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

Corpse Mania – Vinegar Syndrome (4k UHD/Blu-ray Combo)

Theatrical Release Date: Hong Kong, 1981
Director: Chih-Hung Kuei
Writers: Chih-Hung Kuei, Sze-To On
Cast: Tien Ni, Wang Jung, Yu Tsui-Ling, Lau Siu-Kwan, Erik Ka-Kei Chan

Release Date: October 29th, 2024
Approximate Running Time: 82 Minutes 49 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 2160 Progressive / HEVC / H.265 / HDR10
Rating: NR
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Cantonese
Subtitles: English
Region Coding: Region Free (4K UHD), Region A (Blu-ray)
Retail Price: $54.98

"After a defiled corpse is discovered in an abandoned building, Inspector Zhang recognizes the scene as being similar to other mutilated bodies that have been turning up in the area. Realizing that there is a deranged serial killer at large, Zhang's investigation soon leads him to a local brothel run by the headstrong Madame Lan, which appears to be the killer’s hunting ground. While public suspicion soon falls on a recently released-from-prison necrophile, Zhang is unconvinced, believing that the killer and their motive are hiding in plain sight." - synopsis provided by the distributor

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

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, "Newly scanned & restored in 4K from its 35mm original camera negative."

Corpse Mania comes on a 66 GB dual layer 4K UHD

Disc Size: 61 GB

Feature: 60.3 GB

The source looks excellent; it's a noticeable improvement over this film’s previous home media releases. Flesh tones look correct, colors are nicely saturated, image clarity, contrast, black levels, and compression are solid, and grain remains intact.

Corpse Mania comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 32.6 GB

Feature: 24  GB

The Blu-ray included as part of this release uses the same source that was used for the 4K UHD’s transfer.

Audio: 4.25/5

This release comes with one audio option, a DTS-HD mono mix in Cantonese with removable English subtitles. The audio is in good shape; dialog comes through clearly, and everything sounds balanced. Range-wise, ambient sounds and the score are well-represented.

Extras:

Extras on the 4K UHD disc include an audio commentary with Ming Beaver Kwei, son of director Chih-Hung Kwei and filmmaker Alan Chu, and an audio commentary with film historian Samm Deighan.

Extras on the Blu-ray disc include an interview with producer Lawrence Wong titled Statistics with the Producer (3 minutes 10 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an interview with cinematographer Lee San Yip (7 minutes, Dolby Digital stereo Cantonese with removable English subtitles), an  interview with Ming Beaver Kwei (18 minutes 40 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a video essay by film historian and author Grady Hendrix titled Chih-Hung Kwei: Shaw Brothers’ Master of Horror (17 minutes 2 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an audio commentary with Ming Beaver Kwei and Alan Chu, and an audio commentary with Samm Deighan.

Other extras include reversible cover art, a spot gloss slipcover (limited to 6,000 units) and a 28-page booklet with an essay titled Kuei Chih-Hung: A Man of All Genres written by Erica Shultz.

Summary:

Chih-Hung Kuei directed Corpse Mania. His other notable films include The Lady Professional, The Delinquent, The House of Bamboo Dolls, The Killer Snakes, Virgins of the Seven Seas, Killer Constable, Hex, Bewitched, and The Boxer’s Omen.

A necrophile recently released from prison is suspected of having killed and mutilated women's bodies.

Despite being most known for their martial arts films, Shaw Brothers actually covered all film genres. When it comes to Shaw Brothers horror films, these are some of the wildest films of the 1970s and early 1980s. That said, these films are not just yours with blood and guts; they contain lured material typically found in exploitation films. Case in point, Corpse Mania, a film directed by Chih-Hung Kuei, Shaw Brothers resident horror/explanation go to director.

Besides having a premise ripe with possibilities, Corpse Mania does a fantastic job laying the foundation and setting the mood in its opening setup. In the opening moments, suspicious neighbors call the police when a strong odor emanates from the home of a man and his sick wife who recently moved in. The wife's maggot-covered corpse is discovered, and it is revealed that the husband is a necrophile. This vivid sequence is an excellent example of how to open a film.

Corpse Mania, like most Hong Kong films, mixes genres. Despite horror being its dominant genre, Corpse Mania is also a police procedural with some exploitation elements thrown in for good measure. That said, the horror elements are mostly confined to the opening and closing acts. Also, the police procedural moments are not as impactful as the horror ones.

Corpse Main is not a film that you watch because of its performances. The actors and actresses are essentially props in the grand scheme of things, with Chih-Hung Kuei’s rock solid direction creating the impact instead of the performances.

