The Beast with Five Fingers – Warner Archive (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1946
Director: Robert Florey
Writers: Curt Siodmak, William Fryer Harvey, Harold Goldman
Cast: Robert Alda, Andrea King, Peter Lorre, Victor Francen, J. Carrol Naish, Charles Dingle, John Alvin, David Hoffman

Release Date: October 29th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 88 Minutes 53 seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $21.99

"Hillary Cummins (Lorre), the devoted secretary to wheelchair-bound piano virtuoso Francis Ingram (Victor Francen), has a passion for the occult. Pouring through every book on the supernatural he can find in Ingram's vast library, Hilary begins to imagine strange and terrifying things. But after Ingram's tragic death, the line between reality and unimaginable terror is blurred as the severed hand from Ingram's corpse begins killing everyone in the villa!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "New 4K restoration from the original camera negative."

The Beast with Five Fingers comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 26.6 GB

Feature: 24.1 GB

The source looks excellent; image clarity and compression are solid, contrast and black levels are strong throughout, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH subtitles. The audio is in great shape. The dialog comes through clearly and everything sounds balanced. Range wise, the audio sounds very good for a film of this vintage.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with author/film historian Dr. Steve Haberman and filmmaker/film historian Constantine Nar, and two Looney Toons cartoons: The Foxy Duckling (7 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), and The Gay Antics (6 minutes 26 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles).

Summary:

The Beast with Five Fingers was directed by Robert Florey, whose other notable Murders in the Rue Morgue, Daughter of Shanghai, and The Face Behind the Mask.

An eccentric old man's hand comes to life and exacts revenge when his heirs try to go against his last wishes.

The Beast with Five Fingers is told in a straightforward way that lacks the style present in many classic horror films by Universal and MGM in the 1930s. The narrative in the second half takes on a more Gothic feel than the first half, which introduces us to all the players with a more dramatic approach. That said, the moments with the disembodied hand are very effective.

Though the old man and his disembodied hand play a significant role in the story that unfolds, there are a few subplots involving other characters.  One of these subplots revolves around the old man’s nurse and his fear that she’s leaving with her hustler boyfriend. Another subplot revolves around the old man’s greedy brother and nephew. Rounding out this cast of characters is the old man’s personal assistant. Who of these characters benefits most from the old man's death?

Though most of the performances are satisfactory, there are a few that stand out. Victor Francen (J'accuse!) is menacing in the role of Francis Ingram, a crippled old man whose disembodied hand exacts his revenge, and J. Carrol Naish (Sahara), whose portrayal of a bumbling police commissioner provides comic relief. That said, as good as these two performances are, they pale in comparison to Peter Lorre’s portrayal of Francis Ingram’s assistant Hilary Cummins.

The Beast with Five Fingers reteams Peter Lorre with Robert Florey; they had previously worked together on The Face Behind the Mask. As mentioned before, the one performance that stands out head and shoulders with the rest of the cast is Peter Lorre's portrayal of Hilary Cummins, a neurotic character who has his own obsessions and is willing to do anything to protect them. He most excels during the scenes involving the disembodied hand. His knack for playing deranged characters most likely led to him being the type cast for most of his career. Very few actors have the skill that he did, which is capturing the essence of madness. Ultimately, The Beast with Five Fingers is an entertaining horror/thriller that features another solid performance from Peter Lorre.

The Beast with Five Fingers gets an excellent release from Warner Archive that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a trio of entertaining extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Paradise – Fun City Editions (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Canada, 1982
Director: Stuart Gillard
Writer: Stuart Gillard
Cast: Willie Aames, Phoebe Cates, Tuvia Tavi, Richard Curnock, Neil Vipond, Aviva Marks, Yosef Shiloach, Shoshana Duer, Jerry Rosen, Riki Halfon

Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 101 Minutes 58 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"In the nineteenth century Middle East, David (Willie Aames, TV's Eight Is Enough) and Sarah (Phoebe Cates, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) are the only survivors of a caravan massacre carried out by an infamous slave trader known as the Jackal (Tuvia Tavi, Sahara), who is obsessed with Sarah's beauty. Fleeing the Jackal, they stumble on a magical place they will come to know as "Paradise," where they discover refuge, sustenance...and each other." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "available for the first time on Blu-ray, in a new 4K restoration from its original 35mm camera negative."

