Arrow Films US May 2015 releases: Retaliation, Society, and Island of Death

[polyresinator]

MVD Entertainment Group furthers the distribution of Arrow Video in the US with a strong schedule of May titles...



Retaliation - Limited Edition Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqfU...C2kDntQVWPrFOb

In 1969 future sexploitation specialist Yasuharu Hasebe (Stray Cat Rock: Sex Hunter) teamed up with the inimitable Jô Shishido (Tokyo Drifter, Branded to Kill) for a follow up to their yakuza hit Massacre Gun.

A tale of gang warfare that features a raft of the period's most iconic stars, Akira Kobayashi (Battles Without Honor and Humanity, The Flowers and the Angry Waves) is a yakuza lieutenant who emerges from jail to find his gang dispersed and his aging boss in his sickbed. Shishido is the rival waiting to kill him and a young Meiko Kaji (Lady Snowblood) is the girl caught in the crossfire.

Gritty and cynical, Retaliation is a hardboiled precursor to Kinji Fukasaku's revisionist yakuza pictures of the 1970s.

Special Edition Contents:
- Limited Edition Blu-ray (3000 copies only)
- Restored High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation, on Blu-ray for the first time in the world!
- Original uncompressed mono PCM audio
- Newly translated English subtitles
- Brand new interview with star Jô Shishido
- Interview with renowned critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Original theatrical trailer
- Gallery featuring rare promotional images
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ian MacEwan
- Booklet featuring new writing on the film by Japanese cinema expert Jasper Sharp, newly illustrated by Ian MacEwan and featuring original archive stills

Specs:
- Region: A+B/1+2
- Duration: TBC
- Language: Japanese
- Subtitles: English
- Audio: Mono
- Color
- Discs: 2
- SRP: $39.95
- Release Date: 5/12

Society - Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEzM...ature=youtu.be

IT'S ALL ABOUT FITTING IN

After producing Stuart Gordon's hit Re-Animator, Brian Yuzna (Bride of Re-Animator, Return of the Living Dead III) turned his hand to directing with 1989's Society, and gave birth to one of the ickiest, most original body horror shockers of all time.

Teenager Bill Whitney (Billy Warlock) has always felt like the odd one out in his wealthy, upper-class Beverly Hills family. For some reason, he just doesn't seem to fit in. But his sense of alienation takes a sinister turn when he overhears a surreptitious audio recording of his sister's coming-out party, which seems to implicate his family and others in a bizarre, ritualistic orgy. And then there are the strange things he's been seeing - glimpses of people with their bodies contorted impossibly out of shape... Is Billy going mad or is there something seriously amiss in his neighbourhood?

Packing stomach-churning grue and thought-provoking social commentary in equal measure, Society is a biting horror satire which culminates in one of the most leftfield, gag-inducing "climaxes" in all of horror history - just don't eat beforehand!

Special Edition Contents:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- New Audio Commentary with Director Brian Yuzna
- Governor Of Society with Brian Yuzna
- The Masters Of The Hunt with stars Billy Warlock, Devin Devasquez, Ben Meyerson and Tim Bartell
- The Champions Of The Shunt with FX Artists Screaming Mad George, David Grasso and Nick Benson
- Screaming Mad George music video
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork
- Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

Specs:
- Region: Free
- Duration: 99 mins
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English SDH
- Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
- Audio: 2.0
- Color
- Discs: 2
- SRP: $39.95
- Release Date: 5/19

Island of Death - Dual Format Blu-ray & DVD

Trailer (warning, this is extreme!)

Island Of Death 1977 Trailer AKA Cruel Destination - YouTube

THE LUCKY ONES GOT THEIR BRAINS BLOWN OUT!!

Welcome to Mykonos, the holiday destination of choice for sun, sea and slaughter! From cult director Nico Mastorakis, Island of Death is a travelogue of atrocities with scenes so strong that the British Government was once compelled to ban it as a "video nasty".

