Feed: Limited Edition – Unearthed Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Australia, 2005
Director: Brett Leonard
Writers: Patrick Thompson, Alex O'Loughlin, Kieran Galvin
Cast: Alex O'Loughlin, Patrick Thompson, Gabby Millgate, Jack Thompson, Rose Ashton, Matthew Le Nevez, David Field, Sherly Sulaiman, Marika Aubrey

Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Approximate Running Times: 100 Minutes 57 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 English, LPCM Stereo English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $39.95

"Australian cop Philip Jackson, is no stranger to the dangerous side of sexual fetishes. He may have found his sickest case yet when he discovers a sinister side to an American website devoted to fat-admiring men and obese women called "feeders" and "gainers." Could the man behind it all be force-feeding missing women to death?” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 5/5

Feed comes on a 50 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.5 GB

Feature: 28.9 GB

The source looks excellent; colors look correct, image clarity and black levels are solid, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 5/5 (DTS-HD 5.1 English, LPCM Stereo English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English and a LPCM stereo mix in English. Both audio tracks are in great shape; dialog always comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced and robust when it should. Included are removable English subtitles and English SDH. 

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery with music from the film playing in the background (stills/posters), a theatrical trailer (1 minute 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Infomercial (7 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a featurette titled Feed In Philadelphia: The North American (8 minutes 37 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Behind the Scenes Footage (28 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Outtakes (10 minutes 59 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), 10 deleted scenes and alternate ending with optional audio commentary with director Brett Leonard (22 minutes 42 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), 12 additional deleted and extended scenes (40 minutes 48 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with with actor/producer Jack Thompson (56 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with with actor Alex O'Loughlin (6 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with with producer Melissa Beauford (4 minutes 52 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Final Day interview with Brett Leonard (4 minutes 22 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Brett Leonard, and a slipcover (limited to the first pressing).

Summary:

Brett Leonard directed Feed. He is also known for directing The Dead Pit, The Lawnmower Man, Hideaway, and Virtuosity.

A cybercrime investigator goes outside of the law to track down and capture a man whose force is feeding women to death.

Nothing about Feed is an easy ride; there is an endless barrage of moments that are hard to stomach. The playful music turns grotesque moments into playful ones, despite the film's intention to make you feel uncomfortable. Feed does not waste any time; its opening setup does an excellent job setting the tone and foundation for the events that follow.

The killer, a man named Michael, sees himself as a savior of the women he force feeds. He wants to set these women free from the unrealistic expectations set upon them by society. That said, Michael's childhood trauma, connected to his mother, haunts him. These women he’s setting free serve as surrogates for his deceased mother.

When it comes to the performances, the cast fully embraces their characters. Though there were no performances that were lacking, they are all obscured by Alex O'Loughlin’s (Whiteout) portrayal of Michael. His physical presence greatly aids his performance. Patrick Thompson's portrayal of the cybercrime investigator was the character I found to be the least convincing.

Though the premise may seem far-fetched, it is based on an actual subculture named Feedism. In this subculture, gainers are aided by feedees who help the latter gain weight. That said, most feedism is consensual, unlike its depiction in this film.

The premise is well-executed, and the narrative does a great job building momentum to a twist ending that provides a perfect coda. Another strength of the narrative is the cat-and-mouse game between Michael and the cybercrime investigator. The most surprising aspect of Feed is how realistic the fat suits look. There is no shortage of shocking moments in Feed, and the visuals are very effective in refining the mood. Ultimately, Feed is a polarizing film that most will find a challenge to see through to the end.

Feed an exceptional release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a wealth of extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Poverty Row Classics Double Feature (King of The Zombies & Miss V From Moscow) - VCI Entertainment (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Dates: USA, 1941 (King of The Zombies), 1942 (Miss V From Moscow)
Directors: Jean Yarbrough (King of The Zombies), Albert Herman (Miss V From Moscow)
Cast: Dick Purcell, Joan Woodbury, Mantan Moreland, Henry Victor, John Archer, Patricia Stacey, Guy Usher, Marguerite Whitten, Leigh Whipper, Madame Sul-Te-Wan, James Davis, Laurence Criner (King of The Zombies), Lola Lane, Noel Madison, Howard Banks, Paul Weigel, John Vosper, Anna Demetrio, Wilhelm von Brincken, Juan de la Cruz, Kathryn Sheldon, Victor Kendell, Richard Kipling (Miss V From Moscow)

Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Approximate Running Times: 67 Minutes 5 Seconds (King of The Zombies), 66 Minutes 16 Seconds (Miss V From Moscow)
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC (Both Films)
Rating: NR
Sound: LPCM Mono English (Both Films)
Subtitles: English SDH (Both Films)
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $19.95

