Blood Rage (1987)

[Majin Blu]

I do enjoy 80's slashers. Would this be recommended as a blind buy? If you need to know my thoughts for comparison, I thought "Final Exam" was kinda boring.

[cakefactory]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

I do enjoy 80's slashers. Would this be recommended as a blind buy? If you need to know my thoughts for comparison, I thought "Final Exam" was kinda boring.

In most books I've read about the genre, this is lumped in with examples of boring retreads and/or given a scathing review. I'll probably check it out to support Arrow, but it seems to be for slasher die-hards only based on its rep.

[HorrorBlu]

Originally Posted by reelgeek

I do enjoy 80's slashers. Would this be recommended as a blind buy? If you need to know my thoughts for comparison, I thought "Final Exam" was kinda boring.

If you enjoy '80s slashers, I imagine you'll enjoy this one. I'd compare it more to a cross between The Mutilator and Madman than a slasher like Final Exam. Maybe House Of Death might be another good comparison?

Even though the movie is fairly lite and goofy, the kill scenes are surprisingly graphic (definitely along the lines of The Mutilator). It's fairly fast paced as well. I certainly wouldn't call it boring.

If you enjoyed any of the three films I mentioned, I would certainly recommend a blind buy. And I'm sure Arrow's presentation will be top notch.

[Abby is Q]

Originally Posted by cakefactory

but it seems to be for slasher die-hards only based on its rep.

Good thing I fall right into that category!

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by NoirFan

I sent an inquiring email (about seamless branching), will post any response.

...

Originally Posted by Arrow email

This is still to be confirmed right now I am afraid.

[WITCHCULT]

Very excited for this one. It's about $36 on Amazon now. Is that because it's the UK import? Will the US version be less? I haven't gotten an Arrow US blu yet. I see it's also 27.99 on diabolik.

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-2-Disc-S.../dp/B00X43VSCE

[rdodolak]

Originally Posted by WITCHCULT

Very excited for this one. It's about $36 on Amazon now. Is that because it's the UK import? Will the US version be less? I haven't gotten an Arrow US blu yet. I see it's also 27.99 on diabolik.

http://www.amazon.com/Blood-2-Disc-S.../dp/B00X43VSCE

That's the US Arrow release. It should drop a bit in price closer to the release date but the US releases are more expensive because Arrow lists them with a $39.95 MSRP.

[defile959]

I believe all of the standard (non box-set, non price-war) Arrow releases have ended up shipping from Amazon at $25.29 thus far. After my 10-title perk ran out, I have pre-ordered all the subsequent titles and aside from Pit Stop (and certainly Stray Cat Rock) they've hit that price point. Not bad at all, considering what you get.

[dissention]

Has this been pushed back? Amazon lists it as coming out on September 22 now. I really wish Arrow would stop announcing dates if 90% are eventually going to be delayed.

[StingingVelvet]

Originally Posted by dissention

Has this been pushed back? Amazon lists it as coming out on September 22 now. I really wish Arrow would stop announcing dates if 90% are eventually going to be delayed.

Quite possible. Eaten Alive was originally under August 11th on my "coming soon" list, now it's coming the 25th.

[defile959]

After seeing this I had to go check my Amazon preorder. Amazon's order system still says "Guaranteed Delivery by August 25th, 2015 by 8pm" but if you look below it shows that the release date has changed to September 22nd.

Haven't seen anything official from Arrow, but I'm betting this has been pushed back.

[DetroitSportsFan]

I figured when Eaten Alive was bumped to August 25th that this would be bumped, because I didn't think Arrow would release two titles on the same day.

[defile959]

Sure enough, I just got an email from Amazon advising that the release of Blood Rage has been delayed to September 22nd.

[NoirFan]

Originally Posted by Ill_Be_Back

***BLOOD RAGE RELEASE UPDATE***

Good news! In order to meet demand we have decided to extend the slipcase for this title to the entire first pressing of the release (3,000 UK, 3,000 US). When our U.S. site is live we will look at alternative ways to offer limited edition extras such as slipcase so do watch this space! And if that wasn’t enough, the time has come to reveal the final design for the slipbox, newly commissioned AND the full specs (below!)