Paradise comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 41.5 GB

Feature: 31.7 GB

The source looks excellent; colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic.

Audio: 4.5/5 (DTS-HD Stereo English - Pre-Release Sound Mix, DTS-HD Stereo English - Theatrical Sound Mix)

This release comes with two audio options, pre-release sound mix and theatrical sound mix. Both audio tracks are a DTS-HD stereo mix in English with removable English SDH subtitles. Both audio tracks are in great shape; they sound clean, balanced, and robust when they should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background (posters/advertisements/home video art/stills/Japanese press book), 3 radio spots (2 minutes 16 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a TV spot (42 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), red band theatrical trailer (2 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), green band theatrical trailer (2 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), isolated score track, an audio commentary with Nathaniel Thompson, reversible cover art with legacy artwork, and a 16-page booklet (first pressing only) with The Fun City Channel Guide, an essay titled “Sometimes if feels like we’re the only two people left in the world”: Paradise Lives on the Outskirts of the Sexual Awakening Films of the 1980s written by Amanda Reyes, an essay titled The “Theme from Paradise” written by Margaret Barton-Fumo, and cast & crew information.

Summary:

Two teens travel through the treacherous desert landscapes of the Middle East in search of civilization after their caravan is attacked and their families are killed. Along the way, they find their own paradise on the edge of the desert. Their newfound serenity is short-lived when The Jackal, a man who is obsessed with the girl, discovers where they are.

Though Paradise has been called a Blue Lagoon knock-off  because of its similarities to that film. It actually has just as much in common with Adam and Eve; the two teenagers' paradise is their garden of Eden. That said, any similarities and influences aside, Paradise is an engrossing film that stands well on its own.

Set in the 1800s, Paradise is a period adventure/romance film that mostly takes place in desolate desert landscapes. Also, Paradise does a phenomenal job reinforcing the two teenagers' isolation as they travel across landscapes foreign to them. When it comes to the moments where the two teenagers have found their paradise, these offer a stark contrast to the bleakness that dominates most of the narrative.

Though there are secondary characters who help further the narrative along, the only substantial performances are Willie Aames (Zapped!) and Phoebe Cates (Fast Times at Ridgemont High) in the roles of David and Sarah. With limited resources given to them, they both put in strong performances, significantly enhanced by their onscreen chemistry. Another performance of note is Tuvia Tavi's menacing portrayal of The Jackal, a slave trader who becomes obsessed with possessing Sarah.

Paradise relies more on exploitative moments than on big, dramatic ones that pull at your heart strings. There are numerous shots of the two leads' backsides, some full frontal nudity, and many moments where Phoebe Cates is scantily clad. That said, Willie Aames and Phoebe Cates were both unhappy with the final version of Paradise, which included additional, more explicit moments of nudity.

From a production standpoint, Paradise is a film that maximizes its resources. Though there is a familiarity to the story that unfolds, the narrative does a superb job holding your attention and building momentum towards a very satisfying finale. Despite relying on exploitative elements, the result is a film that never feels sleazy. Ultimately, Paradise is an unfairly maligned film and a must-see if you're a fan of Phoebe Cates.

