The 88 Films Thread

[BAKA]

Much prefer the second wave of announcements. Was a little disappointed with the first set, but Eyeball, Deadtime Stories and The Vengeful Beauty are really exciting. I do rate Bad Dreams, but I already own the SF release.

[Susan Foreman]

Alice, Sweet Alice | The Digital Fix

Film 8 out of 10
Video 7 out of 10
Audio 7 out of 10
Extras 6 out of 10

Overall 7 out of 10
This well-crafted shocker still holds up remarkably well even after several decades, thanks to assured direction and a standout creepy performance from Paula E. Sheppard. The film has never looked better too, thanks to a brand new 2K restoration from 88 Films

[Susan Foreman]

"SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT... ANOTHER ITALIAN RELEASE AS ARGENTO COMES TO 88 ON SEPT 24TH!

It was the team-up of the century in 1990 when the Italian auteur of excess Dario Argento made this double-feature compendium creeper with DAWN OF THE DEAD helmer George Romero! The result brings together the very best of the United States independent sector with the kingpin of things giallo - giving us the much-loved splatter shocker TWO EVIL EYES! The latest in 88 Films Italian line, Romero's outstanding opening salvo offers us an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar", highlighting the sublime Scream Queen Adrienne Barbeau (THE FOG/ SWAMP THING) as a scheming widow seeking to exploit the estate of her terminally ill husband. Little does she know, however, that her husband is already ahead of the curve... and planning a little ghoulish vengeance of his own! For Dario Argento's Poe adaptation "The Black Cat", Harvey Keitel (RESERVOIR DOGS/ TAXI DRIVER) essays an eccentric photographer obsessed with death and dismay... although eventually his livelihood encourages him to embark on the ultimate crime. However, there is a super-sick sting in the tale that will leave the hapless camera-man literally hollowed-out from head to toe! We dare you to endure the gruesome and gruelling special effects of Tom Savini (DAY OF THE DEAD) and the provocative, spine-tingling soundtrack of Pino Donaggio (BODY DOUBLE) in this awe-inspiring frightener that is finally available to UK horror buffs in hair-raising HD...!!!"

[Justin101]

Been meaning to get the BU release for ages, I'll get this one I think as long as it gets a decent review

[Susan Foreman]

"Another goodie on Sept 24th... our latest SLASHER CLASSIC!

Also known as THE HORROR STAR, the 1983 cult creeper FRIGHTMARE offered audiences postmodern shocks long before Wes Craven gave us his game-changing SCREAM in 1996! An underrated and underseen gem, FRIGHTMARE tells of a celebration for a late, great horror star... only the actor in question might not be entirely dead and soon the participants at his supposed party are being picked off one by one! Highlighting a notable supporting performance Jeffrey Combs (RE-ANIMATOR) and assured direction from Norman Thaddeus Vane (who also worked on the X-rated cult favourite DRACULA SUCKS), this is one of the most stylish and sublime of all the eighties slice and dice horror-pack and 88 Films is thrilled to present FRIGHTMARE as part of its Slasher Classics collection!

Extras and specs tbc"

[Susan Foreman]

"Our September just gets busier and busier...

Long-demanded by fans of the franchise, and by followers of eighties sex comedies in general, PORKY'S REVENGE was released in1985 and marked the conclusion of the blockbuster teen-centred trilogy. In this hilarious and superior sequel the boys from Angel Beach High School are in their senior year, but when old enemy "Porky" steamrolls back into town with his illegal casino and brothel, the likeable - and every horny - lads find themselves tied-up in an unwelcome plan to compromise the upcoming basketball game! Adding to the headaches is an unwanted marriage, old acquaintances, bad dates and the usual hormonal overload (thanks to the presence of the frequently topless Playboy Playmate Kimberly Evenson) that one would expect from a PORKY'S movie. Unseen in the UK since the days of VHS, and gaining this gobsmacking HD restoration from 88 Films, PORKY'S REVENGE reunites all the old favourites including the late Mark Herrier as Tommy Turner, Dan Monahan as Pee Wee, Tony Ganios as Meat, Kaki Hunter as Wendy and, of course, the great Nancy Parsons as Beulah Balbricker. Also boasting a hit soundtrack from eighties fave Dave Edmunds, PORKY'S REVENGE is a must-see rib-tickler that conclusively stands the test of time!

Extras and specs tbc (but PORKY'S franchise superfan Dr Calum Waddell has demanded he do a commentary)"

[Susan Foreman]

"Final September announcement... September 10th brings an old comic book favourite back to British shelves!

Long before superhero movies were packing out multiplex cinemas, Freddy Krueger creator Wes Craven followed-up the success of Richard Donner's SUPERMAN (1978) with this fondly remembered DC adaptation that brings a comic book favourite to livid and lunatic life! Following the success of THE HILLS HAVE EYES (1977), SWAMP THING was also evidence of its director trying to adapt his style to less rough 'n' ready thrills and spills - and the result is an adventure thriller that highlights not just a mutant-monster with good intentions, but such sights as the timeless terror-star Adrienne Barbeau (THE FOG), future Twin Peaks star Ray Wise and David Hess (THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT) in one of his best-remembered villainous turns. Released in 1982 to an appreciative cult following, SWAMP THING remains one of Craven's most mesmerising achievements - with a faithful DC-comic outlay and plenty of action-packed special effects that hold their ground even today. 88 Films is delighted to present SWAMP THING in a very special edition BluRay release that packs a pristine punch and highlights this creature feature classic in all of its bayou-tinged brilliance!

Specs include:

Vintage audio commentary with director Wes Craven
New audio commentary with critic and fan Ian Jane
New epic interview with production designer Robb Wilson King
More tbc
Booklet by Dr Calum Waddell"

[Rob4]

good stuff from 88 . Frightmare (aka The Horror Star) interests me the most. never seen it but i remember a write up in Fangoria that suggested it was a decent slasher.

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Frightmare is a lot of fun. If I didn't already have the Vinegar Syndrome Blu, I'd be picking it up for sure.

[Susan Foreman]

'Grizzly' Review | Marc Fusion

Nudity: 0/10
Blood: 5/10
Dialogue: 5/10
Overall Insanity: 6/10

"No nakedness. There’s a tease during one scene, but bra and panties is the closest we get to sleaze here. But the movie delivers where it counts, which is outlandish bear attacks and demolished victims. This beast doesn’t mess around, slashing and chomping all that gets within his reach, with splashy results. This includes limbs torn off, faces slashed open, and heads bitten, with more blood than you’d expect from a PG movie, even by 70s standards. A mother tries to fist fight the bear, but he rips the leg off her child and in another scene, the bear punches the head clean off of a horse. This is wild stuff and Grizzly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to bear related violence, with good blood and outrageous moments. The dialogue here has some fun exchanges, especially between George and Dorsey, who feed off each other well and escalate nearly conversation into a full blown confrontation. The performances across the board are dialed up enough to make most of the lines seem overly dramatic, but overall those two have the best scenes and banter. As far as craziness, we have the campy performances, b movie vibes, and out of control bear attacks, so there’s some solid wackiness at work."