Hello, and welcome. The 2022 edition of my Top 15 Home Video Releases will be briefer than past editions because I am unusually busy. However, there were quite a few interesting releases this year that I wanted to highlight. As a caveat, same as in previous years, I have not, and will not see everything released this year because much of it is repackaging and even more don’t interest me. With that said, enjoy. NOTE: None of the links are affiliate links and most of them go to DiabolikDVD, my online store of choice.
15 Herzog: The Collection, Vol. 2
Director: Werner Herzog
Writer: Werner Herzog
Minutes: 654
Company: Shout Select
When Shout Factory released their original Herzog: The Collection back in 2014 I had no idea that there would eventually be a follow-up with some of the legendary directors more peculiar documentaries. Knowing how oddly delightful these films are, I have been toying with importing a DVD collection from Werner’s website. I am glad I didn’t because it would cost an arm and a leg and my patience (read laziness) gave me this new Blu-ray edition of many of the films. It isn’t complete so I’d wager that there may be a volume 3 eventually, maybe in 2030?
- Films:
- Signs of Life
- The Great Ecstasy of Woodcarver Steiner
- How Much Wood Would a Woodchuck Chuck
- La Soufriere
- God’s Angry Man
- Huie’s Sermon
- The Dark Glow of the Mountains
- Herdmsen of the Sun
- Echoes From a Somber Empire
- Wheel of Time
- The Wild Blue Yonder
14 Shaft (and Shaft’s Big Score)
Director: Gordon Parks
Writer: Ernet Tidyman, with John D.F. Black
Minutes: 204 (Combined)
Company: The Criterion Collection
I have been a fan of the Shaft movies since well before I understood their true value. The moment Criterion, of all places, announced a new 4k release of Gordon Parks masterful film it was a day one pre-order. This impertinent writer actually questioned why Shaft in Africa was not also included before a smarty pants reminded me that Parks did not direct that one.
As someone who gladly upgraded this from Blu-ray I can easily assert that you are getting a fully stacked package here. Not only is there a second whole, and arguably better, feature, you also have a few hours of bonus features to represent a complete collectors edition. We can argue whether Shaft or Big Score is better, but as produced features go Shaft’s Big Score has full studio money behind it giving a more grand experience. Good new, though, you get both so you can judge for yourself.
- SPECIAL FEATURES
- New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- Alternate uncompressed stereo soundtrack remastered with creative input from Isaac Hayes III
- In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and two Blu-rays with the film and special features
- Shaft’s Big Score!, the 1972 follow-up to Shaft by director Gordon Parks
- New documentary featuring curator Rhea L. Combs, film scholar Racquel J. Gates, filmmaker Nelson George, and music scholar Shana L. Redmond
- Soul in Cinema: Filming “Shaft” on Location (1971)
- Archival interviews with Parks, musician Isaac Hayes, and actor Richard Roundtree
- New program on Hayes’s score featuring Redmond
- New interview with costume designer Joseph G. Aulisi
- New program on the Black detective featuring scholar Kinohi Nishikawa and novelist Walter Mosley
- A Complicated Man: The “Shaft” Legacy (2019)
- Trailers
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: An essay by film scholar Amy Abugo Ongiri
09 Raging Bull
Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: Paul Schrader and Mardik Martin
Minutes: 129
Company: The Criterion Collection
Its perfect. If you are a collector, buy it. If you are not a collector, but just like perfect movies? Buy it.
- DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New 4K digital master, approved by director Martin Scorsese, with 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- In the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Three audio commentaries, featuring Scorsese and editor Thelma Schoonmaker; director of photography Michael Chapman, producers Robert Chartoff and Irwin Winkler, casting director Cis Corman, music consultant Robbie Robertson, and others; and boxer Jake La Motta and screenwriters Mardik Martin and Paul Schrader
- New video essays by film critics Geoffrey O’Brien and Sheila O’Malley
- Fight Night, a making-of program featuring Scorsese and key members of the cast and crew
- Three short programs highlighting the longtime collaboration between Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro
- Television interview from 1981 with actor Cathy Moriarty and the real Vikki La Motta
- Interview with Jake La Motta from 1990
- Program from 2004 featuring veteran boxers reminiscing about La Motta
- Trailer
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: Essays by poet Robin Robertson and film critic Glenn Kenny
12 Hard Rock Zombies
Director: Krishna Shah
Writer: David Allen Ball and Krishna Shah
Minutes: 98
Company: Vinegar Syndrome
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if A HARD DAYS NIGHT had a baby from a three-way with ROCK AND ROLL HIGH SCHOOL and DEAD ALIVE, and then that baby fell victim to a zombie attack? Well, witness the majesty of HARD ROCK ZOMBIES.
