Blu-ray Review: Scream Factory Wants All of Your Money with Four New Collector’s Editions

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CHICAGO – Scream Factory refuses to let up, releasing four more stellar Blu-ray editions that will just add to the debt of hardcore horror fans. Not all four of these films are great on their own but they’re all great Blu-ray releases, full of special features and with some truly amazing transfers. Genre junkies, like myself, should own all four, even “Psycho III.” Sorry. Maybe you can take out a loan. It’s not my fault. Don’t shoot the horror messenger.

The first thing one notices about any of the four new Scream Factory releases this month — “Psycho II,” “Psycho III,” “Prince of Darkness,” and “Day of the Dead” — is that they look absolutely fantastic. Scream Factory’s HD transfers are approaching the best on the market, up there with the Criterion Collection. “Day of the Dead,” in particular, is just stunning. I’ve seen the movie several times, being a big Romero fan, but it feels fresh and new in this release. No one would ever expect that the film is nearly three decades old. All four films have solid transfers but “Day” and “Prince” are superior to the “Psycho” films. They’re superior movies as well, even if “Psycho II” has more to like than I remembered. If you have to pick, go “Dead”-“Prince”-“Psycho II”-“Psycho III”. But you really should just buy all four.

It helps that the two non-Tony Perkins films include new special features as well. There’s a spectacular new, lengthy documentary on “Day” called “World’s End: The Legacy of Day of the Dead” and new interviews with John Carpenter and Alice Cooper on “Prince of Darkness.” That “Day” doc is particularly impressive, providing a lot of well-known details but also adding new depth to an underrated ’80s classic.

Day of the Dead: Collector's Edition
Day of the Dead: Collector’s Edition
Photo credit: Scream Factory

Synopsis:
In this third and final shocker in the continuing saga of the undead from writer/director George A. Romero (Dawn of the Dead, Night of the Living Dead, Diary Of The Dead, Survival Of The Dead), a small group of scientists and soldiers have taken refuge in an underground missile silo where they struggle to control the flesh-eating horror that walks the earth above. But will the final battle for the future of the human race be fought among the living or have they forever unleashed the hunger of the dead? Lori Cardille, Joe Pilato, Richard Liberty and Howard Sherman star in this controversial classic with groundbreaking gore effects by Tom Savini.

Special Features:
o New Documentary: World’s End: The Legacy Of Day Of The Dead
o Audio Commentary With Writer/Director George A. Romero, Special Makeup Effects Artist Tom Savini, Production Designer Cletus Anderson and Actress Lori Cardille
o Behind The Scenes Footage From Special Makeup Effects Creator Tom Savini’s Archives
o Photo Galleries
o Theatrical Trailers
o TV Spots

Prince of Darkness: Collector's Edition
Prince of Darkness: Collector’s Edition
Photo credit: Scream Factory

Synopsis:
Master of horror John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) directs this terrifying battle between humankind and ultimate evil.

A group of graduate students and scientists uncover an ancient canister in an abandoned church, but when they open the container, they inadvertently unleash a strange liquid and an evil force on all humanity. As the liquid turns their co-workers into zombies, the remaining members realize they have released the most unspeakable of horrors, Satan himself, thus paving the way for the return of his father-the all-powerful anti-God.

Terror mounts as the last two members of the team must fight to save an innocent world from a devilish fury that has festered for over seven million years.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary with Director John Carpenter
o New Interviews with Director John Carpenter and Alice Cooper
o Theatrical Trailer

Psycho II
Psycho II
Photo credit: Scream Factory

Synopsis:
Takes you back to the mysteries and horror of the Bates Motel. Twenty-two years after the grizzly terror took place. Norman Bates is released from an asylum and returns home where the terror begins again.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary with Screenwriter Tom Holland
o Vintage Video and Audio Interviews with Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, and Director Richard Franklin
o Theatrical Trailer
o TV Spot

Psycho III
Psycho III
Photo credit: Scream Factory

Synopsis:
Anthony Perkins recreates his most famous role and makes his directional debut in this second sequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s legendary thriller, which picks up right where Psycho II left off. Once again, the Bates Motel is the site of some nasty doings as the rehabilited psychopath, Norman Bates attempts to help a disturbed young woman and a guitar playing drifter while trying to divert a nosy reporter’s suspisions away from Mother.

Special Features:
o Audio Commentary with Screenwriter Charles Edward Pgue
o Interview with Actors Katt Shea, Brinke Stevens, and Special Makeup Effects Artist Michael Westmore
o Theatrical Trailer

“Day of the Dead” was released on September 17, 2013. “Prince of Darkness,” “Psycho II,”and “Psycho III” were released on September 24, 2013.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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