Paradise gets an exceptional release from Fun City Editions that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Heavenly Bodies – Fun City Editions (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Canada, 1984
Director: Lawrence Dane
Writers: Lawrence Dane, Ron Base
Cast: Cynthia Dale, Richard Rebiere, Walter George Alton, Laura Henry, Stuart Stone, Patricia Idlette, Pam Henry, Linda Sorensen, Cec Linder, Micki Moore

Release Date: November 12th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 89 Minutes 35 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"Music, workouts, melodrama, and of course lots of heavenly bodies mix, mesh, bump and grind in this contemporary story of not giving in and winning on your own terms. In the middle of it all is pretty Samantha (Cynthia Dale, My Bloody Valentine), a young mother and secretary who dreams of running her own workout club. She's on her way to getting her wish, and with it a second chance at love, when it all starts to go bad because she refuses to buckle under a wealthy competitor. When he tries to buy her out and destroy her growing business, she in turn fights back by publicly challenging him to a televised marathon workout, winner take all! And so, to the tune of driving dance music the battle of the bods is on. Samantha's happiness, success and dreams are all riding on her ability to withstand a grueling physical contest that also tests her determination, emotional strength and capacity for love." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "worldwide Blu-ray debut from a new 4K restoration of its original 35mm internegative."

Heavenly Bodies comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 37 GB

Feature: 25.9 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity and black levels are solid, compression is very good, and the image always looks organic.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD stereo mix in English with removable English SDH subtitles. The audio is in great shape; it sounds clean, balanced, and robust when it should.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an image gallery with music from the film playing in the background (posters/home video art/stills/Japanese press book), an interview with actress Cynthia Dale titled A Little Bit of Gold Dust (14 minutes 2 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Millie De Chirico and Jeffrey Mixed, reversible cover art with legacy artwork, and a 16-page booklet (first pressing only) with The Fun City Channel Guide, an essay titled Technicolor Torontopia written by Nathan Holmes, an essay titled Heavenly Bodies written by Margaret Barton-Fumo, and cast & crew information.

Summary:

A single mother with two friends opens a workout club named Heavenly Bodies. From there, they quickly establish Heavenly Bodies, a formidable business that puts them in the crosshairs of a rival workout establishment. Everything comes to a head when the rival business buys their leases, forcing them to shut down. Not ready to throw in the towel, the owner of Heavenly Bodies challenges their rivals to a winner-take-all competition.

While watching Heavenly Bodies, a film like Flashdance instantly springs to mind. There is even a moment where the protagonist stands in front of a Flashdance poster. Though both films have similarities, calling Heavenly Bodies a Flashdance knockoff would be grossly unfair. That said, Heavenly Bodies has a strong story, making it stand out from other 1980s dance-themed films.

An engaging story driven by its protagonist makes Heavenly Bodies work so well. Cynthia Dale (My Bloody Valentine) portrays the protagonist, a woman named Samantha. Her performance is exceptional not only when it comes to dramatic moments but also when it comes to the dance sequences. That said, her performance is so phenomenal that it overshadows the rest of the cast.

Besides being part of a 1980s dance-themed film cycle, Heavenly Bodies also has some elements in common with Rocky. Both films are about underdogs, and they both have protagonists whose determination helps them overcome physical pain. When it comes to the dance sequences, they are extremely well executed and intense. And though there are likely moments where a stunt double stands in for Cynthia Dale, the way that Heavenly Bodies edits the dancing makes it look like she does most of the heavy lifting.

Everything about Heavenly Bodies screams 1980s, notably the soundtrack and the look of the film. Its fast-moving narrative is sure to get your heart pumping and the blood flowing. And though the dancing side of the protagonist's life is the main focal point, the narrative does a superb job balancing career ambitions with personal life. Ultimately, Heavenly Bodies is one of the better films to emerge from the 1980s dance theme film cycle.

Heavenly Bodies gets an excellent release from Fun City Editions that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever!: Collector's Edition – MVD Rewind Collection (Blu-ray)

Release Date: USA, 2022, 2023
Director: Roger Lay Jr.

