Indican Pictures Targets June 25 For The DVD Debut Of Writer/Director Tony Wash's High On The Hog Starring The Legendary Sig Haig

Sid Haig.   Just the mention of Sid Haig gets the attention of genre fans.   He’s made a career for himself by just being himself — sort of the antithesis to Hollywood’s pretty boy mold.   

So when word arrived this past week from Indican Pictures that Sid Haig was not only starring in a new action film, but was the producer as well, that raised the curiosity level to a perfect 10.   

The film from writer/director Tony Wash is titled High on the Hog and it will be making the transition from its very limited theatrical run to the DVD marketplace on June 25.

For the record, the ARR comes in a 67 days … it played in just five theatres and pulled in an impressive $42,154 in this very limited showcase.   Unless you were lucky enough to catch a theatrical screening, you will have wait for the arrival of the DVD at the end of June to enjoy Haig’s latest screen adventure.

In an homage to ‘70s grindhouse films, Haig plays Big Daddy, a “farmer” off the beaten path (filmed in rural Illinois), who works the land with a bevy of beauties, Lenore (Fiona Domenica), Lola (Brenda Whitehead) and Laura (Siarra T. Mong), a mute ranch hand by the name of Jimmy (Adam Budron) and he has a knack for growing both corn and the best pot around.  

It’s not the corn, but the weed that has the law sniffing around Big Daddy’s operation, but not for the obvious reasons.   It seems that the town’s mayor (Robert Z'Dar — Maniac Cop, Samurai Cop) doesn’t want the stuff legalized and has hooked up with a corrupt Fed by the name of Agent Dick (Joe Estevez — Samurai Cop 2: Deadly Vengeance, Soultaker, Fatal Pursuit) and they’ve managed to spike the weed being distributed with a mind-blowing hallucinogenic that is driving users nuts.

So it is get Big Daddy time!!!   But, Agent Dick has his hands full as the locals love the gentle farmer and his well-endowed ladies make sure that his backside is covered.   So what to do?   Infiltrate Big Daddy’s operation and that falls to Lucy (Katrina Wolf Hill) … will she get the goods and bring our boy down, or will she become part of “the family” and side with the gentle giant?

One thing is certain, High on the Hog delivers plenty of grindhouse action, tantalizing sexual encounters (all part of the plot, of course) and a radio DJ named “Mary Jane” (Ellie Church), who is plucked right from Walter Hill’s The Warriors to keep the locals informed as to what Agent Dick and his minions are up to.

MVD Entertainment Group To Give Retro Look To The Aug. 13 Blu-ray Debut Of Director Fred H. Dresch’s My Samurai

MVD Entertainment Group has tabbed Aug. 13 for the Blu-ray debut of director Fred H. Dresch’s 1992 direct-to-video action flick, My Samurai.   As the newest member of the company’s popular “Rewind Collection” promotional line — which was specifically set up to promote films just like My Samurai — they’ve really done their homework on this release.

Not only has MVD Entertainment Group created a cool VHS-era cover for the Blu-ray release — complete with a sticker for the “Easy Video” chain — but they’ve gone the extra mile and have tracked down cast members (the director, Fred H. Dresch died of cancer in 2003) and others associated with the production of the film (see bonus goodies for details).   That was no easy task since My Samurai had a VHS release in 1993 (from Imperial Video) and hasn’t been seen since.

The story itself has a teen named Peter (John Kallo), who could be a poster boy for “sullen moper,” who must suffer the indignity of taking Tae Kwon Do classes as ordered by his father (played by Terry O'Quinn — future three-time Emmy-nominee, and one-time winner, for his performance as John Locke on the TV series Lost).   He ends up being in the right place at the wrong time as becomes the sole witness to some gangland murders ordered by “Mr. Tszing” (Mako — Oscar-nominated for Best Supporting Actor in Sand Pebbles) and has to take it on the lam.   

