Mystics in Bali – Mondo Macabro (DVD)

Theatrical Release Date: Indonesia, 1981
Director: H. Tjut Djalil
Writers: Putra Mada, Jimmy Atmaja
Cast: Ilona Agathe Bastian, Yos Santo, Sofia W.D., W.D. Mochtar, Debbie Cinthya Dewi

Release Date: October 2nd, 2007
Approximate Running Time: 86 Minutes 35 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Mono English
Subtitles: N/A
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $24.95

"The film tells the story of a young American woman who goes to Asia in search of the secrets of ancient magic. One night in the forest, she encounters a female member of the terrifying cult of Leyak. She agrees to become the Leyak’s disciple and begins to indulge in many strange and savage rites. But the Leyak witch has secret plans for her young acolyte. Plans that culminate in one of the most bizarre and shocking scenes in all horror cinema." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Brand new anamorphic HD transfer from the negative".

Mystics in Bali comes of a single layer DVD.

Disc Size: 4.6 GB

The source looks great; colors look correct, image clarity is strong, black levels are not always convincing, and any compression-related issues are not a deal-breaker.

Audio: 3.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a Dolby Digital mono mix in English. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and this audio track is satisfactory range-wise. 

Extras:

Extras for this release include a Mondo Macabro preview reel, a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 34 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), a text based extra titled Mystics in Bali & The Indonesian Exploitation Movie written by Pete Tombs, a filmography for director H. Tjut Djalil, and a text based extra titled How to Become a Leak!.

Summary:

H. Tjut Djalil directed Mystics in Bali. He is also known for directing The Warrior and the Ninja, Lady Terminator, and Dangerous Seductress.

An American interested in the exotic world of Asian magic makes a pact with a witch to learn the secrets of becoming a Leyak. Now that she has discovered the secrets of a forbidden and rarely seen world, will she be able to return to her former life?

Black magic is a familiar theme that runs throughout Asian cinema. And just when you thought that you had seen it all when it comes to black magic, along comes a film like Mystics in Bali. The premise of an outsider looking into a world that is foreign to them is superbly realized. That said, if you are looking for action, adventure, romance, horror, and just anything remotely bizarre, then Mystics of Bali is a film that will surely get your juices flowing.

For a film that's filled with the unusual, nothing stands out more than its leading lady, Ilona Agathe Bastian. Reportedly, she was a German tourist with no acting experience who was discovered by the producer's wife. She has an exotic quality about her that makes her stand apart from the rest of the cast. That said, Mystics in Bali is not a film that one watches because of its performances.

Despite featuring a very eastern subject matter, Mystics of Bali was the first Indonesian horror film that was made for a western audience. I have seen about 20 Indonesian films up to now, and all of them showcase an extravagant presentation rather than focusing on realism. This most definitely holds true to Mystics of Bai, a film that has all of these traits in spades.

From a production standpoint, despite there being areas where Mystics of Bali is not flawless, notably when it comes to its special effects sequences, for the most part, Mystics of Bali comes out far ahead of its limited resources. The narrative does an excellent job balancing explosion moments with its more outlandish moments. The most memorable moments are the scenes where the protagonist's detached head floats around and drinks the blood of babies in their mothers womb. Ultimately, Mystics of Bali is a truly unique cinematic experience that deserves its reputation as one of the best films ever to come out of Indonesia.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in Indonesian cinema, with Severin Films and Terror Vision releasing several films on Blu-ray. There has even been some talk that Mondo Macabro might be releasing some Indonesian films on Blu-ray. It has been 16 years since Mondo Macabro released Mystics in Bali on DVD. Hopefully it is a film that they might upgrade to Blu-ray, or maybe another boutique label will give it a much-needed updated audio/video presentation.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Off Balance (Phantom of Death) – Cauldron Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1987
Director: Ruggero Deodato
Writers: Gianfranco Clerici, Vincenzo Mannino, Gigliola Battaglini
Cast: Michael York, Edwige Fenech, Donald Pleasence, Mapi Galán, Fabio Sartor, Caterina Boratto, Giovanni Lombardo Radice, Gianni Franco, Marino Masé

Release Date: July 9th, 2024
Approximate running time: 91 Minutes 57 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Stereo Italian, DTS-HD Stereo English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region A
Retail Price: $29.95

"When a mysterious disease befalls young, virtuosic pianist Robert Dominici (Michael York — Austin Powers), he begins a violent, murderous rampage taunting authorities with his whereabouts. As Robert’s brain and body rapidly decay, Inspector Datti (Donald Pleasence — Halloween, American Rickshaw) must race to find him before he kills again!" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "2K restoration from the negative."