Release Date: November 5th, 2024
Approximate running time: 163 Minutes 30 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen / 1080 Interlaced / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD 5.1 English, DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $39.95

"MVD Rewind Collection is proud to present "1982: GREATEST GEEK YEAR EVER!" in its original, unedited feature length form for the first time!

1982: GREATEST GEEK YEAR EVER! is an epic documentary about the greatest geek year in films, 1982, featuring stars, directors, writers, producers and pop culture historians sharing their insights about such legendary movies as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Blade Runner, John Carpenter's The Thing, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Poltergeist, Creepshow, Night Shift, The Dark Crystal, 48 Hours, First Blood, Tron, Conan The Barbarian, Cat People, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, The Road Warrior, and much, much more.

Filled with exclusive interviews, rare behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive never-before-seen clips (including Henry Winkler's home movies from the set of Night Shift) in a fun, lively, no holds barred celebration of the legendary movie-going year of 1982. "1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever!" takes viewers behind- the-scenes to a time when fandom was in its infancy, featuring eye-opening interviews with Ron Howard, Paul Schrader, John Sayles, Amy Heckerling, Henry Winkler, William Shatner, Sean Young, Joanna Cassidy, Keith David, Cameron Crowe, Michael Deeley, Lisa Henson, Dean Devlin, Bruce Campbell, Dee Wallace, Felicia Day, Susan Seidelman, Roger Corman, Barry Bostwick, Marc Singer, Bryan Fuller, Leonard Maltin, Mike Medavoy and more, in front of and behind the camera, from some of the biggest and most influential movies ever made!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video:

1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever! comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.7 GB

Feature: 32.7 GB

This documentary uses film clips, on-set footage, and other archival materials, and the quality varies. That said, the newly filmed interviews look the best.

Audio:

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD 5.1 mix in English and a DTS-HD stereo mix in English. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Included are removable English SDH.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a trailer (58 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), deleted/extended scenes (41 minutes 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), The Fans Speak: Fans Favorite Films Featurette (16 minutes 51 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), 2022 San Diego Comic-Con Panel (28 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with director/producer Roger Lay, Jr. and writer/producer Mark A. Altman, an audio commentary with producers Scott Mantz, Thomas P. Vitale and Mark A. Altman, a collectible mini poster (limited to first pressing), and a slipcover (limited to first pressing).

Other extras include trailers for One Dark Night, Swamp Thing, The House on Sorority Row, Liar's Moon, The Last American Virgin, and Mortuary.

Summary:

This documentary begins by exploring how the movie-watching experience differs now vs. 1982. Where everything is now at your fingertips, in 1982 going to the cinema to watch a movie was an event. They also discuss how the movie-making process has changed since the 1980s. From there, the discussion focuses on the biggest films from 1982.

In 1982, there were two Steven Spielberg films that were released one week apart; Blade Runner and The Thing were released on the same day, and it was a year where sci-fi cinema in particular excelled. 1982 was peak time for teen sex comedies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Porky's, and The Last American Virgin. That said, the films of 1982 were one of the most diverse slates of titles in Hollywood’s history.

Content wise, this documentary is a mix of talking heads providing their opinions and background information about the films discussed. Though most information about these films will be known by cinema enthusiasts, this is not a deal breaker since this is a documentary that leans heavily on nostalgia. Ultimately, 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever! is a fun trip down memory lane that cinema enthusiasts should thoroughly enjoy.

MVD Rewind Collection gives 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever! a solid release, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story – MVD Visual (DVD)

Release Date: USA, 2023
Directors: Michael Thomas Determan, Tom Rosy

Release Date: October 8th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 84 Minutes 39 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region 1 NTSC
Retail Price: $14.95

"For two years filmmakers followed members of the 501st's Midwest Garrison to investigate why people say they are "Bad Guys Doing Good". These Star Wars costumers may be big kids at heart, but through their fandom, they go above an beyond for those who not only love Star Wars, but those who also need a little help. Through hospital visits, charity events, a musical number with "Weird Al", and many more excursions, you'll see how these "nerds dressing up as plastic spacemen" are able to bring joy, while wiping tears away from the cheeks of those who need it most." - Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video:

Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story comes of a single layer DVD.

