5 Horror DVDS you May Never See
As devote fans of the horror movie genre, we sometimes forget that the release of our favorite films onto a home video format (DVD, VHS, Blue Ray) are part of a larger conglomerate's business decision of whether or not releasing a product is worth it's return. Sometimes a company buys the rights to a film or TV show and then decides to never release it. Either way we suffer as fans because we don't have any other outlet whatsoever to view these films.
So what are we supposed to do? Outside of signing some internet petition, there is nothing we can do. We get screwed by deal takers and decision makers who only see the film as a commodity and nothing more. Now I will admit, most of the films that get purchased and then buried are pretty bad. We also barely ever hear about those 99% of films that get made by not distributed, but once in a while, a movie hits the skids that are actually good. So I give you 5 Greats DVDs You May Never See on Region 1.
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (Dir: Jonathan Levine – 2006) Synopsis: An Attractive teen name Mandy Lane (Amber Heard) gets invited by her new popular friends to a weekend party at a ranch. Soon the teens start getting taken out one by one. ( Trailer )
How it got buried: By a combination of assholes and lawyers. The film was financed independently by Occupant Films. It was filmed and complete in 2006 in the US and then got a great reception at a number of high profile genre film festivals. With that success, the Weinstein Company bought the picture and after Grindhouse came in way under expectations, the film was put on a shelf. The Weinsteins figured that if one horror film tanked, then another definitely would (yes they seem to be mentally handicap somehow). So the film enjoyed moderate success internationally and never got put out in Region 1. So when the Weinsteins realized the film wasn't profitable, they sold it to Senator Entertainment who promised 1000+ theaters in the US and then they shelved it.
This is how it stood until September 2008 (yes that has been 2 years now) when Mark Urman left THINKfilm to take over distribution duties at Senator. He promises to release the film in the theaters that Senator guarenteed. This seemed like it was actually going to happen and then Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group bought all the distribution rights to Senator's release slate. Supposedly this means that there is actually more of a chance the film will be released, but after two years, two and a half distributors, a regime change, and two buyouts, does anyone have any hope anymore?
Chance of ever seeing it: 5: It looks like it may actually happen now, and spirits are just as high as when it was doing its festival tour in the fall of 06. But I have been disappointed so many times I wouldn't be surprised if it ever came out.
Phantasm II (Dir: Dan Coscarelli – 1988): Synopsis: Reggie Bannister and Mike are back! Just after Mike is released from a mental hospital, Reggie and Mike take their fight to the tall man's door.
How it got buried: Well, I guess it's not really buried. Universal Studios owns the US right to the film and they just don't feel like putting out a DVD. That's it. There is not distribution issue, no rights issues, no Weinsteins either. They just don't feel like putting it out. With Phantasm, Phantasm III, and Phantasm IV director Dan Coscarelli was able to get the rights to those films and pass them on to Anchor Bay to get a proper release (and we all know anchor bay always does a great job) but for some reason Universal Studios won't give him the rights for a reasonable price.
Chance of ever seeing it: 1: On the Wikipedia page for Phantasm II it says "Universal Studios currently has no plans of releasing a region 1 DVD". It will not happen. Unless Phantasm 5…..
Halloween 666 (Dir: Joe Chappelle – 1995) Synopsis: OK, so Jamie Lloyd and Michael Myers have disappeared. Then Jamie comes back to Haddonfield to get Dr. Loomis to help her get her child that she had with Michael Myers back from a clan of druids.
How it got buried: In two separate ways actually. The first was that since Disney owns the right to the film (they used to own Dimension films when Halloween 6 was produced) and they feel that their bare bones DVD release was enough because it's now officially out of print. Of course there is the Producers Cut of the film which is floating around, but Disney doesn't want a new DVD of the film to compete with their release… which is out of print. So essentially you have the choice of either getting a bootleg producer's cut or a bare bones DVD which since it is out of print, will only start going up in value. This is also the reason that there is no Halloween Box Set that includes all the movies like there is a Friday the 13th (at least 1-8) or A Nightmare on Elm Street box set.
Chance of ever seeing it: 2: Writer Daniel Farrands said in an interview that Disney is thinking about an official release of the Producers cut. Then again, that interview was from December of 07.
The Stepfather (Dir: Joseph Ruben – 1987) Synopsis: Henry Morrison (Terry O'Quinn) is in search of the perfect family. So he goes from town to town marrying women with children from previous marriages and when they don't work out, he kills everyone. Hilarity does not ensue.
How it got buried: I have no idea. I can't get a straight answer anywhere of why this film is not on a region 1 release. I'm just going to go ahead and assume that it is some kind of right issue. Possibly someone wants too much money for the North American distribution and frankly the physical distributors don't feel like paying it. What doesn't make any sense what so ever is that The Stepfather II and III are both on region 1 DVD.
Chance of ever seeing it: 1 – The fact that there is a remake coming out later this year (or early next year) should work in its favor. But since there were two more sequels put out, then moved to DVD and the original wasn't, doesn't bode very well for its future.
Grindhouse (Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez – 2007) Synopsis: Two back to back feature films including the zombie and machine gun leg epic Planet Terror with the homage to 70s car chase flicks Death Proof. A bunch of funny fake trailers separate the two films. ( Trailers / Clips )
How it got buried: Well I guess it didn't "technically" get buried, but the version that was in theaters definitely got the cold shoulder (Most of you didn't bother to go out and see it). Instead we get two double disk DVD additions of each film, which I must admit is nice, but there is still no theatrical cut available to purchase in Region 1. Japan however got a sweet 6 disk set with the theatrical cut and another special features disk.
Chance of ever seeing it: 6: You actually can see it right now if you have Starz. It has aired uncut there but the Weinstein Company has a tradition of not giving a shit what the fans of the movies think about anything. Do not hold your breath for this version on DVD. Maybe a Blue ray one day….