Off Balance (Phantom of Death) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 33.3 GB

Feature: 26.5 GB

The source looks excellent; flesh tones look healthy, 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 Italian, DTS-HD Stereo English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD stereo mix in Italian and a DTS-HD 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 English subtitles for the Italian language track, English SDH subtitles for the English language track, and English subtitles when watching the English language track for newspaper text in Italian. It should be noted that subtitles can only be chosen via the audio setup menu, and they cannot be turned off while watching the main feature. Also, you cannot toggle between the two audio options while watching the main feature.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a reversible cover art, English language theatrical trailer (3 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Italian language theatrical trailer (3 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian, no subtitles), an interview with director Ruggero Deodato titled An Uncommon Director (32 minutes 50 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with film historians Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth.

Extras not carried over from the limited edition release for this standard edition release include a CD with Pino Donaggio's score and a slipcase.

Summary:

Ruggero Deodato directed Off Balance (Phantom of Death). He is also known for directing Live Like a Cop, Die Like a Man, House on the Edge of the Park, and Cannibal Holocaust. He started his career as a second unit director, working with Sergio Corbucci and Antonio Margheriti before becoming a director. When the Italian film industry's resources dried up in the 1980s, Ruggero Deodato, like many of his contemporaries, took on films with anemic budgets instead. That said, none of his post-Cannibal Holocaust works achieved the level of quality or success, though some of them have moments that are undeniably Ruggero Deodato.

The narrative revolves around a renowned pianist who suffers from a rare genetic disorder that rapidly ages him. Driven by homicidal rage due to a side effect of his disease, will the police catch him before old age?

The premise is full of possibilities, and Ruggero Deodato does a great job exploring all avenues. And though Off Balance (Phantom of Death) has all the elements that one would expect from an Italian thriller, its intriguing premise and how it immediately reveals the killer's identity set it apart from its contemporaries. That said, when it comes to the kill scenes, they are stylish and filled with the type of carnage that are hallmarks of the Italian thriller genre.

When it comes to Italian-genre cinema, something that you can almost always count on is its ability to put together a cast of recognizable faces. The standout performance is Michael York’s portrayal of the aging pianist. He delivers a remarkable performance in which you feel sympathy for his character despite their actions. Edwige Fenech, who was at her peak in the 1970s and early 1980s, delivers one of his best performances from that latter part of her career. And Donald Pleasence delivers another hysteria-driven performance that fits perfectly with the story that unfolds.

Reportedly, Ruggero Deodato felt no connection to Off Balance (Phantom of Death), calling it his least favorite film, simply a work for hire. And yet, it is a well-polished film, beautifully photographed, and effectively paced. Pino Donaggio once again delivers an exemplary score that does a phenomenal job reinforcing the mood. Ultimately, Off Balance (Phantom of Death) is a solid film and one of the better post-1970s Italian thrillers.

Off Balance (Phantom of Death) gets an excellent release from Cauldron Films that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and a pair of informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Rat Man – Cauldron Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1988
Director: Giuliano Carnimeo
Writers: Dardano Sacchetti, Elisa Briganti
Cast: David Warbeck, Janet Agren, Eva Grimaldi, Luisa Menon, Werner Pochath, Nelson de la Rosa, Anna Silvia Grullon, Pepito Guerra, Jose Reies, Victor Pujols Faneyte, Franklin Dominguez

Release Date: August 13th, 2024
Approximate running time: 82 Minutes 1 Second
Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $29.95

"After her fashion model sister is brutally murdered on a tropical island, Terry (Janet Agren, City of the Living Dead), flies out to investigate the shocking crime. As the mystery deepens, Terry and her new friend Fred (David Warbeck, The Last Hunter) quickly find that there is a killer on the loose!  As the body count mounts, the survivors work desperately to out-maneuver the shadowy monster that is hunting them down one by one. Could it be Dr. Olman’s deadly genetic experiment has escaped from captivity, or is it just a typical knife-wielding psychopath?" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "4K restoration from the negative."

Rat Man comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 29 GB

Feature: 22.3 GB

The source looks excellent; Cauldron Films have done a remarkable job. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image retains an organic look. That said, the grain looks thicker in some of the darker scenes.

Audio: 3.75/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and this audio track is satisfactory range-wise. That said, the audio is an improvement over Shameless Films DVD release, and it is the best this film has sounded on home media.