Disc Size: 3.9 GB

The source looks great, and image clarity is strong.

Audio:

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds clear and balanced throughout.

Extras:

Extras for this release are limited to a trailer (1 minute 46 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles).

Summary:

Star Wars is arguably cinema’s most recognizable film franchise. Star Wars is a cultural phenomenon that transcends language and other barriers. That said, though there have been many documentaries that explored Star Wars fandom, Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story does not tread on familiar ground.

At the heart of Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story are the 501st Legion of Star Wars enthusiasts. The opening moments of Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story establish what is a legion and how one is formed. From there, things shift towards background stories of the 501st Legion, followed by the activities of the 501st Legion, which include charity work. This documentary also explores the positive impact that the 501st Legion has had on others.

Another area that this documentary dives into is the work that goes into building a costume. A lot of information is covered in 84 minutes, and it's always engaging. Another strength of this documentary is everyone’s enthusiasm. Ultimately, Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story is a story about connecting with others.

MVD Visual's Behind the Bucket: A Garrison Story release delivers a strong audio/video presentation, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Hollywood 90028 – Grindhouse Releasing (Blu-ray/CD Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1973
Director: Christina Hornisher
Writer: Christina Hornisher
Cast: Christopher Augustine, Jeannette Dilger, Dick Glass, Gayle Davis, Ralph Campbell, Kia Cameron, Dianna Huntress, Beverly Walker, Melonie Haller

Release Date: November 28th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 87 Minutes 29 seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $49.95

"Mark (Christopher Augustine) is a disturbed loner who toils in the sub-basement of the movie business as a cameraman shooting porno films for swinish boss Jobal (Dick Glass). In his off hours, Mark prowls the peep shows and strip clubs of Los Angeles to prey on random young women who he picks up and strangles to death. When Mark pursues a romantic interest in Michelle (Jeannette Dilger), a model who he films in one of Jobal's sleazy movies, the grim reality behind the fantasy leads the frustrated cinematographer to shoot a different kind of Hollywood ending." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Spectacular new 4K restoration created from the original 35mm camera negative."

Hollywood 90028 comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 44.8 GB

Feature: 23.9 GB

The source looks excellent; any print debris that remains is minor. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look very good, black levels are strong, compression is solid, and the image always looks organic. That said, this is an exemplary presentation of an obscure film.

Audio: 5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio sounds great; there are no issues with background hiss or distortion, dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Range-wise, this audio track does a superb job handling ambient sounds, and the score sounds appropriately robust. That said, I can’t imagine the audio sounding better than it does here.

Extras:

Extras for this release are spread over two discs.

Extras on disc one include stills galleries: Publicity (21 images), Drive-In Asylum Newspaper Ad Gallery (radio spots for the film play in the background), Christina Hornisher (21 images), Cast Photos (15 images), Cover Art by Jerry Martinez (67 images), and Adult Bookshop (an interactive image gallery), a theatrical trailer for Hollywood 90028 (1 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a theatrical trailer under the alternate title Hollywood Hillside Strangler (35 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), radio spots for Hollywood Hillside Strangler (58 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a collection of onset footage titled The Cameraman Outtakes (3 minutes 12 seconds, Dolby Digital mono with music from the film playing in the background), Alternate X-rated Cuts: The Simple Story (2 minutes 53 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), Darkroom 2 (1 minute 55 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), and Love Montage (3 minutes 45 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an alternate version of Hollywood 90028 titled Twisted Throats, 84 minutes 46 seconds, 1.85:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Marc E. Heuck and Heidi Honeycutt, an audio commentary with Shawn Langrick that focuses on the locations, and a trailer gallery for other films also available from Grindhouse Releasing.