If you are into hair metal, regional nazi death cults, knock off Sawyer family meals, or Phil Fondacaro, Vohnkar from WILLOW, then you should consider watching HARD ROCK ZOMBIES. While it is not what you might call “technically good” it is a riot and a sure fire cult film that just might break into your annual playlist.
Also, there is a second feature in this release, SLAUGHTERHOUSE ROCK which I haven’t watched it. Double the fun.
Special Features:
- Hard Rock Zombies Never Say Die
- Popcorn Farts and Low Budget Cheese
- From Bit Player to Band Leader
- The Bible of Holy Moses
11 Infernal Affairs Trilogy
Director: Andrew Lau, Alan Mak,
Writer: Alan Mak, Felix Chong,
Minutes: 338
Company: The Criterion Collection
Since The Departed is a remake of Infernal Affairs I was familiar with the title, though I had not yet seen the film. And, in full honesty I haven’t watched parts two or three yet. I am an immediate fan, I didn’t doubt that I would be. This is a fairly packed set that will definitely get a full, cover to cover, once over from yours truly.
- DIRECTOR-APPROVED THREE-BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New 4K digital restorations, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks
- Audio commentaries for Infernal Affairs and Infernal Affairs II featuring codirectors Andrew Lau Wai-keung and Alan Mak and screenwriter Felix Chong Man-keung
- Alternate ending for Infernal Affairs
- New interview with Lau and Mak
- Archival interviews with Lau, Mak, Chong, and actors Andy Lau Tak-wah, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Anthony Wong Chau-sang, Kelly Chen Wai-lam, Edison Chen Koon-hei, Eric Tsang Chi-wai, and Chapman To Man-chak
- Making-of programs
- Behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes, and outtakes
- Trailers
- New English subtitle translations
- PLUS: An essay by film critic Justin Chang
10 Ambulance
Director: Michael Bay
Writer: Chris Fedak
Minutes: 136
Company: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
This was a last minute addition to the list. The short version is that this if a film about two brothers who rob a bank and escape in an ambulance. It is edge-of-your-seat action like you would expect from Michael Bay. It is smash ’em up, blow ’em up effects like you would expect from Michael Bay.
What you won’t expect is the nausea inducing camera movements by profesional drone racers Jordan Temkin and Alex Vanover. If you think you have seem incredible arreal action shots then you need to be ready because footage like that in this film will knock your socks clear into the next county.
Also, Jake Gyllenhaal, that’s all.
Special Features
- Bayhem
- Pedal to the Metal (2160p/Dolby Vision, 9:34)
- Aerial Assault
- Finding Ambulance
- Chase Capital of the World
- A Tribute to First Responders
13 Contraband
Director: Lucio Fulci
Writer: Ettore Sanzo, Gianni De Chiara, Fulci, and Giorgio Mariuzzo.
Minutes: 97
Company: Cauldron Films
Have you ever wished that you could see what Lucio Fulci could do with a German Krimi film? Well, here is your change. Contraband is a grimy gangster film with dueling mafias, explosions, boat chases, and aging directors shooting a machine gun. PLUS Fulci style gory violence. The limited edition is still available and comes with a terrific CD soundtrack by Fabio Frizzi.
Sadly, it does not come with the sweet lenticular cover from the Shameless Films DVD. (Seriously, it is amazing. )
Special Features
- 4K restoration from the negative / 1080p presentation
- English language audio
- Optional English SDH subtitles
- Italian language audio with English subtitles
- New Interview with writer Giorgio Mariuzzo
- New Interview with actress Ivana Monti
- New Interview with actor Saverio Marconi
- Archival Interview with actor Fabrizio Jovine
- Archival Interview with actor Venantino Venantini
- Archival Interview with cinematographer Sergio Salvati
- Archival Interview with composer Fabio Frizzi
- New audio commentary by film historians Troy Howarth, Nathaniel Thompson and Bruce Holecheck
- Image Gallery
- Trailers
- Reversible Blu-ray wrap with alternate artwork
- 1980 / Italy / Action, Crime / Director – Lucio Fulci / 1.85:1 / 97 min.