King of The Zombies: "The year is 1941 and World War two is furiously travailing. While flying in the, Caribbean, Pilot, James "Mac" McCarthy (Dick Purcell) finds that his plane has been blown off course by a storm. With radio transmissions nil and his plane dangerously low on fuel, McCarthy has no other recourse but to crash-land on a mysterious, remote island. McCarthy and his passengers, Bill Summers (John Archer) and his valet Jefferson Jackson (Mantan Moreland), take refuge in a mansion owned by Dr. Miklos Sangre (Henry Victor) and his wife Alyce (Patricia Stacey). It's not long till the three men realize something is not quite right with the mansion or the good doctor, when creepy and mysterious events begin taking place." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Miss V From Moscow: "Deep in the throes of World War II, a beautiful Soviet spy named Vera Marova (Lola Lane) impersonates her doppelganger- a dead German spy. Along with her ally, Steve Worth (Howard Banks), who is an American serving in the British armed services, the two work with the Free French underground agents in Paris. Their assignment is to send secret radio messages to Moscow, warning American convoys of potential attacks from German submarines." – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3/5 (King of The Zombies), 1/5 (Miss V From Moscow)

King of The Zombies and Miss V From Moscow come on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.2 GB

Feature: 19.1 GB (King of The Zombies), 18.6 GB (Miss V From Moscow)

No information was provided about either film’s source; that said, King of The Zombies looks considerably better than Miss V From Moscow. Both films have some mild instances of source-related debris and damage. King of The Zombies’ transfer has strong image clarity, serviceable black levels, and there are no notable compression-related issues. Miss V from Moscow’s transfer looks blurry, image clarity is mediocre, and black levels are never convincing.

Audio: 3/5 (King of The Zombies), 2.5/5 (Miss V From Moscow)

Each film comes with one audio option, a LPCM mono mix in English with removable English SDH. Both films have some mild background hiss; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. That said, range-wise, both audio tracks are satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a newsreel titled The News of the Year 1941 (9 minutes 34 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), a video essay titled Poverty Row Studios: A Brief History Part One (11 minutes 21 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Tom Weaver and Gary D. Rhodes for King of The Zombies.

Included is a DVD that has the same content as the Blu-ray included with this combo release.

Summary:

King of The Zombies: Three men crash-land on a Caribbean island and find refuge in a mansion inhabited by an evil doctor and his zombie minions.

Jean Yarbrough directed King of The Zombies. He is also known for directing The Devil Bat, House of Horrors, She-Wolf of London, The Brute Man, and The Creeper.

Though things start off strong, after their plane crashes, three men find themselves in a spooky graveyard. There is a major tonal shift after they arrive at a mansion, and from there on out there is nothing remotely scary. The general vibe of King of The Zombies is silly, and humor plays a significant role in the story that unfolds. That said, even when it comes to the moments with the zombie, they elicit laughter instead of fright.

Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre were both considered for the role of Dr. Miklos Sangre, the evil doctor who controls the zombies. Henry Victor (Freaks) would ultimately be cast in the role of Dr. Miklos Sangre, and he delivers a serviceable performance. The most memorable performance is Mantan Moreland’s (One Dark Night) portrayal of a valet named Jefferson "Jeff" Jackson. His character provides the comic relief, and the comedic timing is flawless. That said, no other performance leaves a lasting impression.

Though there are no real surprises, King of The Zombies is a fun B film that does a great job with its limited resources. At 67 minutes, it never overstays its welcome; in fact, the narrative does a superb job building momentum. King of The Zombies must have done well at the box office since two years later it would spawn a sequel, Revenge of the Zombies. Ultimately, King of The Zombies is the type of film that you either embrace for what it is or quickly tune out.

Miss V From Moscow: Needing information about an upcoming attack, a Soviet spy who's a dead ringer for a dead Nazi spy assumes the other woman's identity.

Albert Herman directed Miss V From Moscow. He is also known for directing Sporting Chance, What Price Crime, The Black Coin, and Shake Hands with Murder.

Miss V From Moscow is an espionage film set in World War II behind enemy lines. Though it follows the familiar scenario of characters trying to disrupt the Nazis’ plans, its doppelganger premise requires a huge leap of faith. Another thing that makes the premise difficult to accept is how easily the Nazis accept her as the person she’s pretended to be, since she does no research about the woman.

All of the characters are one-dimensional, and there is no performance that stands out. The most notable cast member is Lola Lane (Murder on a Honeymoon); she portrays the protagonist, a Russian spy named Vera Marova. Lola Lane had four sisters who were actresses; her most famous sibling is Priscilla Lane (Arsenic and Old Lace).

For a film about spies who live in fear of being exposed, tense moments are few and far between. Though the narrative only clocks in at 66 minutes in length, it feels longer than it is. The predictable ending hampers things further, along with lethargic pacing. Ultimately, Miss V From Moscow is a by-the-numbers espionage film that commits the ultimate sin: it's boring.

