I’m currently having a really bizarre week in which I seem to be doing some kind of balancing act between being a teenager and an adult (which at 26 is definitely not quite right). On the one hand, I spent a super-fun weekend away with some friends where we went to see a jet car and monster truck show, watched The Expendables and Kick Ass, drank a lot of beer, and said the word “cool” a lot. On the other hand, I spent Monday organising my kitchen and feeling incredibly proud of a new set of drawers, and plan to spend the coming weekend putting up furniture in the bathroom and hall, and reorganising said rooms.

Is this some kind of weird twilight zone between “yoof” and adulthood? I’m not sure, but I do know that, come Monday, I’ll be reverting back to giggly teenagerhood again. Why? Because The New Barbarians is out on DVD from Shameless Screen Entertainment, featuring enough action, explosions and dodgy hair to keep me saying “cool” for at least another week. If you fancy saying “cool”, or anything else to do with TNB, why not say it on the official thread?

Sarah@Cult Labs.

SHAMELESS ANNOUNCES FIRST BD

It’s been something we’ve been asking for a while at the Labs: will Shameless Screen Entertainment ever release any Blu-rays? Well, now we know the answer and it’s a resounding “YES!” In February 2011, Shameless will be releasing a brand new high definition – and high sleaze – transfer of Lucio Fulci’s infamous New York Ripper on Blu-ray and DVD with all-new extras! One of the most notorious films on the UK’s Director of Public Prosecution’s so called “Video Nasties” list; so subversive was NYR, that on its first foray into UK, the print of the film, due for bbfc classification, was legendarily escorted back to the border without ever being screened.

NYR was Shameless’s first release way back in 2007 and is now their second best-selling title and so it was a perfect choice for their first BD release. They even plan to resubmit to the BBFC – although, at this stage, they have no idea or control over what this will lead to. Specifics of the release are still a bit hazy, with packaging, extras etc. all TBC, but all details will be released on the official thread first so watch this space.

THE STRANGE VICE OF MRS WARDH COMING TO DVD

Sergio Martino’s The Strange Vice of Mrs Wardh has been requested on the forums since they were the Shameless Screen Entertainment forums way back when. Well, Shameless has listened and has, this week, announced that it will be released on DVD in March 2011. So far this news has been met with an overwhelmingly positive response and while most of the details (firm release date, artwork, extras) are still very much TBC, I can share the synopsis with you at least!

An ambassador’s wife discovers that one of the men in her life – either her husband, an ex-lover or her current lover – may be a vicious serial killer. This beautiful hypnotic film depicts a series of grisly murders, the victims of which all have some connection to our heroine, Mrs. Julie Wardh (the stunning queen of 1970′s Italian Giallo cinema: Edwige Fenech). Voted one of the top Giallos ever, not only for its surreal S&M imagery – featuring plenty of suspense, sleaze, nudity and gruesome killings – but also because it this is the film which placed Edwige Fenech (Strip Nude For Your Killer) in the hearts of besotted fans around the world.

Details of this release will emerge slowly but surely over the next few months so keep your eyes on the official thread where you’ll get all the info first!

MOVEMBER

Cult Labs’ own rock ‘n’ roll Sith Lord, darthelvis is taking part in Movember – growing a moustache throughout the month of November in order to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Charity (TPCC). Cult Labs thinks this is a great cause and a great idea – many of our films feature fine, fine moustaches… Fred Williamson, anyone? The concept of Movember is simple – start November clean shaven and then spend the month growing a moustache in any style you like while being sponsored for it. darth has written a blog about it, complete with video featuring many styles of ‘tache… Which will he choose?! If you wish to sponsor darth for this great cause, you can do so via his Mo Space page on which he will also be tracking his progress complete with photos. If you would like to take part in Movember yourself, it’s not too late – all you need is the ability to grow a ‘tache! You can find out more information and register on the Movember website.

SAM’S BLOG

Our very own Sam@Cult Labs has been writing some great stuff on his blog lately that I know will interest a lot of our readers/members. First up is his review of A Serbian Film – a film which I, so far, haven’t wanted to see. However, Sam’s review has made me think twice as it is probably the most insightful one I have read. It does contain spoilers, however, so if you don’t want to know what happens, wait until you’ve seen the film!

