Vinegar Syndrome has revealed its July batch of 4K Blu-ray and Blu-ray releases. They are: The Card Player (2004), The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999), Yongary, Monster from the Deep (1967), Tropic of Desire / Fantasy World (1979), and Take Off (1978).
Description: In Rome, Inspector Anna Mari receives a macabre surprise for her birthday when an email lands in her inbox from someone calling themself "The Card Player", and claiming to be the one responsible for the recent kidnapping of a British tourist. In a sadistic twist, the kidnapper challenges the authorities to a game of online poker to determine whether the young woman lives or dies. When the Police Commissioner forbids his team to go through with the game, the maniac brutally slaughters the tourist before their very eyes via webcam, later dumping the body in a river. As more and more women are abducted from the streets of the Italian capital and subjected to the same treatment, Anna Mari joins forces with Irish policeman John Brennan and young poker whizz-kid Remo in an attempt to beat The Card Player at their own deadly game.
A later giallo offering from the master of the form, Dario Argento's (Deep Red, The Bird with the Crystal Plumage) THE CARD PLAYER takes all the familiar trappings of the genre and plants them firmly in an early 2000s milieu, complete with a fittingly pulsing, contemporary electronic score by Claudio Simonetti (Suspiria, Tenebrae). Co-scripted by regular Argento collaborator Franco Ferrini (Phenomena, Demons) and featuring gruesome corpse special effects from Sergio Stivaletti (Cemetery Man), Vinegar Syndrome is delighted to present THE CARD PLAYER in its world 4K Blu-ray debut, newly restored in 4K from the original camera negative and loaded with a full deck of both new and archival extras.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
COMBO PACK (4K BLU-RAY/BLU-RAY) RELEASE
NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Presented in its original English language 5.1 surround soundtrack, as well as its Italian language 5.1 surround soundtrack with newly translated English subtitles
Commentary track with film historians Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson
Playing the Game (27 min) - a brand new interview with actress Stefania Rocca
Digital Nightmare (19 min) - a brand new interview with composer Claudio Simonetti
Like in War (10 min) - a brand new interview with make-up artist Sergio Stivaletti
Sharp Cuts (20 min) - a brand new interview with editor Walter Fasano
Watch Me When I Kill (18 min) - an archival interview with director/screenwriter Dario Argento
Taking Risks (9 min) - an archival interview with screenwriter Franco Ferrini
A Chip and a Chair (12 min) - an archival interview with set designer Antonello Geleng
Game Over (8 min) - an archival interview with actress Fiore Argento
Description: Welcome to Bates High School. Today's lesson: stay on Rachel Lang's good side, because if you don't, there will be hellfire to pay! When a group of competitive, oversexed jocks target Rachel as a snitch, it triggers Rachel's psychic impulse for revenge. While mourning the suicide of her best friend, her rage boils to a fever pitch and Rachel finds herself struggling with her inherited telekinetic powers. Can guidance counselor Sue Snell, survivor of Carrie White's original bloodbath, manage to help Rachel before it's too late? Is there any way to save Rachel from her own supernatural fury or is it destined to destroy her alongside her teenage tormentors?
A chilling sequel from acclaimed cult filmmaker Katt Shea (Stripped to Kill, Streets), THE RAGE: CARRIE 2 stars Emily Bergl (TV's Shameless) along with Jason London (Dazed and Confused), Dylan Bruno (Saving Private Ryan), Zachery Ty Bryan (TV's Home Improvement) and also features Academy Award® nominee Amy Irving (Carrie, The Fury) reprising her role of Sue Snell. Vinegar Syndrome presents this late 90s horror sleeper, which Variety called "an explosion of supernatural violence" on 4K Blu-ray for the very first time, exclusively restored from its original camera negative.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
COMBO PACK (4K BLU-RAY/BLU-RAY) RELEASE
NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Commentary track with director Katt Shea
Group commentary track with director Katt Shea, cinematographer Donald M. Morgan, moderated by David DeCoteau
Deleted scenes with optional commentary track by director Katt Shea
Alternate ending with commentary by director Katt Shea
Description: Earthquakes are causing havoc throughout Korea and it's no simple seismic mayhem, but instead the mythic monster Yongary emerging from the earth! After nuclear testing awakens the giant monster presaged in Korean folklore, Yongary threatens to level the country, breathing fire and stomping entire buildings. Only scientist Il-Woo, with the help of his girlfriend's prankster kid brother Icho, can figure out how to slow down the terrible Yongary, who gobbles up petroleum products and only appears to be growing stronger. The seemingly powerless army considers using guided missiles against Yongary, potentially demolishing ancient historical landmarks in order to save lives, all in the hope of stopping his fiery path of destruction.
Considered one of Korea's first giant monster epics, YONGARY, MONSTER FROM THE DEEP is a vital and original take on the genre, with an expertly handled monster, a healthy dose of humor, and even a clever touch of sentiment shown towards the monster itself. It also boasts masterful special effects crafted by the legendary Keizô Murase (Mothra, King Kong vs. Godzilla, Gamera, etc.) himself, character stories built around Il-Woo and Icho, and utterly exquisite miniature work. This kaiju classic and long-time staple on regional U.S. TV has something for everyone, including a jaw-dropping rock 'n roll dance sequence! The folkloric monster team at Vinegar Syndrome is proud to bring you this beloved creature classic, newly restored in 4K and finally featuring the surviving fragments of its original Korean language version.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
COMBO PACK (4K BLU-RAY/BLU-RAY) RELEASE
NEW 4K RESTORATION OF THE FILM
DOLBY VISION/HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
Commentary track with film historian Samm Deighan
Commentary track with film historian Steve Ryfle & writer/critic Kim Song-ho
All that remains of Daegoesu Yonggari, the original Korean cut of Yongary with newly translated English subtitles, sourced from tape and courtesy of the Korean Film Archive (48 min)
Archival video interview with legendary kaiju suitmaker Keizo Murase, originally produced for TohoKingdom.com (20 min)
"Yongary: The Birth of Korea's Monster" (19 min) - a featurette with Korean film historians Kim Hyun-jae, Hong Gi-hun, and Park Sang-kyu
Video introduction by film historian Sean Rhoads, co-author of Japan's Green Monsters: Environmental Commentary in Kaiju Cinema (8 min)
Image gallery
Anatomy poster by renowned kaiju artist Matt Frank
Director Bob Chinn's work for Caribbean Films spans a wide range of genres, typically shot in pairs to maximize existing sets and available cast. Presented here are two back-to-back productions that, while distinct in tone and style, both showcase Chinn's incredible versatility behind the camera. Newly restored in 2K from their original 35mm camera negatives, these two adult classics make their worldwide Blu-ray debut.
TROPIC OF DESIRE takes place in the South Pacific during the waning days of World War II and captures a single day of a brothel serving American soldiers. Amid lighthearted encounters, themes of fear, hope, love, and loss emerge, deeply affecting both the women who work there and the men who visit. One of Chinn's personal favorites, the film features standout performances from Georgina Spelvin, Jesie St. James, Dorothy Lemay, and many more.
FANTASY WORLD follows a group of sailors on shore leave who stumble upon a mysterious club that promises to fulfill their every desire. As the seaman's fantasies come to life, a tour group of young women also visit the club and experience their own sensual awakenings. But where does fantasy end and reality begin? Starring Paul Thomas, Laurien Dominique, Sharon Kane and more.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 2K RESTORATIONS FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVES
Original theatrical trailers for both films (Hard and Soft Versions)
Description: Invited to a lavish garden party at a massive country estate by a mysterious host, Linda is quickly chatted up by a wanna-be cowboy, Roy. After the two sneak into the property's manor house, hoping to find a spot for a quick tryst, they end up discovering something far more intriguing: a mysterious stag film from the 1920s, starring a very old man. After returning to the party, Linda is soon approached by party's suave and dashing Darrin Blue, who invites her on a drive and begins to share his incredible life story, from encounters with gangster molls in the 30s through to hippie freak outs in the 60s. But what is Darrin's secret to remaining eternally youthful? Where Hollywood leaves off, TAKE OFF takes it all off, in acclaimed director Armand Weston's (The Nesting, Defiance of Good) hilarious pop culture pastiche. Combining elements of Oscar Wilde's "Picture of Dorian Gray" with well played satires of some of the 20th century's most beloved and important films and historical events, TAKE OFF stars Wade Nichols (Barbara Broadcast, TV's Edge of Night), Annette Haven (SexWorld), Leslie Bovee (Lustful Feelings), Eric Edwards Firestorm), and also features a guest appearance from Andy Warhol Superstar, Holly Woodlawn. With stunning photography by Joao Fernandes (Through the Looking Glass, Invasion USA) evoking the 1920s through 70s, and an AFAA award winning original soundtrack by Elephant's Memory, Quality X presents this acclaimed hardcore crossover film on Blu-ray, newly restored in 4K from its best surviving negative elements!
Special Features and Technical Specs:
NEW 4K RESTORATION FROM A COLOR REVERSAL INTERNEGATIVE
Original Theatrical Trailers (Hard and Soft Versions)
Original Radio Spots
Archival Image Gallery
Liner Notes Booklet with Essays by Film Historian Ashley West of the Rialto Report and Dr. Laura Helen Marks of Tulane University