Rare Case: Howling V/VI

As a man who owns many multi-film DVDs, I expect certain things.  

After all I have Waxwork I/II, Black Cobra I/II/III and Psycho II/III/IV on one-disc DVDs- not counting the numerous Martial Arts Collections I own.  

So, then I got into my DVD of Howling V/VI...

Okay, I'll click on Howling V- which for some reason added the 'The' back into the title- and check out the Menu...

...or the movie just starts.  That's lame.  Let's try (The) Howling VI...

Yes, that film has no Menu either!  These films are simply two VHS-rips of the films slapped onto one Disc, with just that simple screen and a one-minute video reel that plays when you put in the Disc.

Should I have expected more from a film series that was so cheap?  

How about a DVD release from a group called, I kid you not, The Timeless Media Group?  

I suppose not...

A Rare Case: Crash & Burn

Consider this a preview of what I have coming for Full Moon Week, plus the one-time-only return of a segment that I haven't done in over a year.

Crash & Burn doesn't not exactly have the best video transfer on DVD.  See for yourself...

Yeah, check out that film grain.  If you want more proof, check out this shot from later in the film.

Now, here's the thing: the Making-Of Featurette features much cleaner and brighter footage.  Check out the non-Widescreen title first...

For better context, check out this shot from the same scene that was shown earlier.

How come this isn't the transfer you used for the film?!?  I get that maybe this was footage from the Trailer, but why not make the rest of the film look like that?  Oh right- that would cost money!

Will I make another one of these before another 16 months goes by?  Only time will tell.  Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: Raped by An Angel 2

There were a lot of strange things about this movie and the Menu set-up was no different.  If you should choose to rent/buy this film (why God, why?), you would be treated with this...

Um, there's no Menu here- just a picture.  What happens if I hit a directional button...

Oh, there's the menu.  What was the point of that picture screen again?  To just waste my time, I guess.

Next up, a vampire series offers you an odd look at what could have been.  Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: Skull Heads

After a long delay, the segment returns with a bit of Full Moon curiosity that baffles me.  The Special Features menu for the film looks like this...

Three Features and none of them have to do with the movie!  Really, guys?!?

1. An interview with the people behind Castle Freak in a segment for Full Moon Presents.  Um, why is this not on my DVD of Castle Freak?!?

2. An interview with Jack Kirby is nice (although I'm more of a Stan Lee guy), but what does it have to do with anything?!?  The man died in 1994 and this film is from 2009!

3. While not as irksome, this is just a filler insert and has nothing to do with the film.  It's just beneath putting the trailer to the film on the DVD.

Up next, a look at how a studio finally delivered on a Special Edition DVD as promised...a year later.  Stay tuned...

A Rare Case *Update*: 2012- Supernova

For those of you who missed it, one of the earliest Rare Cases involved The Asylum releasing a film in time for a major release, only to see that release delayed.  So, what happened when the film actually came out?

When in doubt, make it twice.  Plus, while you're at it, get the other guy from Charmed.  Hey, it worked for Warbirds!

Next up, the film that stands out amongst the pack, even if it is much shorter than everyone else.  Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: Terror in Beverly Hills

Today's feature involves a movie that I had to wait a long time to become available (I guess they only had a few copies). Was it worth the wait? Um, no. That point will become clear when you see this low-fi shot I got of the movie's title screen.

Yeah, this is the only one I've EVER had do that. Considering that I could not even feasibly count the number of DVDs that I have seen, that is saying a lot! Plus, aside from not fitting on my screen, what about Arial font and puke green backgrounds screams 'Terror in Beverly Hills' to you?

Up next, a film that breaks the mold and dares to cast small. They also sing. Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: Bill & Coo

I will make this one short and sweet, because, quite honestly, words fail me.

This film comes to us from 1948 and stars an all-bird cast. Yeah, you read that.

I could go on all day with these, but I'll leave you with just a couple more.

That's adorably-insane (note to self: copyright that expression). Up next, another milestone film that boggles the mind. Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: Maniac Cop

I honestly like this movie, but I hate the lack of care given to the movie's menu.

Yeah, how long did that take you guys? Your $20 DVD burning program was sure put to the test there. 

Incidentally, it's not visible in still-frame, but the center picture is a minute-long clip from the movie...that loops.

You'll have to excuse the low-tech approach to this one, by the way, as this was before I got VLC Media Player to get my screen captures.