Considering the name of this film, Corpse Mania, and its lured premise, the number of on-screen deaths is not that many; fortunately, when it comes to carnage, there is an abundance of blood that flows. As mentioned before, the narrative feels like it has distinctive parts; the horror moments move briskly, while the police procedural moments have a deliberate pacing. Ultimately, Corpse Mania is a horror/crime drama hybrid that's overflowing with moments of midsection, which culminate with a very satisfying twist ending.

Corpse Mania gets an exceptional release from Vinegar Syndrome that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and informative 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

We Still Kill the Old Way: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy, 1967
Director: Elio Petri
Writers: Elio Petri, Ugo Pirro
Cast: Gian Maria Volontè, Irene Papas, Gabriele Ferzetti, Laura Nucci, Mario Scaccia, Luigi Pistilli, Leopoldo Trieste, Salvo Randone

Release Date: September 23rd, 2024 (UK)
Approximate running time: 93 minutes 35 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 12 (UK)
Sound: DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"After two men are killed on a hunting trip, a lonely professor (Gian Maria Volonté, The Working Class Goes to Heaven), takes it upon himself to investigate what he believes was not a simple honor killing. As his search intensifies, politics and the Church become implicated in a complex conspiracy orchestrated by a powerful criminal organization.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4.5/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “We Still Kill the Old Way was restored by the Museo Nazionale del Cinema di Torino and Movietime. The film was scanned in 4K from the original camera negative and restoration was undertaken at Studio Cine in Rome, Italy. The restoration was made possible with the support of Giovanna Gravina Volontè, founder of La Valigia dell’Attore, as well as co-artistic director with Fabio Canu, and supported by Paola Petri, Sergio Toffetti, president of the National Cinema Museum of Turin.”

We Still Kill the Old Way comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.2 GB

Feature: 25.2 GB

The source is in great shape; colors look correct, image clarity and compression are solid, black levels are strong, and the image retains an organic look.

Audio: 4.25/5 (DTS-HD Mono Italian, DTS-HD Mono English)

This release comes with two audio options, a DTS-HD mono mix in Italian and a DTS-HD mono mix in English. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, they sound robust when they should. 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 a theatrical trailer (3 minutes 32 seconds, Dolby Digital mono Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with Fabrizio Catalano, grandson of author Leonardo Sciascia (31 minutes 21 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with make-up artist Pier Antonio Mecacci titled Once Upon a Time in Sicily (29 minutes 1 second, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with Roberto Curti, author of Elio Petri: Investigation of a Filmmaker titled To Each His Own (22 minutes 44 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an archival documentary titled Talking About… We Still Kill the Old Way, featuring interviews with writer Ugo Pirro, composer Luis Bacalov and Paola Petri (31 minutes 33 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 24-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, Director’s Statement, an essay titled Of Things Best Left in the Dark, or Why do We Still Kill the Old Way written by David Wingrove, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

We Still Kill the Old Way was co-written and directed by Elio Petri, whose other notable films include The Assassin (L'assassino), The 10th Victim, A Quiet Place in the Country, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, Property Is No Longer a Theft, and The Working Class Goes to Heaven.

A professor questions the evidence against three men arrested for the double homicide. And when he gets closer to the truth, he upsets some very powerful people, putting his own life in danger.

By the time Elio Petri directed We Still Kill the Old Way, he had directed four feature films and two segments for anthology films. Though he’s a filmmaker whose films are known for their social and political commentary, his early films are not as overt in these two areas. This brings us to We Still Kill the Old Way, a film that serves as a bridge between his more standard fare films and the social and political laced cinema that defines the latter half of his filmography.

The Mafia are central to most Italian crime films, and though they are in We Still Kill the Old Way, they’re not the focal point. And though a double homicide sets the narrative in motion, We Still Kill the Old Way has minimal carnage, with the only other killing not happening until the finale. That said, at the heart of We Still Kill the Old Way is a story about the power that the wealthy and politicians hold and how they use their status to subvert justice.

All of the performances are outstanding, especially Gian Maria Volontè’s (For a Few Dollars More) portrayal of Paolo Laurana, the professor looking into things better left alone. He is perfectly suited to the role of his character. Gian Maria Volontè was an actor known for his left-wing political leanings. Another performance of note is Gabriele Ferzetti’s (Once Upon a Time in the West) portrayal of an affluent lawyer.

What starts off as a whodunit becomes more about the why than the who. Despite there being an array of suspects to choose from, when the moment of truth arrives, it no longer matters. In the final moments, it became clear that we used Paolo Laurana as a means to achieve a predetermined outcome.

In making a mafia crime film, Elio Petri utilizes familiar genre elements in a way that is uniquely his own. The narrative is well-constructed, pacing is never an issue, and a phenomenal finale serves as a perfect coda. The visuals, which are filled with beautiful landscapes, are another strength. Also, Luis Bacalov (Django) delivers another exemplary mood-enhancing score. Ultimately, We Still Kill the Old Way is a tense drama that quickly pulls you in and stays with you long after its moment of truth.

