Cutting Class (1989) coming from Vinegar

[FarewelltotheFlesh]

Originally Posted by zbinks

I think they probably got it from Moonstone Entertainment. The original US distributor was Republic Pictures. I don't think New World ever had any rights to the film, and I'm not seeing any mention of them on the Wikipedia page.

If they still have access to the Moonstone library (which it appears they do), they have several titles I'd love to see hit the format but they also have my most wanted blu-ray of any genre, Electra (1996) with Shannon Tweed. I assumed this was still with Lionsgate which is why I never request it but if VS could get it, I would be forever grateful.

[Leeon0]

Review is up.

[Kwebbotaurus]

Is this exclusive to the Black Friday event, or is that just the slipcover version?

[John Lyons]

Originally Posted by FarewelltotheFlesh

If they still have access to the Moonstone library (which it appears they do), they have several titles I'd love to see hit the format but they also have my most wanted blu-ray of any genre, Electra (1996) with Shannon Tweed. I assumed this was still with Lionsgate which is why I never request it but if VS could get it, I would be forever grateful.

We got it from the producer. Moonstone only repped the film.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Looks like VS will only be having 480 copies of each slipcover during the sale. Which one is everyone going after?

I like the axe through the head cover. I'm going to try and pick that one up.

[latehong]

Originally Posted by Kwebbotaurus

Is this exclusive to the Black Friday event, or is that just the slipcover version?

Just the slipcover versions. They will shred the remains after the sale.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

Looks like VS will only be having 480 copies of each slipcover during the sale. Which one is everyone going after?

I like the axe through the head cover. I'm going to try and pick that one up.

The only one I'm not keen on is the B&W cover (I don't think it's a good match for the actual film), so I'll just nab one of the other four. I'm just happy to have more Jill Schoelen & Roddy McDowall on Blu, let alone from VS.

[BladeRunner2007]

This movie is schlock at its best.

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by BladeRunner2007

This movie is schlock at its best.

Did you get lost? The Criterion thread is in the sticky section.

[meremortal]

Originally Posted by Worship.my.wreck

Looks like VS will only be having 480 copies of each slipcover during the sale. Which one is everyone going after?

I like the axe through the head cover. I'm going to try and pick that one up.

Bleacher slip was my favorite and the one I went with. The trampoline one was not among my favorites but is the best selling.

[Worship.my.wreck]

Yeah I went with the Axe cover. I'm also surprised the Trampoline cover sold the quickest.

[cyborgLIS]

Is this getting a wide release?

[deltatauhobbit]

Originally Posted by meremortal

Bleacher slip was my favorite and the one I went with. The trampoline one was not among my favorites but is the best selling.

I also picked the bleacher cover but the trampoline was my second fave so I understand why it’s more popular. I ultimately went with the bleacher cover because of its comic book nature.

[Scoot79]

Originally Posted by meremortal

Bleacher slip was my favorite and the one I went with. The trampoline one was not among my favorites but is the best selling.

Yeah, I like the bleacher one a lot too, but I ultimately went with the Kiln slip. The trampoline slip has sold out. I'm surprised that one was the favorite.

[Leeon0]

The bleacher artwork, in my opinion, captures the essence of the film most accurately: vibrant colors, goofy, fun, sexy, and yes, some terrible things happening--but in a silly, campy sort of way. Definitely a popcorn movie.

Some have criticized the movie apparently because they had expectations of a Friday the 13th type of flick. Come on, when you have a high school principal looking up a girl's skirt, or a cheerleader doffing her panties on the day of her big performance, you can't be that serious!

[The Great Owl]

When her father embarks on a hunting trip and leaves her alone at home for several days, Paula, a high school cheerleader played by Jill Schoelen (Popcorn, Curse II: The Bite), stays true to her studies while also enjoying some free time with her bratty basketball star boyfriend, Dwight, played by Brad Pitt in one of his first feature film roles. Meanwhile, Brian, a teenager played by Donovan Leitch Jr. (Glory), has just returned to the school after spending time in a mental institution for reportedly murdering his father. Brian, who has eyes for Paula, shyly watches her from a distance while also enduring constant abuse from Dwight, who takes pleasure in throwing his popular jock weight around while also trying the patience of his teachers because of his laziness. When teachers and students start to disappear, and murdered bodies turn up one by one, Paula discovers that the threat is closer than she could have ever imagined.

The 1989 slasher film, Cutting Class, which was directed by Rospo Pallenberg, was a latecomer in the genre that, like many of its late-1980s contemporaries, blends its grisly gore with splashes of black comedy. This is a flawed horror feature that never quite gets off the ground with regard to generating a sense of dread or foreboding, but it does ride high on a tide of red herrings, fantastic supporting actors, creative kills, and excellent set pieces, most notably a gym trampoline used for one murder and an auto mechanics shop class utilized for the intense final showdown. The final 20 minutes of this film are priceless when it comes to gleefully bloody mayhem.

Roddy McDowall (Planet of the Apes, Fright Night) showcases his endearing trademark brand of nerdy weirdness in his role as the high school principal. Brenda James (Slither, Patriot Games) is memorable as one of Paula's ill-fated friends.

Brad Pitt was still wet behind the ears in this early career appearance, but he nonetheless commands attention whenever he is on the screen. With his role as an inconsiderate troublemaker, he demonstrates hints of the unsafe edginess that would define his screen personas in movies like Se7en, Twelve Monkeys, and Fight Club. Cutting Class is quite obviously a film that was not intended to be taken entirely seriously, but Pitt's commitment to his work here is impressive.

I love one off-the-wall side plot in this movie involving Paula's father, played by Martin Mull (Clue, Jingle All the Way), who, while commencing his hunting trip, is shot with an arrow from an unseen assailant. The final payoff of this development had me chuckling during the conclusion.

Since I myself was a high school senior in 1989, I quite enjoy Cutting Class from a nostalgic standpoint. The hairstyles and clothing trends all bring back a flood of memories. More importantly, the alternative music soundtrack, which includes three songs from Wall of Voodoo, puts a smile on my face.

This Vinegar Syndrome Blu-ray passes the final exam with superb video and audio quality, as is par for course with this company. A 20-minute present-day interview with Jill Schoelen is wonderfully candid, while an interview with Donovan Leitch Jr. sheds some interesting lights on his co-stars. The commentary track from The Hysteria Continues is a good mix of informative observations and laughs.

[grindhousefunhouse]

Just watched my copy (got the Axe slip) and @ 1:23:54 on the Blu, the image froze up on me. Then I tried to FF and it jumped about 2 minutes, froze here and there and got the end credits. Anybody else got this issue?

[goodstuff]

Just watched mine with no skipping issues.
Hadn't seen this in a while and I really enjoyed it more than I was expecting.

[Keyser Soze.]

Watched my copy awhile back when I received my package. It played fine all the way through, no skips.

Just shoot VS an email about the bad disc and they’ll take care of you in no time.
They’re customer service is second to none.

[DennisAlexis]

Are their releases region free?