Dark Force Entertainment Discussion Thread

[HorrorBlu]

Are there any reviews out there that have done a detailed comparison between their release of The Last Victim versus the updated Forced Entry release?

I have the former release, and while the film footage looks great there are lots of VHS quality inserts throughout. Curious about the differences between the cuts, and if the new release is entirely film sourced.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

Are there any reviews out there that have done a detailed comparison between their release of The Last Victim versus the updated Forced Entry release?

I have the former release, and while the film footage looks great there are lots of VHS quality inserts throughout. Curious about the differences between the cuts, and if the new release is entirely film sourced.

I haven't watched my forced entry but if no one else responds I can let you know later

[Dvd Aficionado]

Originally Posted by Surge92

Is The Banker any good?

I watched this on video years ago and didn't like it. It's rather dull. The plot itself reminded me of another similarly-themed crime-horror thriller released several years before it, which starred Robert Z'Dar, and was more fun.

[Show spoiler]
The Night Stalker should have gotten a BD release, instead of The Banker.

[Energy Crisis]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

Are there any reviews out there that have done a detailed comparison between their release of The Last Victim versus the updated Forced Entry release?

I have the former release, and while the film footage looks great there are lots of VHS quality inserts throughout. Curious about the differences between the cuts, and if the new release is entirely film sourced.

This isn't a detailed comparison but the Forced Entry cut really is a totally different movie. Far, far sleazier than The Last Victim (which I thought was kind of a bore really). I don't recall seeing any SD inserts in Forced Entry. There's a longer tape sourced version on the disc as an extra, but I think the main feature is straight from a print. I'm glad I picked it up.

[agenda]

Originally Posted by Dvd Aficionado

The Night Stalker should have gotten a BD release, instead of The Banker.

Correcto mundo! I've been yelling that forever and last time in Vinegar Syndrome thread ages ago! That movie is one the biggest MUST happen on Blu-ray.

[russweiss1]

The newspaper ad featured different artwork.

Night Stalker 1986 Lobby Newspaper Ad.jpg

[Bradsdadg]

Gave Kill Crazy a watch last night. Very fun flick! Definitely recommend you pick this one up if you are interested. Pretty cool cast as well. Danielle Brisebois, some may remember as little Stephanie from All In The Family, showed off her talents along with Rachelle Carson. Lawrence Hilton Jacobs from Welcome Back Kotter. Burt Ward is even in this one, though he didn't talk much. David Heavener as the main star is an interesting cat.

Bunch of great practical effects, explosions, etc. Basically B movie cheesy goodness! Appreciated the interview Demon Dave did with Heavener. He mentioned trying to get some other of his movies, which I would be down for!

[HighScore Valerie]

Saw MVD is giving Scream a wider release on their facebook page. I presume it will be the same disc with no SDH/subtitles?

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by HighScore Valerie

Saw MVD is giving Scream a wider release on their facebook page. I presume it will be the same disc with no SDH/subtitles?

There has never been a wide release of a dark force title that had different disc content than the dark force exclusive

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

Are there any reviews out there that have done a detailed comparison between their release of The Last Victim versus the updated Forced Entry release?

I have the former release, and while the film footage looks great there are lots of VHS quality inserts throughout. Curious about the differences between the cuts, and if the new release is entirely film sourced.

Alright, so I actually watched most of all 3 cuts over both releases which probably doesn't describe most people who have talked about these releases, heh

the newer one:

This looks like a typical 70s decent quality scan. Pretty nice, HD resolution, muted colors. Looks much more filmlike and consistent than the old release. No standard def inserts. However, the specific cut of the film here that makes it the theatrical "Forced Entry" SUCKS imo, destroyed by a ridiculous voiceover that goes on and on and on throughout the movie (i watched 30-40mins before i turned it off because I couldnt take it anymore, and I sat through Night of the Dribbler), and lots of added unnecessary BS. Its like they took all the footage from the original, spliced it all together and put godawful voiceovers over the whole thing. Its kind of insane, if I recall correctly, when the older pair of cuts were released people were begging for this pile of crap cut instead when either of those cuts are SO much better!



