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Synapse Collector’s Edition of Dario Argento’s PHENOMENA: Phenomenal!

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If there’s been one saving grace to the home video market, it’s been boutique and collector’s releases of usually cult or genre films. Scream Factory, Vestron, and Grindhouse Releasing have been at the forefront with a variety of titles, but Synapse Films has certainly been giving them a run with their limited edition, blu-ray, steel book collector’s editions. Previous releases including DEMONSDEMONS 2, and TENEBRE at limited qualities of 3,000 units. Needless to say, when I heard they were doing a collector’s edition of my personal favorite Dario Argento movie, PHENOMENA, I had to look into it!

PHENOMENA was Argento’s cinematic return post-TENEBRE and in many ways served as a distillation of his works. The forboding fantasy and female gaze of SUSPIRIA and INFERNO, the giallo murder mystery of DEEP RED and TENEBRE, and the animal focus of FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET and THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE. It is a chimera of all of Argento’s signatures in one story. Though not his most well regarded of his filmography, it still holds a special place for many fans.

The plot follows young Jennifer Corvino (Played by pre-Labyrinth Jennifer Connelly), who has been sent to a Swiss boarding school for girls following her parent’s separation. She suffers from sleepwalking and the uncanny ability to communicate with insects… which leads her to accidentally witnessing one of her peers being murdered by a serial killer stalking the Alps! Now, with the assistance of the kindly, wheelchair bound, entomologist John McGregor, (Played by Donald Pleasance!) his helper monkey, and the insect world, she must find out the true identity of the killer before she too is silenced.

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It’s a strange story, sure, but what Argento movie isn’t? And all that strangeness creates that wonderful surreality that is common to Argento.

The Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray comes with three discs with three separate cuts of the movie on two blu-rays and the soundtrack on a CD. The first is a brand new 116 minute version remix of the international 110 minute version created in-house by Synapse. Making it the longest cut of PHENOMENA yet! The 110 minute international version is also included, as well as the heavily cut American version that was released under the alternate title of CREEPERS. All versions have merit in their own right… though CREEPERS isn’t quite as fun due to being so deeply edited.

The transfers on all versions are simply astounding. Every cut in crystal clear clarity high definition. Quality so high that after showing the release to a friend, he actually thought it could have been a movie from last year! Synapse truly outdid themselves with this one, the sound quality being equally top-notch. As per usual, they have delivered nothing short but the best from a technical standpoint.

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The special features are few, but well made. First off, there’s a full-length, vintage Dario Argento documentary DARIO ARGENTO’S WORLD OF HORROR which covers the productions of the horror maestro’s work from the late 70’s up through PHENOMENA. As well as commentary from Argento scholar and author of The Argento Syndrome, Derek Botelho along with film historian David Del Valle for further insight into the mind of the director. Aside from that, there’s a candid interview with one o the musicians behind the soundtrack, Andi Sex Gang, and trailers/radio spots. One of the best inclusions is a complete soundtrack CD that contains 16 tracks from GOBLIN as well as 4 from Andi sex Gang and Simon Boswell, creating the most definitive release of the haunting soundtrack yet! Lastly, the release comes with a comprehensive booklet featuring commentary on the film and production by writer Michael Gingold, former New Line Cinema publicist Gary Hertz, and technical specific notes from disc co-producer Vincent Pereira on the hard work that went into this release.

While lacking a few memorable special features from the Anchor Bay DVD release from 2008 such as Argento’s own commentary and some making of features, this is by far the most definitive release of PHENOMENA yet. Most especially on the technical quality front. Were m y TV any larger, it’d be like seeing it back in the cinema! I would highly recommend this Collector’s Edition to any fan of PHENOMENA, Argento, or just really crazy and fun horror.

The Collector’s Edition is available on Synapse and Diabolik DVD, buy fast, as there’s only 3,000 units in existence!

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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