As it turns out, Peter’s only ally in his dangerous game of cat-and-mouse with “Mr. Tszing” — and his gang of thugs — is his Tae Kwon Do instructor Young Park (Julian Lee — Assassins’ Code, Dragon and the Hawk, Fatal Revenge, etc.).   Not only does he teach Peter the skills necessary to defend himself, but he also provides him with valuable life lessons and imbues in him a sense of discipline — a spirit — that the slacker teen was previously unfamiliar with.

My Samurai is the perfect trip down memory lane.  “What’s new on the rental shelf at the local video store this week?”  A treasure to be discovered — and, remember, after viewing … “be kind, rewind!”

Bonus features include newly-prepared video sessions with actor Julian Lee and veteran stunt coordinator, film producer, f/x whiz and actor Mark Steven Grove (his film debut here as Crest), plus the featurette titled “Watching My Scenes,” featuring actor Jim Turner (Arli$$, Granite Flats, etc.) who plays “Blue,” and the featurette titled “A Conversation with Christophe Clark” (French adult film star with over 400 film credits!!!).

Arrow Video Restores Director Christopher Webster's The Chill Factor For Blu-ray Release On July 16

Arrow Video, with domestic sales and distribution expertise provided by MVD Entertainment Group, has a new 2K film restoration of director Christopher Webster’s 1993 snowbound horror tale, The Chill Factor, ready for a Blu-ray rollout on July 16.

For a slasher film to work, you need two elements beyond the gore and the splatter.   The first of these is a victim pool.   The group is usually teen or college-aged, with an emphasis on attractive women (who have to disrobe during the course of the story).   The Chill Factor checks that box with a group of six snowmobile enthusiasts, who were out for a good time, but have to take shelter when one of their members is hurt in a snowmobile drag race.

The only place they can find during an approaching blizzard is the abandoned Camp St. Dominic, which was suppose to be a kid’s summer camp, but ending up be a devil-worshipping center.   Creepy, yes, but warm and safe … and so they take shelter.   Nothing to worry about!!

They could have easily waited out the storm, but when they find a Ouija Board-like game the temptation is just too much.   A demon from hell is summoned to this isolated cabin (in a snow storm) … and one by one they die (sliced and diced)!

Newly-prepared bonus features for this direct-to-video horror classic (originally titled Demon Possessed) include commentary from special effects artist Hank Carlson and horror writer Josh Hadley, plus video sessions with the film’s makeup artist, Jeffery Lyle Segal; production manager, Alexandra Reed and stunt coordinator, Gary Paul.

Shazam! From Warner Bros. Home Entertainment On July 16

When you combine Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury you get a super hero with wisdom, strength and speed (among other things).   These were formed into the magical acronym of “SHAZAM,” which turned the Fawcett Comics character of Billy Batson into Captain Marvel.

This was all laid out in the 1941 serial, Adventures of Captain Marvel, from Republic Pictures and directed by the legendary serial-making team of William Whitney and John English.

Somewhere between March of 1941 and April of this year (what’s that, something like 78 years later) there were a bunch of legal hassles in the comic universe (think: Marvel and DC, the titans of the super hero world duking it out legally) and the character of Captain Marvel became Carol Danvers and now resides at Disney (in the Marvel universe), while the character of Billy Batson is now in the DC universe and over at Warner Bros. 

It can get confusing, so we will just skip all of that and say that Warner Bros. Home Entertainment announced this week that director David F. Sandberg’s Shazam! will making its way home as a three-SKU array of packaged media product offerings on July 16.

The ARR is 102 days and domestic turnstiles hummed to the tune of $138.1 million during the film’s theatrical run (and counting).

Planned for release by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment are Combo Pack editions for both the 4K Ultra HD (with Blu-ray) and Blu-ray (with DVD) formats.   There will also be a stand-alone DVD edition.

