Vinegar Syndrome has announced its January batch of 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases. They are: Sidekicks (1992), From Beyond (1986), Infernal Rapist (1988), Frostbiter (1995), and Made In Hong Kong: Volume One (1998-1999).
Description: Barry isn't your normal high school student, he is obsessed with action movies, specifically ones starring the great Chuck Norris. In order to escape the difficulties of his everyday life, such as the loss of his mother and the bullies he has to face at school, Barry finds himself daydreaming of being Chuck Norris's sidekick and beating up the bad guys in order to save the day. With the help of his favorite teacher and her uncle, Barry begins training in martial arts in order to gain confidence and to ground himself in reality. However, reality hits hard when Barry enters a martial arts tournament and is forced to face the bullies that have been tormenting him. With a little help from a hero of his, Barry must overcome his fears if he wants to win the tournament as well as the heart of his longtime crush.
A true 90s nostalgia movie, SIDEKICKS stands out from other "family friendly" movies of the time thanks in part to the many recreations of iconic action scenes found in Chuck Norris's filmography. Directed by Aaron Norris (brother and frequent collaborator with Chuck Norris) SIDEKICKS features a who's who cast of 90s greats including: Jonathan Brandis (TV's Sea Quest, 1990's It), Beau Bridges (The Wizard), Danica McKellar (TV's The Wonder Years), Julia Nickson (Amityville: A New Generation), Joe Piscopo (Dead Heat), iconic character actor Mako (Red Sun Rising), and the legend himself Chuck Norris (Missing in Action) in a role unlike any other that he has played.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL 35MM CAMERA NEGATIVE
HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
NEW audio commentary track with director Aaron Norris
Fan commentary track with filmmaker Joe Begos and friends
"Butch on Sidekicks" (36 min) - an interview with director Aaron Norris
"Producing Sidekicks" (19 min) - an interview with producer Don Carmody
"Kata Queen" (40 min) - an interview with actress Julia Nickson
"Designing Sidekicks" (47 min) - an interview with production designer Reuben Freed
"Editing Sidekicks" (34 min) - an interview with film editor Bernard Weiser
Original video trailer
Original 10-minute promo reel
Still gallery
40-page perfect bound book with essays by Chuck Norris Facts creator Ian Spector and Justin LaLiberty
Description: Dr. Edward Pretorius, an acclaimed physicist, has perfected his newest invention: the Resonator, a machine which allows those near to it to glimpse life not visible to the naked eye. Imagining the discoveries he could make, Pretorius begins to go mad, much to the concern of his young assistant, Crawford Tillinghast. However, after the machine malfunctions during a highly sensitive experiment and Pretorius is found brutally murdered, Crawford is fingered as the primary suspect. Crawford, now confined to an asylum, becomes the ward of Dr. Katherine McMichaels, who takes a special interest in his tales of the strange creatures able to be seen while the machine is operating and convinces him to help her rebuild the device, woefully unaware of the terrifying, hidden world she is about to enter…
Following up on the success of his 1985 film Re-Animator, director Stuart Gordon's FROM BEYOND presents another harrowing interpretation of acclaimed science fiction and horror writer H.P. Lovecraft's uniquely unsettling tales of of terror. Starring Jeffrey Combs (Frightmare), Barbara Crampton (You're Next), and Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead), photographed by Mac Ahlberg (House), written by Dennis Paoli (Castle Freak), produced by the legendary Charles Band (Puppetmaster) and Brian Yuzna (Society), and featuring incredible special effects designed by Mark Shostrom (Evil Dead II), FROM BEYOND has solidified its legacy of being one of the most iconic independent horror films of the 80s. At last, this gruesome glimpse into the dark side of science comes to 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray, exploding with new and archival extras and featuring a stunning and fully uncensored 4K restoration, created by Vinegar Syndrome specifically for this release!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL 35MM CAMERA NEGATIVE
HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Audio Commentary track with director Stuart Gordon and the cast
Audio Commentary track with screenwriter Dennis Paoli
"Re-Resonator: Looking Back at From Beyond" (97 min) - a brand new making-of documentary featuring interviews with actors Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton and Ken Foree; screenwriter Dennis Paoli; producer Brian Yuzna; film editor Lee Percy; composer Richard Band; foley artist Vanessa Ament; effects supervisors Michael Deak and Anthony Doublin; effects artists William Butler, Gabriel Bartalos, John Naulin and Robert Kurtzman