08 Don’t Go in the House
Director: Joseph Ellison
Writer: Ellen Hammill, Joe Masefield, and Ellison
Minutes: 92
Company: Severin Films
If I had to pick a surprise sleeper for this list it would be Don’t Go In the House. Severin does the film a disservice with their slipcover. I snagged it when at Cinema Wasteland after over hearing a couple of people championing the film. In Severin’s defense none of the other posters did much to sell this film, which had a lousy name, referencing the trend of the “Don’t X the Y,” style movie. This is covered in the interviews on the disc.
Anyway, this psychological horror is a top shelf regional horror that is genuinely frightening. I would recommend going in completely blind, like I managed, because it is a transfixing experience, which you are better served with zero hints or expectations.
Special Features:
Disc 1 (Theatrical Cut)
- THE BURNING: Alternate TV Cut
- Audio Commentary With Director Joe Ellison And Producer Ellen Hammill
- Archival Commentary With Actor Dan Grimaldi
- “House” Keeping: Interviews With Co-Producer Matthew Mallinson and Co-Writer Joseph R. Masefield
- We Went In The House!: The Locations Of DON’T GO IN THE HOUSE
- Playing With Fire: Archival Interview With Actor Dan Grimaldi
- Trailer Gallery
- Image Gallery
- ***Additional Special Feature: Reversible Artwork
Disc 2 (Integral Cut)
- Audio Commentary With Stephen Thrower, Author Of Nightmare USA
- Minds On Fire: Video Essay By The Reprobate David Flint
- Burn Baby Burn: Interview With Director Joseph Ellison
- Grindhouse All-Stars: Interviews With Filmmakers Matt Cimber, Joseph Ellison, Roy Frumkes and Jeff Lieberman
- Disc Specs:
- Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
- Audio: English Mono/English Descriptive Audio
- Closed Captions
- Region A
- Run time: Theatrical Cut: 83 mins / TV Cut: 90 mins / Integral Cut: 92 mins
07 Heat
Director: Michael Mann
Writer: Michael Mann
Minutes: 170
Release: Disney
I mean, its HEAT. The big budget remake of L.A. Takedown. Did you know that NBC turned down a chance to have a HEAT television show by Mann? Whoops. If you like Michael Mann films this one should already be on your list, I’ve vouch for it.
Special Features and Technical Specs:
- PREVIOUSLY REMASTERED IN 4K
- HDR PRESENTATION OF THE FILM
- DTS-HD MASTER AUDIO 5.1 TRACK
- Academy Panel reuniting Mann, Pacino and De Niro and moderated by Christopher Nolan
- Toronto International Film Festival Q&A with Mann
- Audio Commentary by Michael Mann
- The Making of Heat
- True Crime
- Crime Stories
- Into the Fire
- Pacino and De Niro: The Conversation
- Return to the Scene of the Crime
- Additional Footage – Deleted Scenes
- Scene 5 – Season’s starting early
- Scene 42 – Nicest guy on the block
- Scene 55 – Albert and Hanna (Alternate Take)
- Scene 62 – Shakedown
- Scene 76 – Murder in C-Block
- Scene 96A – Let’s Dance
- Scene 125 – Late arrival
- Scene 148/147 – Where’s Anna?
- Scene 177B – Double the worst trouble
- Scene 191 – Nate delivers
- Scene 204A – No response
- Theatrical Trailers
- Surprise of a Lifetime
- Two Actors Collide
- Closing In
- Optional English SDH, Spanish, and French subtitles for the main feature
06 Lawrence of Arabia
Director: David Lean
Writer: Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson
Minutes: 227
Company: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
I can still remember the first time I saw this film. I was transfixed and mesmerized. It felt like a hallucinations, a fever dream, if you would. I had mononucleosis at the time. When else would a young man have time for a nearly four hour movie about a desert. I think I watched it twice before I had to return the two tape set to the library.
This 4k was originally released in the first Columbia Classics Collection: Volume 1, for almost $300 for 6 movies. That is nowhere near worth it. That was two years ago and I was hoping that they would eventually break this film from that set. Not only did they break it out, but they gave it a good looking steelbook. If you can find it, any you like the film, snag it. I cannot imagine it ever looking better.