King of The Zombies and Miss V From Moscow make their way to Blu-ray via underwhelming presentations.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Impact - VCI Entertainment (Blu-ray/DVD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1949
Director: Arthur Lubin
Writers: Dorothy Davenport, Jay Dratler
Cast: Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, Charles Coburn, Helen Walker, Anna May Wong

Release Date: January 21st, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 110 Minutes 50 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $24.95

"Millionaire industrialist, Walter Willams, has it all, power, money, success and a supposed, idyllic life with his young, beautiful wife, Irene. When a business trip to Denver arises, Walter decides to take his wife along, hoping to turn the scenic ride over the mountains via Lake Tahoe into a mini vacation. However, things begin to go awry when Irene claims she's ill and can't go but insists Walter give a ride to her poor "cousin," who is hitchhiking his way home to Evanston, Illinois. The "cousin" is actually Irene's lover, Jim Torrence, and he is there to carry out his and Irene's plot to murder Walter. But in a twist of fate, after Jim's attack upon Walter, and while Jim is fleeing the scene, he is killed in a head-on collision. Once the bloodied, very shaken, and very bewildered Walter awakens and pieces together what all had happened, he claims amnesia and goes into hiding, with the hope of somehow bringing Irene to justice.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 3.5/5

Impact comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 21.3 GB

Feature: 19.8 GB

There is no information provided about this transfer's source. Though there are a few minor source-damaged moments, the bulk of the transfer is in great shape. Image clarity and black levels are strong, compression is very good, and there does not appear to be any egregious digital filtering of the image.

Audio: 3/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English with removable English SDH. Though there is a mild background hiss, it is never overbearing; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. That said, range-wise, this audio track is satisfactory.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a photo gallery with music from the film playing in the background (poster/lobby cards/stills), and an audio commentary with Bernard M. Prokop, associate professor, Colorado Christian University. 

Included is a DVD that has the same content as the Blu-ray included with this combo release.

Summary:

Arthur Lubin directed the impact. He also directed The Phantom of the Opera, The Thief of Baghdad, and six Francis the Talking Mule films.

An unfaithful wife and her lover come up with a way to get rid of her husband. When things don’t go as planned, the wife becomes the lead suspect in her husband's murder.

Impact does a phenomenal job laying the foundation in its opening setup. It introduces the key characters: a loving husband who is oblivious to his wife's infidelities, a black widow wife, and her equally cold-blooded lover. The wife makes an excuse not to go on a trip with her husband. She convinces him to pick up her lover, disguised as her cousin, knowing he will be vulnerable on his long trip. Her lover is supposed to kill and make it look like an accident when the moment arrives.

Though it is the aforementioned crime that sets everything in motion, it is the cover-up that drives the narrative. The middle section of the narrative sees the wife go to jail for killing her husband, while he is still very much alive and recovering from a head injury. In the last act he reveals that he’s still alive, and instead of being grateful, his wife shifts the blame of her lover's death on him. Everything builds toward a final twist where the guilty party will finally be held accountable.

When it comes to performances, the cast is very good in their roles, especially Brian Donlevy (The Glass Key), who portrays the husband who narrowly escapes death. The other performance of note is Helen Walker’s (Brewster's Millions) pitch-perfect portrayal of the femme fatale wife. Notable cast members include Charles Coburn (The Devil and Miss Jones) in the role of the detective assigned to the murder, Ella Raines (Phantom Lady), who portrays a new love interest for the husband, and Anna May Wong (Daughter of Shanghai), who portrays the husband's housekeeper.

From a production standpoint, Impact is a film that does very well with its resources. There is one moment in Impact that comes up short; a car collides with a tanker, resulting in a painfully obvious miniature shot. Though the narrative has a few lulls, there are enough twists and turns that things never come to a halt. Impact is a film that firmly fits into the Film noir genre, and yet there are things about it that are not in line with what one expects from a Film noir. That said, the visuals lack the style that one associates with Film noir. Ultimately, Impact is a well-made Film noir that fans of this genre are sure to enjoy.

