Attack of the Mushroom People), Dogora and Varan. Their discs include gorgeous widescreen transfers, the original Japanese language tracks, and plenty of goodies.
One new company is Dark Sky Films, a cult movie arm of MPI, which promises top-notch releases of cult movies. In August they will be releasing the dilieriously barouque West German production of The College Girl Murders, featuring a hooded monk-like figure who kills his victims by breaking their necks with a bullwhip. This is one of a run of German campfests very loosely based on the gothic works of author Edgar Wallace (known by buffs as ‘krimis’), and a title I’ve been waiting to see again for quite some time. Future titles supposedly include such prime junk as Horror of Party Beach (YES!), Werewolves on Wheels, Terror Beneath the Sea, The Flesh Eaters (no longer with Retromedia, as previously announced), Curse of the Living Dead, and other stuff. I hope this company stays afloat.
Meanwhile, NoShameFilms, a house dedicated to Euro schlock, will be releasing the uncut-for-the-first-time Big Alligator River (aka The Great Alligator) in all it’s gory glory, along with several Giallo flicks.
Finally, Blue Underground has announced a box set of the Blind Dead movies, Now Totally Uncut & Uncensored For The First Time Ever On DVD!” This thing looks packed, and is due out in September.