Extras:

Extras for this release include reversible cover art, a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 8 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an interview with cinematographer Roberto Girometti titled Lighting the Rat Man (16 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an interview with camera operator Federico Del Zoppo titled Framing the Rat Man (17 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), an audio interview with post-production consultant Alberto De Martino titled Just a Fin (6 minutes 35 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with non-removable English subtitles), and an audio commentary with film historians Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth, and Nathaniel Thompson.

Extras not carried over from the limited edition release for this standard edition release include a CD with Stefano Mainetti 's score, a double sided poster and a slipcase.

Summary:

Giuliano Carnimeo, under the alias Anthony Ascot, directed Rat Man. He made notable films such as The Case of the Bloody Iris, Anna: The Pleasure, the Torment, and Convoy Buddies.

The narrative revolves around a woman who flies down to a Caribbean island to identify her murdered sister. Shortly after her arrival, she meets a novelist, who goes with her to the morgue to ID her sister. Unfortunately, the police have mistakenly identified the dead woman, and from there, the novelist helps the woman look for her missing sister.

Rat Man’s tagline, “He’s The Critter from the Shitter!” perfectly sums this film up; it is a by-the-numbers horror film that has an ample amount of gory kills. And though director Giuliano Carnimeo does a great job capturing the mayhem and carnage that unfolds, it is hard to look past Rat Man’s shortcomings, notably a lethargic pacing, which makes its 82-minute length feel much longer than it actually is.

When it comes to the cast, this is one area where Rat Man cannot be faulted. It features several recognizable faces from 1970s and 80s Italian genre cinema like David Warbeck (The Beyond), Janet Agren (Eaten Alive! ), and Werner Pochath (The Cat o' Nine Tails). One of Rat Man’s biggest assets is Eva Grimaldi's (Convent of Sinners) portrayal of the missing sister. Her character is a model, and she spends most of her screen time looking beautiful and not saying that much. Her character even has a gratuitous shower scene. The other main attraction of Rat Man is Nelson de la Rosa, who portrays the title character. He’s perfectly cast, and this film comes alive every time his character appears on screen.

It is safe to say that no one can honestly call Rat Man a good film. It is a text-book example of exploitation cinema; not only does it play into this genre's staples—plenty of bloodshed and T&A—it is a film that plays its gimmick, its 4th leading man, for its worth. Ultimately, Rat Man is a typical low-budget 1980s Italian horror film.

Rat Man gets a solid release from Cauldron Films that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and a wealth of extras, recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast): Limited Edition – Raro Video UK (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: UK/Italy, 1966
Director: Michael Reeves
Writers: Michael Reeves, Mel Welles, Charles B. Griffith, F. Amos Powell
Cast: Barbara Steele, John Karlsen, Ian Ogilvy, Mel Welles, Joe 'Flash' Riley, Richard Watson, Edward B. Randolph, Peter Grippe, Lucretia Love

Release Date: July 29th, 2024
Approximate running time: 79 Minutes 4 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"A young British couple, Philip (Ian Ogilvy, Death Becomes Her) and Veronica (Barbara Steele, Black Sunday), are honeymooning in the remote village of Vaubrac, Transylvania. After reluctantly booking into a sleazy guesthouse, the couple encounter Von Helsing (John Karlsen, Slaughter Hotel), a direct descendant of the legendary vampire-hunter, who tells them the town was placed under a curse over 200 years ago, following the brutal execution of Vardella, a grotesque figure accused of witchcraft. Dismissing his story, the couple plan to leave the next morning – but a mysterious car accident is the catalyst for the return of Vardella and a murderous rampage of revenge…" - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.25/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “High Definition digital transfer from the original camera negative".

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 31.7 GB

Feature: 22.7 GB

The source is in great shape; flesh tones look healthy, colors are nicely saturated, black levels are strong, image clarity and compression are solid, and the image is free of any digital filtering.

Audio: 4.25/5 (LPCM Mono Italian), 4/5 (LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, an LPCM mono mix in Italian and an LPCM mono mix in English. The English language track is a noticeable improvement over the audio track Raro used for their 2017 Blu-ray release. Both audio tracks sound clear, balanced, and robust. That said, there are a few minor source imperfections on the English language track. Included are removable English subtitles for the Italian language track and removable English SDH for the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include an archival audio interview with actress Barbara Steele titled A Bloody Journey to Italy (28 minutes 30 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor Ian Ogilvy (12 minutes 57 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with author and film critic Kim Newman (19 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an archival audio commentary with producer Paul Maslansky, Ian Ogilvy and Barbara Steele, moderated by filmmaker David Gregory, reversible cover art, and a 16-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) with cast & crew information, and an essay titled She Beasts, Slapstick and Siegel Shots: Michael Reeves and the Revenge of the Blood Beast written by Kevin Lyons. 