Radiance Films gives We Still Kill the Old Way an exceptional release that comes with a solid audio/video presentation and insightful extras, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer

A Quiet Place in the Country: Limited Edition – Radiance Films (Blu-ray)

Theatrical Release Date: Italy/France, 1968
Director: Elio Petri
Writers: Tonino Guerra, Elio Petri, Luciano Vincenzoni
Cast: Franco Nero, Vanessa Redgrave, Georges Géret, Rita Calderoni 

Release Date: October 28th, 2024 (UK)
Approximate running time: 106 minutes 14 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Widescreen / 1080 Progressive / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: 15 (UK)
Sound: LPCM Mono Italian, LPCM Mono English
Subtitles: English, English SDH
Region Coding: Region B
Retail Price: £14.99 (UK)

"Leonardo (Franco Nero, The Day of the Owl) is a celebrated artist plagued by nightmares which stop him from completing his work. His agent and sometime lover, Flavia (Vanessa Redgrave, The Devils), encourages him to relax, so he buys a country villa. Once there he begins tracing the story of the previous owner while Flavia’s presence in the house seems to awaken something as she encounters one mysterious accident after another.” – Synopsis provided by the Distributor

Video: 4/5

Here’s the information provided about the transfer, “A Quiet Place in the Country was restored by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and delivered to Radiance Films as a High-Definition digital file. Additional restoration was undertaken by Radiance Films in 2024.”

A Quiet Place in the Country comes on a 50 GB dual layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 43.7 GB

Feature: 30.9 GB

Though this release shares the same source that Shout! Factory used for their Blu-ray release, this is where the comparison ends. Besides Radiance’s release having superior encoding and additional cleanup of print debris, image clarity and compression are solid, and there are no issues related to digital noise reduction.

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

This release comes with two audio options, a LPCM mono mix in Italian and a LPCM mono mix in English. Both audio tracks fare better when compared to Shout Factory’s Blu-ray release. The Italian language track sounds cleaner than the English language track, which has some minor background hiss. Dialog comes through clearly, everything sounds balanced, and range-wise ambient sounds are well-represented. That said, the Italian language track sounds more robust than 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 a theatrical trailer (2 minutes 8 seconds, Dolby Digital mono English, no subtitles), an archival interview with actor Franco Nero titled Journey into Madness (32 minutes 6 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with make-up artist Pier Antonio Mecacci (13 minutes 54 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo Italian with removable English subtitles), an interview with author Stephen Thrower (49 minutes 24 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a scene specific audio commentary with film critic and filmmaker Kat Ellinger (39 minutes 42 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), reversible cover art, removable OBI strip leaving packaging free of certificates and markings and a 20-page booklet (limited to 3000 copies) cast & crew information, an essay titled Useful Work: Pop Art Ghosts and Modern Schizophrenia in Elio Petri’s A Quiet Place in the Country written by Simon Abrams, and information about the transfer.

Summary:

A Quiet Place in the Country was co-written and directed by Elio Petri, whose other notable films include The Assassin (L'assassino), The 10th Victim, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion, Property Is No Longer a Theft, and The Working Class Goes to Heaven.

At the heart of A Quiet Place in the Country is a tale about an artist who is trying to create something that is commercially viable without giving up his own needs as an artist. And his artistic vision becomes distorted due to the demands brought on by the commercializing of his art.

Though there is a linear structure to the protagonist's deteriorating state of mind, This is the only area where A Quiet Place in the Country resembles traditional cinema. Needless to say, there are many layers to A Quiet Place in the Country. And multiple viewings are recommended.

The cast members deliver excellent performances in their respective roles. With A Quiet Place in the Country's greatest asset being Franco Nero’s (Django) performance in the role of the protagonist, a tortured artist named Leonardo Ferri. This character is in direct contrast to the type of character he usually portrays, and he delivers an utterly convincing performance that is arguably one of the best performances of his career.

Another performance of note is Vanessa Redgrave (Camelot) in the role of Flavia, Leonardo’s lover and business manager. Other notable cast members include Georges Géret (Diary of a Chambermaid) in the role of a groundskeeper named Attilio and Rita Calderoni (The Reincarnation of Isabel) in the role of a housekeeper named Egle.

From a production standpoint, A Quiet Place in the Country’s main theme of madness is superbly realized. And nowhere is this clearer than when it comes to how the dreamlike/nightmarish visuals perfectly reinforce the protagonist's state of mind. Not to be overlooked is Ennio Morricone’s jarring score, which reinforces the mood.

Radiance Films gives A Quiet Place in the Country its best home media release to date, highly recommended.

Written by Michael Den Boer