"A Director's Perspective" (9 min) - reflections with director Stuart Gordon
"Stuart Gordon on From Beyond" (20 min) - a 2012 interview with the director
"A Tortured Soul" (18 min) - a 2013 interview with actor Jeffrey Combs
"The Doctor Is In" (14 min) - a 2012 interview with actress Barbara Crampton
"Paging Dr. McMichaels" (20 min) - a 2013 interview with actress Barbara Crampton
"An Empire Production" (7 min) - a 2013 interview with executive producer Charles Band
"Multiple Dimensions: The Creatures & Effects of From Beyond" (23 min) - an effects focused featurette from 2013
"Monsters & Slime: The FX of From Beyond" - an effects focused featurette from 2012
"Gothic Adaptation" (16 min) - a 2012 interview with screenwriter Dennis Paoli
Storyboard-to-film comparisons with director Stuart Gordon (9 min)
Description: Carlos, a serial rapist known as "El Gato", is strapped to an electric chair and executed for his vicious crimes. But, before crossing over into the afterlife, Carlos is visited by a Satanic spirit in the form of a beautiful woman, who makes him an offer that he cannot pass up. After literally making a deal with the devil, Carlos is brought back to life and allowed to continue his drug-fueled spree of rape and murder in order to appease his new Satanic ruler. However, the police are hot on his trail after they discover that this new wave of killings seem to be linked to "El Gato" thanks in part to the signature Carlos is required to leave behind at each murder scene: a 666 carved into the victim's body.
An unbelievably savage movie, INFERNAL RAPIST (aka El violador infernal) proves that Mexico is one of the heavy hitters when it comes to making great genre films. Starring Noé Murayama (Guns for San Sebastian), in the role of Carlos, as well as Mexican genre film icon Princesa Lea (Intrépidos punks), as his satanic ruler, INFERNAL RAPIST is a truly one of kind film that is sure to raise the eyebrows of even the most jaded genre fan. Vinegar Syndrome is proud to present this little seen south of the border shocker on Blu-ray, scanned in 4k and restored from its original camera negative.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL 35MM CAMERA NEGATIVE
Brand new video interview with actor Juan Moro
Brand new video interview with actor Fidel Abrego
Brand new video interview with actor Arturo Mason
Audio essay by author & critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Description: Long ago, the mighty Wendigo was defeated and buried in a secret place known only to a select individual tasked with protecting this unholy ground, lest it be revived from the grave. When two arrogant hunters, Gary and Dave, stumble upon the Wendigo's final resting place and kill its elderly protector, they unknowingly revive the ancient demon, which gorily dispatches Dave. Taking refuge with another group of hunters in a nearby cabin, the posse are set upon by all sorts of ghoulish creatures, not the least of which is the Wendigo itself. Meanwhile, a young woman named Sandy begins to experience visions telling her that she must now kill the Wendigo…
From the snowy wilds of Michigan, Tom Chaney's FROSTBITER (aka WENDIGO) is a highly ambitious indie horror gem which, inexplicably, remained nearly unreleased (save for some local screenings) for the better part of a decade following its late 80s production. Featuring clever use of miniatures, highly stylized camerawork and editing, frequent gore, and loads of wintry atmosphere, Vinegar Syndrome is overjoyed to at last debut this folk horror infused regional creature feature on Blu-ray, newly restored in 2K from its 16mm camera negative and bursting with extras that are sure to rip your head off!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 2K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL 35MM CAMERA NEGATIVE
Brand new commentary track with co-writer / director Tom Chaney, moderated by Michael Felsher
"Wendigo Make a Movie" - an interview with co-writer / director Tom Chaney
"The Many Hats of a Wendigo" - an interview with producer David Thiry
"What Were We Thinking?" - an interview with actor Alan Madlane
"Frankenstein's Wendigo" - an interview with stop motion animator Dave Hettmer
"A Friend in Need" - an interview with actor John Bussard
"Sound of the Wendigo" - an interview with sound editor / actor Paul Harris
Description: Many countries have their own signature style when it comes to making genre films...and Hong Kong is no exception. "Category III" or "Cat III" films, (a ratings classification denoting a film's more extreme content) are unique films that push the boundaries of what is considered "acceptable content." Beyond just the more extreme content, what sets these genre films apart from others is that they are made with the support of major studios, star popular actors, and are more accepted by the mainstream public. Contained in this set are three great examples of the types of genre films Hong Kong has become known for. While not technically all "Cat III," they are excellent representations of the lines that Hong Kong genre films are willing to cross.