the older one:

This looks like a lot of digital work was done to it. Contrast and saturation was boosted to give a more modern look. DNR & EE, too. Has some poor quality SD inserts. Has two cuts. The Last Victim Cut, specifically, is by far the best of all three of these options in terms of an entertaining movie to watch; so while the video quality on this one is way more inconsistent and digital looking, the movie itself is far better and less annoying than the new release. If you have this one, IMO you aren't missing anything by not getting the new one unless you are a completionist or enjoy badly acted monologues that drone on and on.

[Energy Crisis]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Alright, so I actually watched most of all 3 cuts over both releases which probably doesn't describe most people who have talked about these releases, heh

the newer one:

[Show spoiler]

This looks like a typical 70s decent quality scan. Pretty nice, HD resolution, muted colors. Looks much more filmlike and consistent than the old release. No standard def inserts. However, the specific cut of the film here that makes it the theatrical "Forced Entry" SUCKS imo, destroyed by a ridiculous voiceover that goes on and on and on throughout the movie (i watched 30-40mins before i turned it off because I couldnt take it anymore, and I sat through Night of the Dribbler), and lots of added unnecessary BS. Its like they took all the footage from the original, spliced it all together and put godawful voiceovers over the whole thing. Its kind of insane, if I recall correctly, when the older pair of cuts were released people were begging for this pile of crap cut instead when either of those cuts are SO much better!



the older one:

[Show spoiler]

This looks like a lot of digital work was done to it. Contrast and saturation was boosted to give a more modern look. DNR & EE, too. Has some poor quality SD inserts. Has two cuts. The Last Victim Cut, specifically, is by far the best of all three of these options in terms of an entertaining movie to watch; so while the video quality on this one is way more inconsistent and digital looking, the movie itself is far better and less annoying than the new release. If you have this one, IMO you aren't missing anything by not getting the new one unless you are a completionist or enjoy badly acted monologues that drone on and on.

The Forced Entry cut is a trashy exploitation flick that delivers exactly what it promises. The Last Victim plays like a proto-Lifetime movie. To each their own, but I know which one of those is going to get my attention. But I agree that the Forced Entry disc is easily the better technical presentation of the two.

[HorrorBlu]

LOL

[Nosferatu31]

Wow! That's some bad artwork.

[HorrorBlu]

Some May Pass The Test...
Microsoft Paint The Rest!

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by Surge92

Is The Banker any good?

decent time waster? yes

any good? no

[xXx$uicide_Ma$terxXx]

Originally Posted by HorrorBlu

LOL

Gotta quote this for the new page

[Ruined]

Art style aside, the final quality will likely be much crisper than this - if you look at the dark force logo and catalog # in the lower left its blurry - so this is likely a low res image that was upscaled and heavily filtered resulting in the blurry edges.

[jmilo61]

Originally Posted by Ruined

Art style aside, the final quality will likely be much crisper than this - if you look at the dark force logo and catalog # in the lower left its blurry - so this is likely a low res image that was upscaled and heavily filtered resulting in the blurry edges.

Yeah, the image that's up on Facebook is clearer. I seriously doubt it's going to change anyone's opinion on anything though.

I generally really like Dark Force slipcovers. They're one of most consistently decent labels for using artwork that fits my tastes. This is ain't for me, but they don't all have to be. I'll still be buying.

[Sleazeaddict]

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by jmilo61

Yeah, the image that's up on Facebook is clearer. I seriously doubt it's going to change anyone's opinion on anything though.

I generally really like Dark Force slipcovers. They're one of most consistently decent labels for using artwork that fits my tastes. This is ain't for me, but they don't all have to be. I'll still be buying.

Same artist did the yet to be unveiled slipcover for upcoming black gestapo release

This looks like that pop art style you see on some steelbooks, prob not the best fit for a slasher. Where they went wrong was not having glow in the dark blood