Graduation Day (1981)

[Odradek]

Is there still no comparison between the two discs? I just got the disc from the Black Friday Sales at Vinegar Syndromes shop, only to realize afterwards we also have a European release with 88 Films. Also the cool documentary on that disc!
Are the commentaries on the VS disc interesting?

Should I cancel it and get the 88 Film disc instead? I am actually mostly interested in the video quality. Is it the same master for both releases?

[balthazar_bee]

If I remember correctly, the Vinegar release is the PQ favourite. I've got it and have no complaints -- it's rough around the edges but nothing apparent in the way of digital manipulation.

[davidjjanderson1981]

Just ordered this movie from 88films in the UK, looking forward to it.

[Werdsniper2]

Great review. I've been looking at which 80s slasher to buy next, so I decided upon this one after reading that. It was on my wish list anyway. A little pricey for me at $18 but ehh...I'll deal.

It arrives today. Hopefully I get some time to watch it this week.

[chicolane16]

Is this region b locked? I was looking on amazon and it gave me a warning saying it's region b.

[levcore]

The US release won't be region b locked as it's for the US market.

[sonicyogurt]

Originally Posted by chicolane16

Is this region b locked? I was looking on amazon and it gave me a warning saying it's region b.

I don't know why Amazon's saying that, but you're good to go. I ordered from the ASIN that's throwing that error 5 years ago (my very first VS!), and it is indeed Vinegar Syndrome's, which is all-region.

[jdw89]

Is this OOP? Or just between pressings?

[darkonex]

I randomly check to see if this movie is back in print or if a good price is on Ebay, and saw the VS release on Target and Amazon for preorder for 3/30 so I preordered it, it's $23, so excite! Oddly it's also for preorder on Walmart.com but for $199 lol.

[bigdaddyhorse]

Originally Posted by darkonex

I randomly check to see if this movie is back in print or if a good price is on Ebay, and saw the VS release on Target and Amazon for preorder for 3/30 so I preordered it, it's $23, so excite! Oddly it's also for preorder on Walmart.com but for $199 lol.

Be interesting to see if any of these places come through with new discs. No mention of it coming back from VS, and their site still shows it as "sold out". Didn't even notice this had gone OOP until this thread popped back up. Very glad I got it when it was cheap and available.

[WesReviews]

Pretty sure VS said this one was coming back into print along with Frightmare and another title or two.

[xwred5]

Amazon and Target has it up for preorder.

[monomark]

Since this thread has gotten a bump, I'd like to ask: Is Graduation Day better than Final Exam?

I bought Final Exam recently and while it does have its low-budget, early 80s charms, I still have to say that not a lot really happens in the movie. Usually with slashers, even though the killer isn't always around, his presence is at least felt, or suggested, while the main characters go about their normal business; we're meant to anticipate and dread their inevitable fates. In Final Exam you don't really get any of that, so when the carnage begins in the last act, it just kind of... happens.

(Not to mention that fact that the killer in Final Exam also does some silly things for the sake of still-not-very-effective jump scares. )

If Graduation Day is at least better than Final Exam in that regard, I'll probably pick it up to add to my B-List slasher collection.

[Lucy Ashton]

Originally Posted by monomark

Since this thread has gotten a bump, I'd like to ask: Is Graduation Day better than Final Exam?

I bought Final Exam recently and while it does have its low-budget, early 80s charms, I still have to say that not a lot really happens in the movie. Usually with slashers, even though the killer isn't always around, his presence is at least felt, or suggested, while the main characters go about their normal business; we're meant to anticipate and dread their inevitable fates. In Final Exam you don't really get any of that, so when the carnage begins in the last act, it just kind of... happens.

(Not to mention that fact that the killer in Final Exam also does some silly things for the sake of still-not-very-effective jump scares. )

If Graduation Day is at least better than Final Exam in that regard, I'll probably pick it up to add to my B-List slasher collection.

In terms of dread/anticipation, I'd say Graduation Day is closer to Final Exam than it is to, say, Halloween. At least one of the deaths are impractically elaborate, and there is a beheading, but don't come here for for gore and nerve-wracking suspense. I do enjoy it though, for that early 80's slasher charm.

[dallywhitty]

Originally Posted by monomark

Since this thread has gotten a bump, I'd like to ask: Is Graduation Day better than Final Exam?

I'd say so. Though I may be in the minority with that opinion, as Graduation Day doesn't seem to be particularly well-liked.

[toodeepuntilnow]

Originally Posted by monomark

Since this thread has gotten a bump, I'd like to ask: Is Graduation Day better than Final Exam?

I bought Final Exam recently and while it does have its low-budget, early 80s charms, I still have to say that not a lot really happens in the movie. Usually with slashers, even though the killer isn't always around, his presence is at least felt, or suggested, while the main characters go about their normal business; we're meant to anticipate and dread their inevitable fates. In Final Exam you don't really get any of that, so when the carnage begins in the last act, it just kind of... happens.

(Not to mention that fact that the killer in Final Exam also does some silly things for the sake of still-not-very-effective jump scares. )

If Graduation Day is at least better than Final Exam in that regard, I'll probably pick it up to add to my B-List slasher collection.

The problem with questions like this is that’s it’s subjective opinion. What works for me might not for you.

I think Final Exam is a top-30 slasher movie. It’s fun with great characters. I love it. While not terrible, I don’t feel the urge to watch Graduation Day, ever. It is more like what you seem to be looking for, though.

[Pinot Grigio]

I really like both Final Exam and Graduation Day. Better characters in the former, stronger kills in the latter. More self awareness in FE, cool editing in GD.

[mboatman]

I just received my Slip Cover edition of Graduation Day along with Dario Argento's Trauma. I thought I was getting something new and see that it is identical to the previous pressing as in terms of extras. There is nothing new here just a slip cover. It does contain a new bar code. I was really disappointed since I had the original release already. If you are a fan of slip covers this is for you!

[RandomMovieFan]

am i the only one who loves the editing in this movie it just seems so different to other slashers

[levcore]

I really like the movie but I think it's too long and sluggish in its pacing so I don't agree about the editing tbh. I feel it could be tightened up a lot.