VCI Entertainment gives Impact a good release that comes with a serviceable audio/video presentation and an informative audio commentary.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens – Severin Films (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1979
Director: Russ Meyer
Writers: Roger Ebert, Russ Meyer
Cast: Kitten Natividad, Ann Marie, Ken Kerr, June Mack, Patrick Wright, Henry Rowland, Robert E. Pearson, Michael Finn, Sharon Hill, Don Scarborough, Aram Katcher, DeForest Covan, Steve Tracy, Uschi Digard, Stuart Lancaster, Candy Samples, John Furlong, Russ Meyer

Release Date: January 28th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 93 Minutes 2 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10+
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $59.95

"The final feature produced, photographed, edited and directed by Russ Meyer is a wicked take on Our Town, co-written by Meyer and Pulitzer Prize winner Roger Ebert (Beyond the Valley of the Dolls). Russ’ latter-day muse Francesca ‘Kitten’ Natividad stars – along with Uschi Digard, Ann Marie, June Mack, Candy Samples and Russ himself – in this unwashed look at Small Town, U.S.A., complete with faith healers, war criminals, bosom buddies and the loin-girding quest for sexual salvation." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (4K UHD), 4/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Because the original elements for Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens had been stored in less-than-optimal conditions, Severin Films devoted months to the painstaking restoration of its weather-damaged negative before scanning it in 4K and compiling over 2 hours of new and archival footage, all with the blessing and cooperation of The Russ Meyer Trust."

Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 60.4 GB

Feature: 59.3 GB

Though Severin Films has done a great job considering the source's limitations, it is not in as good of shape as the other two Russ Meyer films they recently released. There are instances of color variations and occasional instances where the image flickers; fortunately, these are very mild and never intrusive. Image clarity and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and the image retains an organic look. That said, the source is a noticeable improvement over all of this film's home media releases.

Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens comes on a 50 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 31.7 GB

Feature: 26.8 GB

This Blu-ray uses the same master that is used for the 4K UHD disc.

Audio: 4/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. Though Severin Films has done a great job considering the source's limitations, it is not in as good of shape as the other two Russ Meyer films they recently released. Though there are no issues with background hiss or sibilance, dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Range-wise ambient sounds are well-represented, and the score sounds appropriately robust. That said, not only does the audio sound better than ever, it is difficult to imagine it sounding any better.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 57 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), and an archival audio commentary with co-writer/producer/cinematographer/editor/director Russ Meyer.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include a theatrical trailer (1 minute 57 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), Talk It Over – Ellen Adelstein Interviews Russ Meyer For Her Tucson Talk Show In 1979 (23 minutes 28 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with Ellen Adelstein titled Still Talking It Over (7 minutes 20 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actress Kitten Natividad titled The Latin Brünhilde (17 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an archival audio commentary with Russ Meyer.

Other extras include a slipcover.

Summary:

The residents of Small Town USA are overcome by carnal delights.

Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens is the last film in a trilogy of Vixen films; the other two films are Vixen and Supervixens. Though the Vixen films are self-contained, Russ Meyer was one of the first filmmakers who created his own cinematic universe where characters would appear in multiple films. Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens is a sexy spoof of Our Town.

Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens marked the end of an era; it is the final theatrical feature film directed by Russ Meyer. A planned fourth Vixen film, titled The Jaws of Vixen, never materialized. Russ Meyer's output after Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens consists of a few documentaries and the unfinished mockumentary titled The Breast of Russ Meyer.

A narrator oversees the events, but some moments feel like vignettes loosely connected to the main story. The main focus of the narrative is a husband and a wife who are going through a rough patch. The wife has an insatiable sex drive; unfortunately, her husband can only get aroused when he backdoors her. Wanting to cure her husband of his anal fetish, the wife assumes another identity to lure and drug her husband so she can have her way with him. Other colorful characters in Small Town USA are a huge-breasted evangelical radio preacher, a dentist/marriage counselor, and a Nazi war criminal.

When it comes to the performances, it is not hard to get caught up in the cast's enthusiasm. Though the cast is filled with busty beauties, it is clear that Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens is a star vehicle for Kitten Natividad, Russ Meyer’s muse at that time. When her character is not wearing an Alice in Wonderland-like dress, she’s nude. She delivers a captivating performance that steals every moment she’s in. Other performances of note are Anne Marie, who portrays a huge-breasted evangelical radio preacher, and Uschi Digard, who reprises her role from Supervixens.

From a production standpoint, Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens takes all of the elements that have become synonymous with the cinema of Russ Meyer and turns them up to 11. The humor is tongue firmly in cheek, and it's laced with sexual innuendo. Visually, Russ Meyer always ensures his leading ladies ample assets are fully exploited, and once again he uses the beneath-the-mattress camera angle to great effect. The most surprising aspect of Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens is its choice of music; songs like That Old Time Religion, When the Saints Go Marching In, and The Ride of the Valkyries do a superb job of reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Russ Meyer delivers a highly entertaining swan song with Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens.

Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens gets a definitive release from Severin Films, highly recommended.

Note about the 4K screenshots: It is not possible to make Dolby Vision or HDR10 screenshots that faithfully match the experience of watching a film in motion on a TV. Instead of not having any screenshots, all of the 4K screenshots are m2ts taken with a MPC-HC player and lossless PNGs.

Written by Michael Den Boer