Arriving on the idyllic Greek island, Christopher and Celia appear to be every inch the perfect, handsome young couple. Little do the welcoming locals realise that they are in fact a pair of murderous degenerates, determined to spread their own particular brand of perversion across the island. DIY crucifixions, opportunistic bestiality, sexual peeing and murder by all conceivable forms ensue - including death by makeshift blowtorch, samurai sword, dump truck and more!

Shocking, brutal and totally politically incorrect in its outlook, Island of Death is a gruelling cinematic experience devised by director Mastorakis to out-do the excesses of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which he was hugely inspired by. Now fully uncut and newly-restored from the original negative, fans can enjoy Island of Death in all its sleazy, lurid glory.

Special Edition Contents:
- Brand new restoration from the original negative
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation
- Optional English SDH subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Brand new interview with director Nico Mastorakis
- The Films of Nico Mastorakis - the director hosts this documentary covering his varied career in cinema, including a look at Island of Death
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by - - Graham Humphreys
- Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

Specs:
- Region: Free
- Duration: TBC
- Language: English
- Subtitles: English SDH
- Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
- Audio: Mono
- Color
- Discs: 2
- SRP: $39.95
- Release Date: 5/26

Arrow's global reputation as one of the finest labels in the world has come about through consistent high quality product and a focus on fan-based products always at its core. This includes a major investment on restoring original material through modern techniques as well as pioneering packaging solutions and newly commissioned artwork for each release.

[stephenharrod]

Island of death was so profoundly F-ed up...I watched it casually in the afternoon via my shudder subscription. I kinda want to pick up the arrow release...just to see the weirdos people behind this display of depravity.

[Jr7936]

I deleated my original post after i realised thread wasnt recent and i made fool of myself after postibg

Yes island of death was messed up but amazing soundtrack

[DaylightsEnd]

Just picked up Island of Death and gave it a spin. Not exactly sure what I just watched, but it's a keeper. Pretty frikkin' wack. The transfer actually looks fairly decent for the most part, despite some obvious, unfortunate damage in several areas. Not much was able to be done to clean it up or repair it beyond what Arrow has done here, but, not unlike Shock Waves or The Final Terror, it's still great to have it on blu, and looking as good as it does.

[ps3bd_owner]

I watched "Island of Death" today and I was expecting to feel shocked, disturbed, horrified and amused at the same time, but it didn't really "wow" me in any aspect. There are movies and series which capture those moments a lot better, an example? "Come and See"

The movie is alright, but nothing great. I did kind of enjoy the 4:3 AR, heh.

By the way, the blonde actress was gorgeous. She passed away in 2012 by the age of 97 or so. RIP.

[DukeTogo84]

Retaliation was the second Arrow title I ever bought. Good memories.

[agentalbert]

Curious - the review of this mentions a 22 page booklet, but the listing doesn't indicate "first pressing only" or anything like that. Is the booklet with all version of this, even new ones purchased now?

[nabelnabel]

Originally Posted by agentalbert

Curious - the review of this mentions a 22 page booklet, but the listing doesn't indicate "first pressing only" or anything like that. Is the booklet with all version of this, even new ones purchased now?

Not sure which title you're referring to, but I believe all Arrow booklets are limited to first pressing only.

[agentalbert]

Originally Posted by nabelnabel

Not sure which title you're referring to, but I believe all Arrow booklets are limited to first pressing only.

I was referring to Island Of Death. Sorry, just realized this thread wasn't for that title alone.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by agentalbert

Curious - the review of this mentions a 22 page booklet, but the listing doesn't indicate "first pressing only" or anything like that. Is the booklet with all version of this, even new ones purchased now?

This review was before the days when Arrow made booklets a limited thing. But on any new copies you will not find the booklet.

[DaylightsEnd]

It would be awesome to see Arrow use best efforts to try to restore Island of Death in 4k uhd, although I suspect it may be unlikely. Its depravity has grown on me, as has its excellent Mykonos setting and beautiful location shoot. It could certainly use the resto efforts, if it were ever to happen.

[miskatonic22]

You know...on one hand I am beyond thrilled that these are coming out and that Arrow is releasing titles in the US. On the other hand, my poor, poor wallet
Still, this is awesome news.