If there’s been one recent Blu-ray announcement that I’m most excited for it’s got to be Arrow’s upcoming The Bird with the Crystal Plumage set. Coming in June, the set promises a 4K restoration of the film, a host of new commentaries and analyses on the film, a brand new interview with Maestro Argento himself, as well as a 60-page collectors’ booklet, a poster and re-production lobby cards. Along with the Phenomena release (May 8th), it’s looks like Arrow are revamping their Argento collection, and if they’re all getting this lavish treatment then, well, my bank account’s going to be looking significantly poorer for a while!
Also recently announced as coming up in June from Arrow are the dark Scandinavian comedy Klown, former video nasty Madhouse from Ovidio Assonitis (The Visitor) and Kinji Fukasaku’s Doberman Cop, a late-era meld of violent yakuza drama and American-style cop movie.
Recently announced from Eureka is an addition to their June slate, Luis Buñuel’s Death in the Garden, a subversive tale of a disparate group of people’s attempts at jungle survival which stars Simone Signoret. The release will feature new writing and analyses of the film from the likes of Tony Rayns and Victor Fuentes.
Recently released by Criterion, the Lone Wolf and Cub complete set looks like a must-own release for samurai fans – featuring all six films in the series, and Shogun Assassin, and a feast of special features, including new interviews and writings on the film. From the BFI, Martin Scorsese’s early film Who’s That Knocking at my Door has just been released and lays the groundwork for many of his career highlights that were still to come.
More out now and coming soon…
Out now – Individual releases of Luciano Ercoli’s Death Walks at Midnight & Death Walks on High Heels, previously on release in the Death Walks Twice box-set (Arrow Video); Sergio Martino’s 2019: After the Fall of New York, Kuei Chih-Hung’s Killer Constable and Sergio Corbucci’s Navajo Joe (88 Films); Multiple Maniacs, John Waters’ 1970 second feature film (Criterion).
Apr 3 – Seoul Station (StudioCanal), the animated prequel to blockbuster smash Train to Busan, and Don’t Knock Twice (Signature Entertainment), generic spooks from the makers of The Machine.
Apr 10 – Italian giants Riccardo Freda and Mario Bava’s collaboration Caltiki the Immortal Monster (Arrow Video), and Umberto Lenzi fantasty silliness Ironmaster (88 Films).
Apr 17 – Individual releases of The Red Queen Kills Seven Times & The Night Evelyn Came From the Grave (Arrow Video), seen previously in the Killer Dames box set.