------------------------------------------------------------
IT’S NOT CRANBERRY SAUCE!!!

What do you get if you combine Thanksgiving, American TV star Louise Lasser (Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman), killer 80s synths and some truly gruesome special effects courtesy of Ed French (Terminator 2: Judgement Day). Why, it’s Blood Rage of course!

Twins Todd and Terry seem like sweet boys – that is, until one of them takes an axe to face of a fellow patron at the local drive-in. Todd is blamed for the bloody crime and institutionalised, whilst twin brother Terry goes free. Ten years later and, as the family gathers around the table for a Thanksgiving meal, the news comes in that Todd has escaped. But has the real killer in fact been in their midst all along? One thing’s for sure, there will be blood – and rage!

Shot in 1983 but not released until 1987, Blood Rage (re-cut and shown in theatres as Nightmare at Shadow Woods) is a gloriously gruesome slice of 80s slasher heaven – now lovingly restored (in 3 versions no less!) from original vault elements for its first ever official home video release.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS:
• Brand new 2K restoration of the original “hard” version, transferred from the camera negative and featuring the original title card Slasher!
• Nightmare at Shadow Woods – the re-edited, R-rated 1987 theatrical cut featuring footage exclusive to this version
• An alternate composite cut of the feature combining all the uncut gore sequences alongside additional footage from the theatrical version [Blu-ray only]
• High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
• Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
• Audio commentary with director John Grissmer
• Double Jeopardy – an interview with Actor Mark Soper
• Jeez, Louise! – an interview with actress Louise Lasser
• Both Sides of The Camera – an interview with producer/actress Marianne Kanter
• Man Behind The Mayhem – an interview with special make-up effects creator Ed French
• Three Minutes with Ted – an interview with actor Ted Raimi
• Return to Shadow Woods – featurette revisiting the original Jacksonville, Florida locations
• Alternate Blood Rage VHS opening titles
• Behind-the-scenes make-up effects gallery
• Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sadist Art Designs
• Fully-illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Joseph A. Ziemba, programmer for Alamo Drafthouse and author of BLEEDING SKULL! A 1980s Trash-Horror Odyssey

So they've apparently ditched the VHS art, which I far prefer to the severed hand design. I always thought it was totally redundant for labels to use an identical image for the slipcover and the front cover anyway. What's the point? It would have been cool if the slip were a different design entirely - like, say, the VHS art.

[Wernski]

Yeah, miss the OG artwork, but love the extras - holy cow! They got everyone and everything!

[PowellPressburger]

I love the severed hand Slip cover artwork. Looks like poster art from the early 80's. perfect.

[NoirFan]

Hmm, maybe the reverse will still be the original VHS art - the severed hand image posted is only in 'slipbox form'. Has anyone asked them on Facebook?

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by PowellPressburger

Looks like poster art from the early 80's. perfect.

My thoughts exactly If it weren't for that banner at the bottom and the size of the packaging , you'd be hard pressed to tell this is a 2015 Blu-ray release! The extras on this release are phenomenal. 3 cuts of the film, all those interviews, a booklet and awesome packaging - holy cow, this is how you do it!

[morningtoke]

Originally Posted by cine74

My thoughts exactly If it weren't for that banner at the bottom and the size of the packaging , you'd be hard pressed to tell this is a 2015 Blu-ray release! The extras on this release are phenomenal. 3 cuts of the film, all those interviews, a booklet and awesome packaging - holy cow, this is how you do it!

So If I'm reading that right is it guaranteed that ALL US pre-orders will have that sweet slipcover? This is my first arrow release (a long with the mutilator) and I can't wait to watch these bad boys back to back!

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by morningtoke

So If I'm reading that right is it guaranteed that ALL US pre-orders will have that sweet slipcover? This is my first arrow release (a long with the mutilator) and I can't wait to watch these bad boys back to back!

They upped the slipcover count to 3,000 units so I guess that pretty much guarantees they all will have the slip. I'd love to make this a double feature with The Mutilator as well but don't know if I'll be able to resist waiting UNLESS they both street around the same time. Blood Rage is now scheduled for the same date as Mutilator but Arrow's titles always seem to get pushed back. Time will tell.