Billy Batson (Asher Angel — as Jonah in the Disney Channel comedy series, Andi Mack) is a foster care kid who is recruited by an aging (ancient) wizard by the name of Shazam (played by Djimon Hounsou) to take his place … and bestows upon the young teen his powers.    When Billy says the word “Shazam,” he turns into an adult “super hero” (and we use that in quotes) played by Zachary Levi, who proves to be pretty inept in the beginning since he’s had no formal training with his super powers.

Meanwhile, a backstory tells us that the ancient Shazam has been looking for a replacement for a number of years and one of those earlier attempts went awry when candidate Thaddeus Sivana (played by Mark Strong as an adult) was tempted by sin — Shazam, it seems, keeps the seven deadly sins at bay.

When the older Sivana gets wind of Billy Batson’s new persona (dang that social media), it is just a matter of time before an epic battle between good and evil takes place … complete with a cliffhanger ending (sequel is likely).

In the end, Shazam! is great fun and a refreshing change from the weight of certain “super hero” movies roaming around these days.

Bonus features include a gag reel, deleted scenes, a Shazam motion comic and five featurettes — “The Magical World of Shazam,” “Super Fun Zac,” “Carnival Scene Study,” “Shazamily Values” and “Who is Shazam?”

Vinegar Syndrome Announces Its June 25 Film Restoration Calendar — Putney Swope Leads The Parade

In today’s media culture, with its landscape littered with grievance and social justice warriors, writer/director Robert Downey, Sr.’s 1969 “Truth and Soul Movie,” Putney Swope, could not be made … and if did get funded and produced, it would be attacked seven ways from sundown as being racist (and more).   

The same holds true for Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles … screams, the hysterics associated with the double feature presentation of Blazing Saddles and Putney Swope would be too much to bear … the shame of it!!

There is, however, an appropriate reply to such nonsense … “geyn funt zamd” (Yiddish for “go pound sand”).  Putney Swope still packs the same satirical punch today as it did in 1969 … and with the news from Vinegar Syndrome this past week that a new 4K restoration “from various 35mm pre-print elements” (not quite sure what that means) will be available on June 25 as a newly-minted Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack product offering, film buffs, fans and uninitiated can join the “go pound sand” movement.

Putney Swope (Arnold Johnson — Shaft, Menace II Society, etc.) is the “token black” (literally) at a large “Madison Avenue” advertising agency.   He is there for “color” only and as the film begins, Putney, and the rest of the agency members are gathered in the conference room to hear “Mario” (played by David Kirk), the chairman of the agency, speak.   Mid-sentence, he drops dead and with his lifeless body sprawled across the table, the members of the agency are informed that they must elect a new chairman.

Everyone starts to vote — remember, Mario is dead on the table, no paramedics, nothing — when they are further informed that the rules of the election stipulate that members of the firm cannot vote for themselves.   All of the ballots are crumbled up and tossed to the floor.   Negotiations begin, but each of the members quickly come to the conclusion that these will be fruitless, so they look about the table, think about it … and then cast their votes.

This brilliant opening sequence from Robert Downey (Greaser’s Palace, Pound, Chafed Elbows) sets the tone for what is to come.   All of the members arrive at the same conclusion.   They vote for the one person that no one else will vote for … the “token black,” Putney Swope, who is overwhelmingly elected the new chairman.

“The Truth and Soul” agency is born.   By film’s end, there will be a token white (“if we give you a raise, everyone else will want a raise … and you’ll be right back where you are now”) and the promise of change (complete with those marvelous color commercials) will have been corrupted to the point where nothing has change.   Political and social satire — and indie filmmaking — at its very best!   

If you have a film library, Putney Swope is a must (and look around for a copy of Greaser’s Palace while you’re at it)!!!

Bonus features included with Vinegar Syndrome’s Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack release of Putney Swope on June 24 include two commentary options, one featuring writer/director Robert Downey Sr. and the second with film critic and historian Sergio Mims (co-founder and co-programmer of the Black Harvest Film Festival at the Gene Siskel Film Center).

There are also two vintage video sessions with Downey (2001 and 2008), a Q&A session from the 2005 Philadelphia Film Festival, a video session with cinematographer Gerald Cotts and a “massive” archival article and promo gallery.