A Serbian Film asks you some tough questions and ultimately, it’s a profoundly anti-porn statement, designed to make you feel uncomfortable not only about the images you’re watching there and then, but also the other dark stuff you might have seen on some obscure website.

Next up is Sam’s review of Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide which he has been lucky enough to see already. Sam absolutely loves this set and his enthusiasm has made me anticipate my copy even more rapturously than I had previously! Both the documentary and the trailers get a standing ovation from Sam and so, if you need convincing, read this review before you buy!

Put simply, this is one of the best horror packages to come to UK DVD in a very long time. Superb value for money, a great party DVD and a godsend for video editing freaks and sample hounds.

THERE’S SOMETHING GOING ON AT THE LABORATORY

As I sit here sipping on lemon and ginger tea, I can’t help feeling a bit rubbish about this youth/adulthood twilight zone I’m currently occupying. I’m not in any rush to grow up, but I would kind of like to be one or the other now. While I feel the pull of adulthood and its many responsibilities, my eye keeps wandering to rossco396‘s copy of Red Dead Redemption and I’m thinking, “How boss would it be to spend the whole day playing video games?!” While I battle with this dilemma, I’ll catch you up on the happenings at the Labs!

Monsters (2010)

I really can’t wait to see this film after seeing a trailer for it before Buried. For the uninitiated, SShaw gives a good introduction to it after seeing a preview screening of the film on Monday. If you’ve managed to catch a preview then let us know what you thought on this thread. If you’re not one of the lucky ones, check out the trailer and let us know what you think.

The Walking Dead

I don’t have the right channel in order to see this awesome looking new TV show so I’ll have to wait for it to come to DVD or BD but so far it’s getting a great response on the forums with Dr Shonzo saying it’s “exactly what television needs,” and pedromonkey describing it as “the best new show on television.” Have you seen this new zombie series yet? If so, what do you think? If, like me, you’re zombie-less, are you eagerly waiting for it to come to DVD/BD? Let us know!

The Dario Argento Thread

With so much classic Argento coming to DVD and Blu-ray courtesy of Arrow Video, why not discuss the director himself on this thread? Vote for your favourite film on the poll and then discuss the films themselves (best and worst) on the thread. Argento provokes strong opinions in most of us so I imagine nearly everyone has something to add!

Enzo Castellari

With the release of The New Barbarians next week, I thought it was apt to try to resurrect this thread. All things Castellari -related are welcome here, not just The Bronx Warriors so have a look through your Castellari collections and get chatting about his films now!

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“There’s other amazing Arrow releases on the way to keep us going in the meantime.” – Splatterdragon73 works out how to survive without Demons for the time-being.

MODS & ROCKERS

KYLE’S COMP CORNER

Kyle’s latest comp was launched on Halloween and to celebrate it’s a trick or treat themed one. Normally I post a picture of the prize but, here’s the trick, I don’t know what it is! Or what they are, I should say. Here’s some details in Kyle’s own words: “To celebrate the most ghoulish and frightening time of year, this comp is going to be slightly different. What’s so different? Well, this time, there’s going to be six prizes up for grabs! Six people will each win themselves a prize. However, out of the six prizes, only three will be any good. Three will be treats (brand new DVDs) and the other three will be tricks (utter rubbish).” To be in with a chance of winning, head on over to the Comp Corner now! Good luck…

WELCOME NEWBIES!

Here’s a big hi there to all the new members this week. Hello to dawnofthedead, Colin654 and Filmbar70. Hope you all settle in nicely!

AND FINALLY…

Before I go, here’s a little reminder that if you haven’t already signed up to receive this newsletter in your inbox each week, you can do so using this link. All this means is that every Thursday you get a little bit of me in your inbox. Not literally though. That’d be a bit gross.

Remember, if you have any comments, feedback or anything you’d like to see featured in the newsletter, PM me at Sarah@Cult Labs or drop me a line on the newsletter thread!

Until next week,

Sarah@Cult Labs.