Dead Snow: Red Vs. Dead On DVD And Blu-ray From Well Go U.S.A. On Dec. 9

Every now and then there is that film — that script — that is so out there that it takes on a life of its own.   We are talking about Nazi zombies, of course!   That was the hook for Norwegian filmmaker Tommy Wirkola’s 2009 breakout film Dead Snow.    

He combined the old standby of teens assembling in some remote area (read that as the victim pool), where they come face to face with some horrible murdering menace.   They encounter frozen Nazis (relics of WWII) and not just any Nazis, but elite SS Nazis who are now flesh-eating zombies.    Splatter, snow, nubile victims, zombies and it didn’t even matter that Dead Snow was in Norwegian.

It’s taken awhile, but such a devilishly delightful dance deserves another spin.   On Dec. 9 the only survivor from the first film, Martin (Vegar Hoel), returns to battle the undead once again — and miraculously all in one piece — in the Well Go U.S.A. DVD and Blu-ray debut of Dead Snow: Red vs. Dead on Dec. 9.

So too is Standartenführer Herzog (Orjan Gamst), whose mission is to carry out his 70-year-old assignment and decimate the town of Oksfjord.   With the locals not believing Martin’s wild tale (come on, Nazi zombies, please), he must recruit his own army to stop the advancing invasion!

Update:  Bonus goodies include commentary from director Tommy Wirkola and a VFX featurette ... exclusive to the Blu-ray SKU are an alternative international cut of the film and the short film titled Armen.

Olive Film's Restores Director Robert Altman's Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean For Blu-ray And DVD On Nov. 18

At last!  At last!   The late auteur filmmaker Robert Altman’s long sought-after 1982 film adaptation of Ed Graczyk’s stage play, Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean will be released as both DVD and Blu-ray product offerings by Olive Films on Nov. 18!

Not only will this news please fans of filmmaker Robert Altman, but there are literally legions of adoring fans of the various cast members that Altman assembled for this film (geeze, this guy had a gift for that, didn’t he!).   

Are you ready?   Cher (future Oscar-winner for Best Actress in Moonstruck), the late Karen Black (Oscar-nominee for Best Actress, Five Easy Pieces), Sandy Dennis (Oscar-winner for Best Supporting Actress in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) and Kathy Bates (future Oscar-winner for Best Actress in Misery) are the marquee names, but Sudie Bond (perhaps best remembered as “Mama” Velma Castleberry for the Flo TV sitcom, plus such films as They Might be Giants, Cold Turkey and Love Story) more than holds her own as the store owner where the “reunion” takes place.

September 30, 1955 is the day that James Dean died in an auto accident just outside of Paso Robles, California … it is now 20 years later and fans — they call themselves the “Disciples of James Dean” — of the actor are gathering for a reunion to honor his memory.   They are, however, not gathering anywhere near Paso Robles, but at an aging Woolworth’s (a “five and dime”) in a remote corner of Texas.   

Why there?  It’s the closest place they could find to Marta, which just so happened to be the shooting location for Dean’s 1956 film release of Giant (released theatrically a full year after his death) … which is a whole other story onto itself.

Through flashbacks and character dialog (this is, after all, an adaptation of a stage play) we learn secrets — especially about Karen Black’s character, Joanne, and her relationship to Mona (Sandy Dennis) — about the various members of the group.   

These connections and “reveals” are marked by both visuals (an interesting use of mirrors) and music.   And therein was the hold up in getting this Altman gem to DVD and Blu-ray … music clearances!   The soundtrack from the film includes a number of songs made famous by the McGuire Sisters, including their number one hit from (yes, you guessed it) 1955, “Sincerely.”

This restored version of the film was completed in 2011 by the UCLA Film & Television Archive and should look absolutely gorgeous on both DVD and Blu-ray.   

Bonus goodies include a newly-prepared video conversation with writer Ed Graczyk, who both wrote the original state play and then adapted that play for the screen.

Eagle Rock Entertainment Says Nov. 11 For The DVD Debut Of Crank It Up! — Colt Ford: Live At Wild Adventures

Country recording artist and songsmith Colt Ford, after five successful albums and more miles on the road touring than a long-haul trucker, will be making his way to the home entertainment market place on Nov. 11 with the release of his debut DVD, Crank it Up! — Colt Ford: Live at Wild Adventures.

This Eagle Rock Entertainment-produced event features over two hours of Ford in concert this past August from the Wild Adventures Park in Valdosta, Georgia, where he served-up a fan-pleasing 19-song set, plus a medley of country ditties penned by Ford.   

Included in the mix are both “Ride Through The Country” and “No Trash in My Trailer” from his debut album, plus “Chicken & Biscuits,” “Country Thang,” “Back” and he sent the crowd out into the night with the capper, “Dirt Road Anthem.”

Bonus features include ten webisode segments from his Mr. Goodtime TV series — where you just need to remember three things … Chicks, Trucks and Beer — and a behind the scenes featurette.

Also new to Eagle Rock Entertainment’s November release calendar is the Nov. 25 DVD and Blu-ray debut of Jeff Beck: Live in Tokyo.

Filmed in April of this year at the Tokyo Dome City Hall, this concert featured a blend of Beck standards — “Stratus,” “Led Boots,” “Cause We Ended as Lovers,” “Big Block,” “A Day in the Life,” and “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” — plus new material performed live here for the first time.

Vinegar Sydrome Preps Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Edition Of Writer/Director Lewis Jackson's Christmas Evil For Nov. 18

Vinegar Syndrome announced this past week that writer/director Lewis Jackson’s 1980 cult horror gem, Christmas Evil, will be available at retail on Nov. 18 as a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.