Easter Eggs on disc one are a Q&A from 2024 with Christopher Augustine and Gayle Davis at the American Cinematheque in Hollywood, this can be found on the main menu (47 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an interview with filmmaker Buddy Giovinazzo, this can be found on the main menu (3 minutes 38 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles).

Extras on the second Blu-ray disc include a documentary titled Hollywood Dreams: The Making of Hollywood 90028, features interviews with editor Leon Ortiz-Gil, and actors Christopher Augustine, Jeanette Sears, and Gayle Davis (68 minutes 31 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a Q&A from 2022 titled Christopher Augustine at the New Beverly (38 minutes 29 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with filmmaker Tom DeSimone titled Tom and Tina: The Early Years (24 minutes 47 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), short films directed by Christina Hornisher: 4 x 8 = 16 (2 minutes 52 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), The Sun is Long (6 minutes, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), And On the Sixth Day (5 minutes 11 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), and Sister of the Bride (21 minutes 17 seconds, 1.33:1 aspect ratio, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), and a split-screen now and then locations featurette titled Los Angeles: Here and Gone (4 minutes 14 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles).

Easter Eggs on disc two are a clip from a TV show show called Disco Teen, this can be found via Production Credits (7 minutes 11 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), and a short film starring Dick Glass titled The Erotic Director, this can be found on the main menu (30 minutes 17 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles).

Other extras include reversible cover art, a slipcase, a CD with composer Basil Poledouris’ 14-track score and three bonus tracks, and a 28-page booklet with a forward about Hollywood 90028 written by Jim VanBebber, an essay titled Christina Hornisher: Alone with that Obscene Image of Yourself written by Marc E. Heuck,  an essay titled Dick Glass: The Elephant in the Room written by David Szulkin, and an essay titled Basil Poledouris; a Musical Love Letter from Beyond written by Richard Kraft.

Summary:

Christina Hornisher directed Hollywood 90028, which is the only feature film in her filmography; the rest consist of short films and a TV film.

A struggling photographer working as a cameraman in the pron industry takes out his frustrations on women by strangling them.

Hollywood 90028 is also known by the more salacious titles The Hollywood Hillside Strangler and Twisted Throats. These alternate titles give the impression that this is an exploitation film, when in reality it's an arthouse film with some grindhouse elements. Though its opening set-up sets the bar high, what follows is a long stretch; the narrative moves at a deliberate pace as characters do mundane things.

What is Hollywood 90028? Is it a horror film? Is it a psychological melodrama? The answer is both of these things. A character study with horror elements is the best way to describe Hollywood Number 90028. That said, though the horror elements take a backseat to the character-driven moments, there’s never a shortage of unsettling moments.

For most of the cast, Hollywood 90028 was the first film, or they had limited onscreen credits. Though none of the cast have more than six acting credits, the performances actually work well within the confines of the story that unfolds. Christopher Augustine, who portrays the protagonist, bears a lot of weight since his character is in every moment. He delivers a strong performance that shines brightest in the moments he shares with Jeannette Dilger, whose character is a love interest for the protagonist.

Despite there being long stretches where little happens outside of the ordinary, that is not to say that Hollywood 90028 is not a beautifully photographed film. Another draw for many is its location, Los Angeles in the early 1970s. Hollywood 90028 offers a time capsule view of Los Angeles that now feels so distant. Even the famous Hollywood sign plays a significant role in the story that unfolds.

From a production standpoint, Hollywood 90028 is a technically sound film. It is a shame that Christina Hornisher did not make another feature film. Also, despite porn being one of the backstories, what appears on screen never goes beyond softcore erotica. Ultimately, Hollywood 90028 is a deceptive film that, viewed through the right lens, can be an engrossing character study.

Grindhouse Releasing has put together an impressive release that comes with a wealth of extras, notably all of Christina Hornisher’s contributions as a director. This release makes for a definitive presentation with its solid audio/video content, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer