Category Archives: re-release

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” 50th Anniversary Special Edition

classic, horror, legend, re-release, ,

The hell-raising bloodshed of 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre disrupted movie theatergoers worldwide. Leatherface is running after a group of friends, wielding the iconic chainsaw.

Directed by Tobe Hooper, the studio marketed this horror film based on actual events to attract public attention and sell tickets. Ed Gein, who committed gruesome crimes of murder, inspired Leatherface and minor plot points. Otherwise, the horror film’s storyline is predominantly fiction.

Ed Gein was a serial killer and body snatcher, robbing grave sites, also known as the Butcher of Plainfield, the Mad Butcher and the Plainfield Goul. Gein’s murders were so horrific that his killing spree filled popular horror films: Psycho, The Silence of the Lambs and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year, making it the perfect time for horror fans to grab popcorn and their favorite beverage and pop the DVD or VHS in their machines.

Dark Sky Selects sent me The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition. To my surprise, I opened the box to pursue multiple theme-based features. A collection of many interviews on a multi-disc set will include:

  • Three new 4K UHD editions.
  • AA Blu-ray bonus disc containing new extra features.
  • Exclusive VHS movie release.

The special edition collector’s set is housed in a custom-made box replicating the iconic chainsaw from the film. The chainsaw is among the best swab gizmos I have ever seen. Opening it triggers the sound of Leatherface wielding it in the movie. They numbered each box set and only created 5000—I own #1251. 

This limited edition also features a newly designed 50th Anniversary O-card and brand-new bonus content, including The Merchandise of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Restoration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition will be available for $299.98 exclusively at Dark Sky Selects.

Here is a breakdown of what you get:

DISC 1: 4K UHD (FEATURE FILM)

BONUS: 4 FEATURE COMMENTARIES

  • Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, Actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl
  • Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns
  • Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper
  • Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou

DISC 2: BLU-RAY (FEATURE FILM)

BONUS: 4 FEATURE COMMENTARIES

  • Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, Actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl
  • Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns
  • Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper
  • Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou

DISC 3: BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES

  • NEW The Merchandise of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
  • NEW The Restoration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
  • Feature-Length Documentary: The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
  • The Cinefamily Presents FRIEDKIN/HOOPER: A Conversation About The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Between William Friedkin and Tobe Hooper
  • Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw
  • A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen
  • Off the Hook with Teri McMinn
  • The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman Interview
  • Deleted Scenes & Outtakes
  • Grandpa’s Tales: An Interview with Actor John Dugan
  • Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview with Editor J. Larry Carroll
  • Blooper Reel
  • Horrors Hallowed Grounds: TCSM
  • Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents “Making Grandpa”
  • Still Gallery
  • Trailers
  • TV Spots
  • Radio Spots

The film’s low budget, gritty style, extreme gore, and violence boosted its popularity. Since then, we’ve had horror films like The Blair Witch Project, Friday the 13th, Halloween and Night of the Living Dead.

The group of friends intends to visit an old family homestead. On their journey, they encounter a hitchhiker who behaves strangely. The stranger eventually turns on them and attacks them, leading to a harrowing chase through the Texas countryside.

They arrive at a farmhouse and meet cannibalistic killers, including the iconic Leatherface with a mask of human skin and a chainsaw. Michael Myers copied the masking technique so beautifully on Halloween.

Upon its release, the film sparked controversy for its graphic violence, a stark contrast to the Coen Bros. films and the SAW franchise. This controversy, however, only cemented its status as a cult classic and the most influential horror movie of its genre.

It generated many sequels and remakes, influencing countless horror films that tried to be deemed worthy.

The Beatles: Let It Be

“The Beatles: Let It Be” Restoration Trailer

classic, Disney+, documentary, music, re-release

Michael Lindsay-Hogg directed Let It Be, a 1970 film about The Beatles. The release arrived during their breakup. You can now stream the fully restored documentary on Disney+.

Sorry, Disney+ has blocked two of these clips, but hopefully, they will lift the ban.

Love Story

“Love Story” 50th Anniversary Restored 4K Film

based on a book, classic, legend, re-release, romance,

Some call it a classic LOVE STORY as it celebrates its 50th anniversary with a brand-new Blu-ray, newly restored from a 4K film transfer.