Little Harry sees mom doing the nasty with Santa Claus (actually his father) one Christmas Eve and his little brain just snaps.    Skip ahead a few years and he is now an adult (played by Brandon Maggart — The World According to Garp, Dressed to Kill … and as Lou in the Brothers television series) who has become obsessed with Santa Claus and Christmas.   

To take his “weirdness” to the next level, our boy Harry works at Jolly Dreams (yup, a toy manufacturing company), spies on kids (and co-workers) to see who is naughty and nice (even keeps a list) and dresses up as Santa Claus to make his Christmas-season “deliveries.”   

Now these “deliveries” range from delivering stolen toys (from Jolly Dreams) to those that deserve toys to grisly murders as the ever-increasing unhinged Harry/Santa makes his rounds.   Of course he is misunderstood!

The ending is a classic that combines the visual elements of director James Whale’s Frankenstein torch-bearing mob (in pursuit of the “monster”) with Harry’s “sleigh” (sans reindeers) taking wing … and to all a good night!

Bonus features for this new 4k transfer for original 35mm source material includes not one, but three separate commentary tracks — filmmaker Lewis Jackson, Jackson with the film’s star, Brandon Maggart and last, but not least, Jackson with auteur filmmaker John Waters, which is a commentary track that should not be missed!!! — plus there are deleted scenes, vintage video interview with Jackson and Maggart and storyboards.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment Tabs Dec. 9 For DVD And Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Editions Of When The Game Stands Tall

Actor and filmmaker Thomas Carter’s latest feel-good sports tale — the film adaptation of writer Neil Hayes’ book of the same name — When the Game Stands Tall, will be released on Dec. 9 as DVD and Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack (with UltraViolet) product offerings by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

The ARR is 109 days and ticket sales currently stand at $29.6 million.

The true story of De La Salle High School’s football coach, Bob Ladouceur (played by Jim Caviezel), and the longest winning streak is history (151 games) is documented in this emotionally charged sports biopic.    

No word just yet on bonus goodies that might be included with either the DVD or Blu-ray SKUs.

Mill Creek Entertainment Preps Three New Best Self Fitness DVD Releases For Nov. 4 Delivery

The holidays are coming.  All those scrumptious meals and tasty desserts have the tendency to pack on a few extra pounds.   What to do?  What to do?

No problem, Mill Creek Entertainment has already anticipated the need to get back into shape … and to take some of the stress out of the busy shopping season as well.  On Nov. 4 three new additions to its popular fitness “Best Self Fitness” series of DVD products will be available … and at the fit-to-own price of just $9.98 each.

First up in the mix is kettlebell expert, author and former body-building competitor Sarah Lurie (who was also a Wall Street stock broker) with her Kettlebells: The Iron Core Way.   This two-part workout routine has a threefold effect … it burns fat, builds lean muscle and develops core strength!

Next is Zosha Piotrowski and her Stress Relief DVD release.   This is a “Collection of Anaerobic Exercises for Total Body Health,” which is a fancy way of saying that Piotrowski delivers a series of intense routines (Pilates-based) that builds both endurance and replaces fat with muscle.

And rounding out the Nov. 4 trio of fitness DVDs from Mill Creek Entertainment is one from college professor and Fitness Director at the Montreal Athletic Association, Shelly McDonald.   Her DVD release is titled Bikini Body and it contains two separate workouts that are designed to burn, burn, burn all of those nasty calories!

Take note, also on the DVD release schedule under the “Best Self Fitness” promotion banner are the previously announced titles that are set for delivery on Oct. 21.  These are: Cardio Blast and Lindsay Brin’s Shed 5 Fast … both are also priced at just $9.98 each.

For more information on these new-to-DVD fitness titles (and many more), please visit the Mill Creek Entertainment website at: Mill Creek Entertainment

MGM Home Entertainment Declines To Provide Marketing Support For The Nov. 18 DVD and Blu-ray Launch Of Director R.J. Cutler's If I Stay

Despite generating ticket sales of $49.1 million during its late summer multiplex theatrical run, director R.J. Cutler’s successful film adaptation of Gayle Forman’s 2009 best-seller, If I Stay, it would appear that MGM Home Entertainment will not be putting forth much of an effort in terms of the marketing, advertising or publicity for its home entertainment launch. 

Nov. 18 is when If I Stay makes the transition to the DVD and Blu-ray market place and the culprit behind this little-effort strategy is 20^th Century-Fox Home Entertainment, which currently handles the sales and distribution of MGM-owned and produced film and television products. 

It is a bit sad (and with a certain level of irony) that the once venerable Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio has fallen in line with Fox’s recently adopted policy of not supporting current theatrical hits that are in the process of making the move to home entertainment arena.   The reasoning behind this counter-intuitive move remains a mystery. 

This lack of sales support does raise one interesting question: Whatever happened to spirit of Ars Gratia Artis that so marked the glory days of MGM, or for that matter, United Artists?  It has come to this … a former competitor is now dictating MGM’s marketing, advertising and publicity decisions!   Shame!

The ARR is a swift-to-market 88 days.

Bonus features include commentary by filmmaker R.J. Cutler, who is joined by producer Alison Greenspan (The Lucky One, Nights in Rodanthe, etc.), plus there are deleted scenes and the music video “Never Coming Down.”

Exclusive to the Blu-ray SKU is a three-part interview session featuring novelist/producer Gayle Forman and members of the cast and crew.