I've struck it lucky quite a few times with these wish lists; even predicting distribution labels correctly.
Here are five more hand picked films which desperately need some well earned Blu-Ray or 4K UHD love.
The Creeping Flesh (Freddie Francis, 1973)
For a Tigon production, The Creeping Flesh has all the hallmarks of a Hammer horror film: the gothic Victorian setting; veterans of the legendary film company making up a significant portion of the cast and crew (Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee being the obvious examples), and of course a blood curdling monster which puts an entertaining spin on Charles Darwin's theories on evolution.
As far Blu-Ray availability goes, The Creeping Flesh was released in 2017 as part of a three-pack by Mill Creek, which included Torture Garden (1967) and The Brotherhood of Satan (1971). The film quality is hardly exceptional, however. The other two films have been blessed since then with their own releases in superior picture quality and bonus features. This makes The Creeping Flesh even more wanting of some special high definition treatment.
Technically speaking, Pupi Avati's rural, slow burner has more in common with folk horror than it does with the sterotypical giallo. The House with Laughing Windows focuses on Lino Capolicchio's character tasked with restoring a church’s fresco painting by an insane artist. The film is laced with plenty of tension and dread throughout, culminating with a frightfully, unforgettable ending.
As far as I'm aware, The House with Laughing Windows never received the Blu-Ray treatment anywhere in the world and it's definitely overdue for it. It's also one of the few remaining DVDs that I still own, since I haven't been able to replace it with a better version.
Cheerleader Camp AKA Bloody Pom Poms (John Quinn, 1988)
Another one of those '80s slashers that just as well falls into the giallo whodunnit formula as it does with the masked maniac on the loose. Cheerleader Camp is ludicrous with its premise of a summer camp for cheerleaders, which makes it difficult to take remotely seriously. However, its unapologetically low brow goofiness makes this quintessential late night viewing after you've had a few drinks. There's an abundance of T&A to compliment the blood spilled, which makes this somewhat precious considering the MPAA's crackdown on gore in horror films during this era. Lucinda Dickey better known as the possessed fitness instructor from Cannon's Ninja III: The Domination (1984) and the Breakin' movies (both of which from 1984), is one of the highlights in the film, the other is the numerous Playboy and Penthouse models being in it. However, what takes the bloody baton is the legendary B-movie actor Buck Flower not playing another hobo as usual.
Apart from a bootleg, there isn't a Blu-Ray of the film, which is crying shame as it's far more entertaining than some of the other late '80s slashers I've seen which have already received the boutique Blu-Ray treatment. This has Vinegar Syndrome written all over it.
5150 Elm's Way (Éric Tessier, 2009)
A French-Canadian psychological horror about an innocent young lad held captive by a psychotic chess master and his family. His only chance of freedom is to beat his captor in a chess game. And so a lot of chess games ensue. Without spoiling the film, it leads to an unexpected outcome and one that I found rather unique.
Being an end of the noughties film, 5150 Elm's Way is a classic example of those underrated films which fell through the cracks when DVD was gradually being replaced with Blu-Ray, so it never received the hi-def upgrade. Fingers crossed this gets picked up by a label like Radiance films or Second Sight.
No One Will Save You (Brian Duffield, 2023)
A virtually dialogue free alien invasion film. Hardly a new concept with the A Quiet Place franchise being so popular in recent years, but I'll gladly take the Pepsi Challenge and pick Brian Duffield's film over any of them. That's largely due to it reminding me of a classic The Twilight Zone's episode Invaders along with an incredibly physical and emotive performance from its lead actress Kaitlyn Dever. She excelled in it.
It's an absolute crime that the best film I watched in 2023 is still not available to buy on physical home media. Instead, you have be subscribed to HULU just to watch it. Still, some films from the company such as the mediocre Prey (2022) managed to get a physical release, and for this reason I'm cautiously optimistic it'll happen for a far more deserving film.
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