THE DEMON'S BABY
Legend has it, many years ago five evil spirits were trapped inside ornate jars and sealed in the mountains to protect humanity from destruction. However, when a power hungry ruler searching for treasure raids the secret chamber that houses these jars, he brings them home to his five wives along with the other riches he uncovers. Unaware of the power contained in these jars, things take an unexpected turn when the jars are accidentally opened and the ruler's five wives all become impregnated with evil fetuses hungry for human flesh. It is up to the palace's cook, his secret girlfriend, and a local Taoist priest to stop these man-eating babies before they escape and destroy the world.
Featuring an almost non-stop climax full of blood and mayhem, THE DEMON'S BABY is a high energy horror film with a style and humor similar to Sam Raimi's best work. This Hong Kong splatter-fest is a must see for genre fans who think they have seen it all.
EROTIC NIGHTMARE
Sexually frustrated due to his wife's medical condition, Yep finds himself preoccupied with dreaming about erotic encounters with beautiful women. Thanks to a chance encounter, Yep meets a modern-day sorcerer who promises to give him erotic dreams beyond his wildest imagination. Yep can't help but take up the man's intriguing proposition and at first is very "satisfied" with the arrangement. However, Yep soon discovers that these dreams come with a price and he must find a way to free himself of the sorcerer's spell before it's too late.
Appropriately titled, EROTIC NIGHTMARE is a Hong Kong shocker that is both equal parts sexploitation film as it is a horrific morality tale. Featuring an excellent performance by Hong Kong legend Anthony Wong (Ebola Syndrome), EROTIC NIGHTMARE is sure to arouse the interests of any genre fan.
THE DEADLY CAMP
A group of friends take a boat to a remote island to campout and party for a few days. After arriving on the island, they soon discover that the people they were there to meet, seem to have gone missing. What's even more concerning is that the group of friends stumble across another group of campers who are also on the island to look for their missing friends, too. After learning that the island is riddled with deadly traps, things take an even more extreme turn for the campers, when they find themselves being stalked and killed by a bandaged maniac wielding a chainsaw.
Unfairly labeled by many as "the Hong Kong Friday the 13th," THE DEADLY CAMP (1999) is a true to life slasher film made with a Hong Kong flare. While borrowing heavily from many popular American horror films, THE DEADLY CAMP (1999) still manages to stand on its own, thanks in part to a cast of young Hong Kong actors that ultimately leads to a hefty bodycount and surprise ending.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
TWO-DISC SET
NEW 2K RESTORATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL 35MM CAMERA NEGATIVE
EROTIC NIGHTMARE commentary track with critic and author Samm Deighan
THE DEADLY CAMP commentary track with The Hysteria Continues!
"Anthony Wong: The CATIII King" - a video essay by critics Samm Deighan and Charles Perks
"The Demon's Baby" - a video essay by author & critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
40-page perfect bound book with essays by Bruce Holecheck, Erica Shultz and an interview with actor Anthony Wong by Arnaud Lanuque
Reversible sleeve artwork
Newly translated English subtitles and SDH subtitles