Summary:

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) was directed by Michael Reeves, who would die tragically from a drug overdose just a few years after completing the film at the very young age of 25. In his all-too-brief career, Michael Reeves would also direct The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General. The score for the U.S. version was composed by Ralph Ferraro (Flesh Gordon), while the original score was composed by Paul Ferris, who also wrote scores for Michael Reeves' two other films, The Sorcerers and Witchfinder General.

Newlyweds on vacation in Transylvania have their honeymoon interrupted when their car loses control and falls into a lake. A two-hundred-year-old spirit, having drowned centuries ago in the same lake, takes over the body of the wife, leaving her husband with only slight bruises. An eccentric old man named Count von Helsing tries to help the husband find his missing wife; he believes that a two-hundred-year-old spirit has taken possession of her.

Despite being shot on a shoestring budget, the end result is a film that far exceeds the sum of its parts. For the first time, director Michael Reeves does a remarkable job when it comes to the performances and the visuals. In regards to the latter, Michael Reeves takes full advantage of the 2.35:1 scope frame. The most memorable moment is a scene where a witch is drowned; this moment foreshadows Michael Reeves' Witchfinder General.

The narrative takes many familiar cliches and names from other horror films. And despite retreading familiar territory, the narrative is an entertaining romp that manages to remain engaging throughout its duration. That said, the anticlimactic ending feels rushed. Also, at 79 minutes in length, Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is a film that never overstays its welcome.

The performances are much better than they should be, and in several instances they exceed expectations, especially Mel Welles’ (Lady Frankenstein) portrayal of Ladislav Groper, a peeping Tom motel owner. Of course the main draw is Barbara Steele (Black Sunday) in the role of the wife. The main attraction of Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is Barbara Steele (Black Sunday) in the role of the wife. And though her screen time is limited, she’s in some of the most memorable moments.

Though billed as a horror film, Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is actually a satisfying blend of horror and humor. The newlyweds' interactions with the Transylvania locals are the source of the humor. Unfortunately, when it comes to moments of fright Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) has few to offer. Ultimately, Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is a flawed but entertaining film that greatly benefits from Barbara Steele’s participation.

Revenge of the Blood Beast (The She Beast) is another solid release from Raro UK, who continue to best their U.S. releases, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Message from Space – Eureka Video (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Japan, 1978
Director: Kinji Fukasaku
Writers: Kinji Fukasaku, Shotaro Ishinomori, Hirô Matsuda, Masahiro Noda
Cast: Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba, Vic Morrow, Philip Casnoff, Peggy Lee Brennan, Etsuko Shihomi, Tetsurô Tanba, Mikio Narita, Makoto Satô, Seizô Fukumoto, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jerry Itô, Isamu Shimizu, Masazumi Okabe, Noboru Mitani, Hideyo Amamoto, Junkichi Orimoto, Harumi Sone

Release Date: July 22nd, 2024
Approximate running time: 105 Minutes 26 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: PG (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Japanese, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £17.99 (UK)

"Somewhere in a far flung galaxy lies the planet of Jillucia. Once a peaceful utopia, it has now fallen under the control of the Gavanas Empire, a warlike race ruled by the ruthless Emperor Rockseia (Mikio Narita). Desperate for help, the leader of the Jillucian people (Junkichi Orimoto) launches eight Liabe seeds into space – glowing orbs that, according to legend, will each summon a powerful warrior to the planet’s aid. The seeds are followed into the void by Princess Emeralida (Shihomi) and loyal Jillucian soldier Urocco (Makoto Satō), who attempt to find the prophesied protectors of their home world: ex-military commander General Garuda (Morrow) and his robot companion Beba-2 (Isamu Shimizu), thrill-seekers Shiro (Hiroyuki Sanada) and Aaron (Philip Casnoff), gambler Jack (Masazumi Okabe), aristocrat Meia (Peggy Lee Brennan) and swordsman Hans (Chiba), who has a deeply personal score to settle with the Gavanas Empire." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information given about the transfers, "a restoration of the original film elements supplied by Toei".