Based on Erich Segal’s best-selling novel, LOVE STORY received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and became a cultural phenomenon, earning over $100 million at the domestic box office. In 2002, the AFI named it #9 among the 100 greatest love stories ever.

The Blu-ray includes the newly restored film, a new Filmmaker Focus with film historian Leonard Maltin, plus previously released content, including a commentary by director Arthur Hiller, an introduction by film critic Ben Mankiewicz, Love Story: A Classic Remembered, and the theatrical trailer, plus access to a Digital copy of the film. The disc is a collectible packaging with a foldout image of the film’s theatrical poster and an interior spread with key movie moments.  

Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw both received Oscar nominations for their starring roles as Harvard students Oliver, played by O’Neal, and Jenny, played by MacGraw, from opposite backgrounds. Still, they share a chemistry they cannot deny—and a love they can’t ignore. Despite Oliver’s wealthy father threatening to disown him, the young couple marries and builds their new life together. But fate has other plans, and soon Oliver and Jenny face a crisis only the strongest of loves can endure. And we hear the most poignant and misunderstood phrase — “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.”

“Cruel Intentions” Witherspoon, Phillipe and Gellar

based on a book, drama, re-release, romance, , ,

Written and directed by Roger Kumble, Cruel Intentions arrived in the theaters in 1999. The movie played in the theaters again to celebrate its 20th anniversary. Now, there is a Cruel Intentions series set to stream on Amazon.

Let’s savor the award-winning movie first and foremost.

Based on a novel by Choderlos de Laclos, the story follows Kathryn, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar and Sebastian, played by Ryan Phillippe. It’s summer break, and Kathryn is dumped by her beau, Court Reynolds, played by Charlie O’Connell, for the innocent Cecile, played by Selma Blair.

Desperate to get even, Kathryn challenges Sebastian to ruin Cecile by taking her virginity and turning her into a tramp. The intent is to humiliate the Court by presenting him to Cecile, who is damaged goods.

Until now, Sebastian feels he has been with all the girls in New York City. He is bored with it all. Though this is too easy a conquest for him, he agrees to it.

He sets his sights on a greater challenge—the new headmaster’s daughter, Annette, played by Reese Witherspoon, who wrote an article in a magazine about how she intends to stay pure until she marries her boyfriend.

Sebastian bets Kathryn that he can seduce the chaste and pristine Annette before school begins in the fall. Kathryn thinks this exploit is impossible and agrees to the wager. As the stakes stand, if Sebastian succeeds, Kathryn must give him a night of unrestrained divine pleasure. A fantasy he’s dreamt about and wanted since their parents got married. If he fails, he must relinquish his 1956 Jaguar to Kathryn and suffer the shame of defeat.

The movie won several awards, including several MTV Movie Awards and one Teen Choice Award. Witherspoon also won the Blockbuster Entertainment Award (remember those?) for Favorite Supporting Actress in a Drama/Romance.

“Twilight 10th Anniversary” Trailer and Poster

based on a book, classic, drama, fantasy, re-release, romance,

We all know the story, right?

The franchised started off with the first installment directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Twilight is based on a series of novels by Stephenie Meyer. Bella Swan, Kristen Stewart, doesn’t expect much when she moves to the small town of Forks, Washington until she meets the mysterious and handsome Edward Cullen, played by Robert Pattinson. Cullen is a boy hiding a dark secret.  He’s a vampire. As their worlds and hearts collide, Edward must battle the bloodlust raging inside him as well as a small group of undead that would make Bella their prey.

All five of the Blu-ray Combo Packs feature new unique box art designs from renowned illustrator Justin Erikson, who brings to life the epic saga with his distinct illustrations. The entire collection includes hours of special features including deleted scenes, character featurettes, cast interviews, music videos and more. For additional value, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn – Part 1 also include both the Theatrical and the Extended versions of the film. Each of The Twilight Saga Blu-ray Combo Packs will be available for the suggested retail price of $14.99.

I admit I never read the books nor seen the movies but I know of the Twilight craze.  Careers were launch from this franchise, and the fan-based is strong. With that, enjoy the tenth-anniversary trailer.