Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 17th, 2019
"You know me, always saving the day."
After the disappointment that was the recent Suicide Squad animated feature, Warner and DC needed to save the day with the release of The Death of Superman, and that's exactly what they did. The Death Of Superman was a major milestone in the history of the Man of Steel in the comics. It all started in December of 1992. DC announced they were killing off their most iconic hero and ending the Superman run of comics. Of course, that was only partially true. Once Supes was "killed off" the comic split into four new branches, as the vacuum created by his death needed to be filled both in the fictional universe as well as the commercial side of ours. Eventually the lines were reunited, and Superman has been alive and well ever since. But this was a huge event in the world of comics. The Justice League and Batman vs. Superman films used aspects of the story in the recent film, but this animated feature goes back to its comic roots and more faithfully brings that comic series to life. The Reign of the Supermen would follow and would tie up the story started in the first film. Now things would drift away from the comics somewhat, but it's an epic story when viewed together, and that's what Warner Brothers does with this release. It's called The Death and Return of Superman and it combines both animated features into one near-three-hour event, and it's out in 4K.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 16th, 2019
“Space… The final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission, to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before.”
Nearly 20 years after the original Star Trek left the network airwaves, Gene Roddenberry set out to discover if he could catch lightning in a bottle once again. Some say he did an even better job with Star Trek: The Next Generation. There are times I tend to agree. The Star Trek sequel series had a lot more advantages from the moment it was conceived. Star Trek, a series that barely registered on the ratings during its three-year primetime voyage, became a huge sensation in syndication. By the time Next Generation came on the scene, the original show had been syndicated in over 20 different languages all over the world. It had launched an animated series, and a fifth feature film was already in the early stages of consideration. So it isn’t quite fair to judge the success or quality of The Next Generation over the original series. One thing is inarguable. The second would never have existed if not for the first.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on October 15th, 2019
31 Nights Of Terror is in full swing here at Upcomingdiscs. Our really good friends over at RLJE Films have decided to contribute to your nightmares. They have given us a copy of their horror/comedy Satanic Panic on DVD. We're passing it along to a lucky follower out there. The film stars Jerry O'Connell, Rebecca Romijn, and Hayley Griffith. What does a satanic cult do when they are looking for a sacrifice? They order pizza, of course.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 15th, 2019
"You know, kids lose their toys every day. Sometimes they get put in the wrong box, and that box gets taken away."
In 1995 Pixar didn't just put themselves on the computer animated feature film map. They completely created a new map. Yes, there were works before Toy Story, but that was the film that changed everything in an entire industry. It also began a push-and-pull relationship between the independent studio and its distribution partner, Walt Disney Studios. It was a disagreement over Toy Story sequels that found Pixar shopping for a new partner for their future output, and before you know it, Disney wrote a check and Pixar was a part of Disney. The small studio's chief, John Lassiter, ended up in charge of the Mouse House animation department, and those disputed Toy Story sequels became box office gold and examples of the right way to continue a film franchise. Now, a lot's changed in that 25 year interval. John Lassiter is gone because of his penchant for "full body hugs", and Disney has perfected the model of writing a check and turning it into a virtual printing press printing out hundred-dollar bills like they were prom flyers. Marvel, Lucasfilm, and now Fox have fallen like dominoes in the Disney march to global domination of the entertainment industry. It's actually amazing how many times they've gotten it right.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 12th, 2019
"Did you say Chucky?"
The 70’s and 80’s were fertile ground for horror films. It was a new era of iconic monsters. Starting with Michael Myers and Jason, the trend that gave us Freddy seemed to be at the end of its run by the late 1980’s. Certainly sequels were still being churned out, but it seemed like we’d seen the last of these maniacal monsters, at least for a while. But before it petered out, the cycle would supply our nightmares with one more notable denizen…Chucky. Later Chucky would pace the sidelines here in Tampa as the head coach of the local NFL franchise, but for the last 20 years it was the darkest alleyways of our dreams that Chucky prowled. Inhabited by the soul of a killer, Chucky was truly one of the “Good Guys”. Child’s Play was the brainchild of writer Don Mancini. Mancini’s original story Batteries Not Included was changed because of the impending Spielberg film to Blood Buddies. The title and many aspects of the story would evolve over time. Eventually the title Child’s Play took over, and Chucky was born.
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on October 10th, 2019
31 Nights Of Terror is giving away a ton of stuff this year. You might say we're killing it. CBS Home Entertainment helps us out with their new horror series Tell Me A Story. We have a copy of the complete first season to give away. The show creates a modern fairy tale narrative, and you can bring it home for free.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 8th, 2019
"This is the way the world ends..."
The Stephen King cycle has turned hot once again. With the enormous success of the two-part It feature at the box office, Stephen King is hitting the kind of popularity he had back in the 1980's and 1990's when it seemed anything he put his name to had to be made into a feature film or some other grand project. The trend led to mixed results. Many of the films couldn't live up to the visceral detail that has become King's trademark. To do this, his books have taken on a large page count that has been nearly impossible to fit into a 2-hour feature film window. So there were attempts to expand that reach and use his material for the mini-series format. That's the way It was handled in those days. But there are limitations in network television, particularly 30 years ago, that had no chance of capturing the imagination of a writer with such brutal imagery. The lesson has taken hold. It was released as two films. But back in the day, it appears that even seven hours couldn't quite deliver a quality version of The Stand. Even with a brilliant cast and a script written by the horror master himself, the mini-series fell short of both expectations and the test of time. But like I said, Stephen King is back.
Posted in: News and Opinions by Gino Sassani on October 7th, 2019
Here at Upcomingdiscs 31 Nights Of Terror wouldn't be the same without our buddies at Diabolik DVD. We don't really push products or do much shilling here at the site. That's not why you come here. These guys are the real deal. I know a lot of you are horror fans. You owe it to yourself to check these guys out. They have everything from mainstream horror to the rarest schlock. If you can't find it there, you just can't find it. Just click on the graphic to the right of the sight and be prepared to be taken to some wild places. I hope you'll give them a try and tell them Gino at Upcomingdiscs sent you. They are perfect for that Halloween film you're just dying to have.
Posted in: No Huddle Reviews by Gino Sassani on October 5th, 2019
Be honest, who hears the theme music when anyone even mentions The Addams Family? I know I do, and then I have to resist the urge to do the finger snaps. Just in time for 31 Nights of Terror as well as the release of the animated version comes the double release of The Addams Family and its sequel, The Addams Family: Family Values, featuring Raul Julia and Angelica Huston as Gomez and Morticia Gomez, and let’s not forget Christopher Lloyd and Christina Ricci as Fester and Wednesday Gomez respectively. Based on the wildly popular cartoons that appeared in the New Yorker that went on to find success as television series, the The Addamses are a satirical inversion of the ideal 20th-century American family: an odd, wealthy, aristocratic clan who delight in the macabre and are seemingly unaware, or do not care, that other people find them bizarre or frightening. For me, these movies were my introduction to this family, as the TV series was bit before my time, but a gothic family unaware of their difference from other people
-- what’s not to love?
Posted in: Contests by Gino Sassani on October 3rd, 2019
31 Nights Of Terror Continues with a nod to the young ones. Disney knows how to do scary, but not so much. It's a chance to invite the kids into the festivities. From the folks at Disney Junior comes Vampirina. She's the new kid on the block straight from Transylvania. It's 4 episodes of the "fang-tastic" show and it's new on DVD.
To win a copy of this prize, follow these instructions.