Message from Space comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.6 GB

Feature: 31.8 GB

The source looks excellent, flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and there are no issues with digital noise reduction. That said, this new transfer is a substantial improvement over the Shout! Factory 2016 Blu-ray release.

Audio: 4.5/5 (LPCM Mono Japanese), 3.75/5 (LPCM Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Japanese and a LPCM mono mix in English. Though both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced, the Japanese language track sounds noticeably more robust than the English language track. Included are removable English subtitles for the Japanese language track and removable English subtitles for Japanese text when watching with the English language track.

Extras:

Extras for this release include stills gallery #1 (26 images - promotional images), stills gallery #2 (74 images - behind-the-scenes), U.S. theatrical trailer 2 minutes 50 seconds, LPCM mono English, no subtitles), Japanese theatrical trailer #1 - Filming Begins (2 minutes, LPCM mono English with Japanese text and non-removable English subtitles), Japanese theatrical trailer #2 - News Flash (2 minutes 7 seconds, LPCM mono English and Japanese with Japanese text and non-removable English subtitles), Japanese theatrical trailer #3 - Wide Release (4 minutes 8 seconds, LPCM mono English and Japanese with Japanese text and non-removable English subtitles), an archival featurette titled Message from Earth, featuring interviews with Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba and Kenta Fukasaku (30 minutes 15 seconds, LPCM stereo Japanese with removable English subtitles), an appreciation by film writer Patrick Macias titled Ah! Message from Space (14 minutes 26 seconds, LPCM stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Tom Mes, reversible cover art, a reversible poster (limited to 2,000 copies), an O-card slipcase (limited to 2,000 copies), and a 20-page booklet with cast & crew information, an essay titled Fukasaku’s Fantasy The Joy of Message from Space written by Christopher Stewardson, and information about the transfer titled Notes on Viewing.

Summary:

A planet’s only hope for survival from a hostile invader is in the hands of eight individuals.

When discussing Message from Space, one must first address the elephant in the room. After the monumental success of Star Wars, Toei decided to make their own version. Message from Space was a film that was quickly put together so it could be released in Japan before Star Wars. Despite its similarities to Star Wars, Message from Space is actually an adaptation of the epic serial novel Nansō Satomi Hakkenden. Kinji Fukasaku would revisit Nansō Satomi Hakkenden for his film Legend of the Eight Samurai. Message from Space also spawned off the television series Uchu Kara no Messeji: Ginga Taisen (Message from Space: Galactic Battle), which also starred Hiroyuki Sanada.

Known for his revolutionary take on the yakuza genre, Kinji Fukasaku was not a stranger to the sci-fi genre; his other forays include The Green Slime and Virus. When it comes to the visuals, he would employ the handheld technique that was a staple of his yakuza films. This allows the viewer to get closer to the action, which really enhances the scenes where characters are flying recklessly. That said, when it comes to the special effects, especially the miniatures, they have not aged well. Fortunately, Kinji Fukasaku does a superb job making an engaging and always entertaining film despite its shortcomings.

Performance-wise, the Japanese side of the cast shines the brightest. The performance that stands out the most is Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba (The Street Fighter) in the role of Prince Hans, a character whose attire resembles a knight. He takes full advantage of his limited screen time; the film is half over by the time his character first appears. Two Shin’ichi ‘Sonny’ Chiba portegees’s Etsuko Shihomi (Sister Street Fighter) and Hiroyuki Sanada (Roaring Fire) have substantial roles. Other notable cast members are Tetsuro Tanba (Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs) and Vic Morrow (Humanoids from the Deep). That said, one can’t really fault any of the performances, which are best described as enthusiastic.

For a sci-fi film, there are many elements in Message from Space from the past, like an actual ship that flies and a character who fights with swords instead of laser guns. And when it comes to the action sequences, they are all well-executed thrilling moments. In one scene, sword-wielding Prince Hans single handedly disposes of dozens of evil henchmen. Content wise, Message from Space is a film that's all over the place; it's filled to the brim with bizarreness. Ultimately, Message from Space is a time capsule film that has not aged well, and yet its infectious story is always entertaining.