Rounding out the June 25 release slate from Vinegar Syndrome (all being released as Blu-ray/DVD Combo Packs) are Taking Tiger Mountain, which has a production history as interesting as the film itself; director John Huckert’s 1985 film release of The Passing; and, director Jeffrey Arsenault’s 1993 vampire/murder-mystery thriller, Night Owl.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Tabs July 9 For The Release Of DVD And Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Editions Of Director Tina Gordon’s Little

It’s switch-a-roo time on July 9!   That’s the street date that Universal Pictures Home Entertainment has assigned for director Tina Gordon’s laugh-out-loud comedy, Little.

The ARR is 88 days and audiences enjoyed Little in theatres to the tune of $40.2 million.    

Planned for release are a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and a stand-alone DVD edition.

Jordan Sanders (played by Regina Hall) is a ruthless, mean-as-a-snake owner of a software development company and runs the place like the captain of a slave ship.   Her assistant, April (Issa Rae — The Hate U Give), catches it day in and day out, but one day Jordan goes too far and gets the whammy put on her and is magically transformed into her 13-year old self (played by Marsai Martin — best known as Diane Johnson from the TV series Black-ish).

Yes, this road has been travelled before in films like Big, Freaky Friday and going all the way back to Peter Ustinov’s 1948 film adaptation of Thomas Anstey Guthrie’s 1882 novel, Visa Versa, but Little, with the interplay between the long-suffering April and her “little” boss keeps it fresh and funny.   Especially so when the junior version of Jordan is snagged by Child Protective Services and forced back to the local middle school and April takes charge of both the company and Jordan’s rude behavior.

Bonus goodies include commentary from filmmaker Tina Gordon, a gag reel and five featurettes — “More than a Little Talent,” “Regina Goes Method,” “Marsai Martin Presents ...,” “Black Momma Whuppin' Situation” and “Issa Rae's Assistant Survival Guide.”

20th Century-Fox Home Entertainment Picks July 23 For The Home Entertainment Launch Of Alita: Battle Angel

850 years in the future we learn that no one much cares about cleaning the mess up, droids, cyborgs, — whatever you want to call them — run rampant and what’s left of the world is obsessed with something called Motorball.   

Alita: Battle Angel is the hot mess that director Robert Rodriguez has delivered— along with scripters James Cameron (yes, that James Cameron) and Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island, Terminator Genisys) —in adapting Yukito Kishiro’s series of 25-year old Manga novels for the screen.

20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment announced this past week that Alita: Battle Angel will be transitioning from its theatrical venues to the home entertainment marketplace as a three-SKU product offering on July 23.

The ARR comes in at a leisurely 158 days and domestic box office receipts currently stand at $85.7 million (the film pulled in over three times that amount in foreign markets … rescuing the production from a flow of red ink).

Planned for release are a 4K Ultra HD/double-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (includes a 3D viewing option), a stand-alone DVD edition and a Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack buying option.

Bonus goodies common to all SKUs are five production featurettes — “Alita’s World,” “The Fall,” “Iron City,” “What it Means to be a Cyborg” and “Rules of the Game.” 

Exclusive to the Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack editions are three additional featurettes — “Evolution of Alita,” “Motorball” and “From Manga to Screen” — a Q&A session with producer/writer James Cameron and director Robert Rodriguez, a video session with Cameron discussing his original collection of concept art for the film, Robert Rodriguez provides chocolate cooking lessons and there are four scenes from the film that are “deconstructed” (from live-action to animation).

With the Walt Disney Studios now in charge of the 20^th Century-Fox film asset library and production schedule it seems unlikely that additional films in the series will be forthcoming anytime soon (not even a whisper in the studio’s official May 7 press announcement).   

Indeed, one of the first moves on Disney’s part was to push Cameron’s Avatar 2 back to December of 2021 on its theatrical release schedule — the studio has other priorities, including the much-anticipated arrival of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in December of this year.