Up next, I cover a pair of movies that defy both logic and conventions. These things are truly Rare. Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: The Phantom of the Opera (1989)

This is one I've been holding under my hat for a while now, but feel like I should use it. It's a Rare Case that is relative to the formats we live with now (DVD and Blu-Ray).

How often do you see this on a DVD?

That's right- this movie kept its 'formatted to fit your screen' message from VHS. There's no need for it with DVD, since it's digital! If it was not clear that this was VHS transfer before, it is now.

Next up, the crappy DVD menus I promised you. Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: Don't Answer the Phone!

Do you love mystery? Do you love suspense? How about the mystery of finding out who the killer in a murder mystery is? Yeah, we all hate that! I wish a movie would just tell me who the killer was from the get-go! Who will be that movie for me?!?

Don't Answer the Phone!

Ah, that's better. This movie actually gives you a name in the credits and a person listed as 'The Killer.' Um, spoilers, guys!

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Actually, the whole film is unique in that it shows you the killer and builds tension around watching him do his work. The problem is that he just looks like a serial killer the whole time, so he really should have been caught from the get-go. He just blatantly stalks woman on the streets of Los Angeles in broad daylight. Reign it in, buddy!

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Next up, the menus that I have teased for so long. Maybe. Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: The Mangler 3

While movies are very important, the menus are key. Consider that it is your way to navigate to all the features and aspects of the film that you want to see. It is like a book having an upside down cover with an arrow pointing upwards. So what is the DVD equivalent of that? The DVD menu to The Mangler 3...

Okay, I'm confused. Is there a Scene Selection at all? Are there optional languages, a Commentary Track or even subtitles for the deaf/hard of hearing? Well, let's look at what they offer as a Special Features...

Oh, you put everything in this menu, huh? That's really, really stupid. Given the film, I should not be surprised.

Up next, a pair of menus that are even worse! No, really. Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: 2012- Doomsday

I really hate The Asylum. Had I mentioned that yet? I know that I have, but it bears repeating. They suck- plain and simple. They are exploitative, stupid and a thorn in the side of any casual movie renter. Occasionally, however, they screw up bad and it's funny.

In anticipation of a big film's release, they put out one of their copycat films. However, the real film got delayed for a couple of reasons...which they did not know. As such, they released their film as a standalone thing. This brought us...
Yeah, that film has been delayed nearly as many times as Meg. It is supposedly coming out soon, although you can rent it's ugly cousin right now. Tough call, huh?

Next up, a DVD menu that dares to be confusing as hell! Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: The Dragon Lives Again

I'm used to foreign people being credited in movies under fake names. Joe D'amato is a famous one, as is Lewis Coates (aka Luigi Cozzi) and Clyde Anderson (aka Claudio Fragrasso). What is A Rare Case, however, is having an action star billed by a character's name that was not his own. On top of that, a lady is billed rather oddly on the same page. Check it out...

Just for the record, the man is playing 'James Bond.' Don't worry, I will talk about why in a future review. The lady is playing a version of famous porn character 'Emmanuelle,' although I don't know why it has to be from North Europe. Apparently, she doesn't have a last name, like Madonna and Sting. Yeah...that's it.

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Up next, a company screws up by being early? Stay tuned...

A Rare Case: Dead & Buried

As a lover of foreign and obscure films, I am used to cheap, pan-and-scan prints. I am also used to crappy DVDs that come with nearly no Special Features. Most of them just have a Trailer...for the film that you just watched- riveting! 

So it is really a Rare Case to get a DVD that tries way too hard to keep you interested. This was the case with...

To begin with, this was a really good film. I have not reviewed it because I know that I could not help but spoil the ending to it. I like the film too much to do that.

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Thanks to Anchor Bay, this movie comes with a good transfer and a couple nice featurettes. Pretty much the usual stuff for them, really. They even did this with the crappy Romero film Season of the Witch. To make things better, the film comes with an audio commentary track by the Director. That sure is nice of you, guys. 

But wait...

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There is also a second commentary track by the writer. Okay, that's a little weird. Maybe they just didn't get along and needed to do...

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A third commentary track. What is this, The Lord of the Rings trilogy?!? I think that this movie is great, but this is a bit much. What a Rare Case indeed!

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Up next, a movie full of nudity...that doesn't show any? Stay tuned...