Message from Space is an exceptional release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

Last Embrace – Cinématographe (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: USA, 1979
Director: Jonathan Demme
Writers: Murray Teigh Bloom, David Shaber
Cast: Roy Scheider, Janet Margolin, John Glover, Christopher Walken, Charles Napier, Sam Levene, Joe Spinell

Release Date: July 23rd, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 101 Minutes 23 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: R
Sound: DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $59.98

"Harry Hannan (Roy Scheider, The French Connection) is a United States government agent newly released from a long stay at an asylum following the murder of his wife during a botched mission in Mexico. Upon returning to government work, Hannan becomes increasingly paranoid, constantly questioning his sanity and who he can trust in the wake of receiving mysterious threats written in Hebrew. Hannan, along with Princeton doctoral student Ellie Fabian (Janet Margolin, David and Lisa), must unravel an arcane mystery that follows them from the streets of New York City to the rushing waters of Niagara Falls, before time runs out." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 4.5/5 (4K UHD), 4.25/5 (Blu-ray)

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "a new restoration from its original camera negative."

Last Embrace comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD.

Disc Size: 60.8 GB

Feature: 60.6 GB

This brand new transfer looks excellent; it is a noticeable improvement over Kino Lorber’s 2014 Blu-ray release. Flesh tones look healthy, colors look correct, image clarity, black levels, and compression are solid, and the image always looks organic.

Last Embrace comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.9 GB

Feature: 25.8 GB

The Blu-ray uses the same source as the 4K UHD does for its transfer.

Audio: 4.5/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in English with removable English SDH. The audio is in great shape; it is a noticeable improvement over Kino Lorber’s 2014 Blu-ray release. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, the score sounds appropriately robust and range-wise, things sound very good, and ambient sounds are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras for this release include a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 55 seconds, DTS-HD mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with producer Michael Taylor (10 minutes 41 seconds, DTS-HD stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by Samm Deighan titled The Labyrinth of Last Embrace: From Hitchcockian Suspense Film to Erotic Revenge Thriller (16 minutes 33 seconds, DTS-HD stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with film historians Howard S. Berger and Steve Mitchell, a J-card MediaBook slipcase and a 40-page booklet (limited to 6,000 units) with an essay titled Don’t Over Do It: A Reappreciation of Jonathan Demme’s Last Embrace written by Jeva Lange, an essay titled Embracing Excess: Last Embrace and Jonathan Demme’s Crime Films of the 70s written by Justin LaLiberty, and an essay titled What Goes Around Comes Around: Jonathan Demme’s Last Embrace Reconsidered and Rediscovered written by Jim Hemphill.

Summary:

Jonathan Demme directed Last Embrace. His notable films are Something Wild, Married to the Mob, The Silence of the Lambs, and Philadelphia.

An intelligence man who recently recovered from a nervous breakdown starts to believe that someone is trying to kill him. Is it all in his mind, or has someone marked him for death?

When it comes to cinema’s most celebrated filmmakers, they all have one thing in common: when you watch their films, there are moments that could have only been directed by them. This is especially true of Alfred Hitchcock, a filmmaker who pioneered techniques, most of which are still widely used in the present. That said, there are two ways that filmmakers pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock: camera techniques and reimagining plots from his films. Then there’s Jonathan Demme’s Last Embrace, a film that balances between these two ways of paying homage to Alfred Hitchcock.

Last Embrace is a film with two distinct halves. What starts off as a spy thriller, along the way, takes an abrupt turn into the realm of revenge cinema. The protagonist is wise to be wary of his employer's hostile intentions since his nervous breakdown; unfortunately, this creates a blind spot in which he allows someone more dangerous into his life and lets his guard down with them. When the reason someone wants to kill the protagonist is revealed, bringing clarity to the initial tension, which had primarily stemmed from the protagonist's fear.

Last Embrace has a solid cast who are all great in their roles, especially Roy Scheider (The French Connection) and Janet Margolin (David and Lisa). Cast in the roles of the protagonist and the woman who comes into the protagonist's life at an opportune time, their onscreen chemistry reinforces the evolution of their characters' relationships. The most surprising performance is Christopher Walken’s (The Dead Zone) portrayal of Eckart, the man who the protagonist works for. Despite only being in two scenes, he creates this film’s most memorable character.

From a production standpoint, Last Embrace is a film that delivers and then some. The narrative executes the setup well, builds tension phenomenally, and provides a very satisfying finale, concluding the events that preceded perfectly. Miklós Rózsa’s exemplary Hitchcockian score (Spellbound) and the visuals create a fusion that heightens mood. The most memorable moment is an assassination sequence in a bell tower; this scene is pure Hitchcock. Ultimately, Last Embrace is a solid example of a filmmaker paying homage to the cinema of Alfred Hitchcock.

Last Embrace gets an exceptional release from Cinématographe that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, 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