UHD Disc One:
- NEW! Unused International Prologue (2160p/Dolby Vision, 1:00): A brief text intro to the film meant to set the stage for newcomers that Lean ultimately rejected.
Blu-ray Disc One:
- Secrets of Arabia: A Picture-in-Graphic Track
Blu-ray Disc Two:
- Peter O’Toole Revisits Lawrence of Arabia
- Making of Lawrence of Arabia
- A Conversation with Steven Spielberg
- Maan, Jordan: The Camels Are Cast
- In Search of Lawrence
- Romance of Arabia
- Wind, Sand and Star: The Making of a Classic (1970)
- New York Premiere
- Advertising Campaigns
- Deleted Balcony Scene with Introduction by Anne V. Coates (480i, 7:06).
- The Lure of the Desert: Martin Scorsese on Lawrence of Arabia (1080p, 7:51).
- King Hussein Visits Lawrence of Arabia Set (1080p, 2:07).
- In Love with the Desert (480i, 1:23:54).
- Archival Interviews (480i, 9:46 total runtime): Included are Steven Spielberg (1998), William Friedkin (2007), and Sydney Pollack (2007).
- Lawrence at 50: A Classic Restored (1080p, 13:30).
- Vintage Trailers (1080p, 11:05 total runtime): Included are 1962 Theatrical Trailer, Theatrical Teaser #1, Theatrical Teaser #2, 70mm Restoration Trailer (1989 Release), T.V. Spot #1, and T.V. Spot #2.
05 Everything Everywhere All at Once
Director: Danial Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Writer: Danial Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
Minutes: 140
Company: a24
My wife and I watched this in the theater, I told her it looked like a fun interdimensional romp and she accompanied me, perhaps expecting something marvely. Neither of us were ready for what we saw. I was sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time like a kid at Christmas watching the Santa tracker. She sad there like some kept farting in her face. I bought some hotdog fingers for my Halloween costume, she sent me away to take them off like a school teacher to a kid wearing their underpants on the outside of their jeans. In her defense, from a distance they looks like a bunch of dildos.
Anyway, Everything Everywhere All At Once is my second favorite picture of the year and a24 brought a terrific home release of the film with some great special features. You can also buy a very expensive candle shaped like the awards in the movie, if you’re cheeky.
Special Features:
- Audio Commentary with Writers / Directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert
- Almost Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Everything Everywhere All At Once (HD; 40:47) is an enjoyable piece that has its own “meta” and/or “multi” aspects. There are some good interviews and quite a bit of production data offered.
- Putting Everything on the Bagel: Cooking Up the Multiverse (HD; 10:03) features “the Daniels” and some of the principal cast discussing the project.
- Alpha Bits (HD; 11:23) shows some VFX breakdowns and other special effects wizardry, along with stunt choreography and the like.
- Deleted Scenes with Commentary (HD; 13:51) offers “the Daniels” offering some background and context.
- Outtakes (HD; 8:30)
- Music Visual (HD; 2:42) offers a vision of a flying donut, or more appropriately, bagel.
- Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:44)
04 Lost Highway
Director: David Lynch
Writer: David Lynch
Minutes: 135
Company: The Criterion Collection
I know, number four? I must be seeing things. I get it. Lost Highway might be my second favorite Lynch film, it was also my first. This film is incredible, the quality is remarkable. Criterion doesn’t miss. This will always be the official version. Nothing else needs to be said.
- DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES
- New 4K digital restoration, supervised and approved by director David Lynch, with new 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack
- Alternate uncompressed stereo soundtrack
- For the 4K UHD edition: One 4K UHD disc of the film presented in Dolby Vision HDR and one Blu-ray with the film and special features
- Pretty as a Picture: The Art of David Lynch, a feature-length 1997 documentary by Toby Keeler featuring Lynch and his collaborators Angelo Badalamenti, Peter Deming, Barry Gifford, Mary Sweeney, and others, along with on-set footage from Lost Highway
- Reading by Lynch and critic Kristine McKenna of excerpts from their 2018 book, Room to Dream
- Archival interviews with Lynch and actors Patricia Arquette, Bill Pullman, and Robert Loggia
- English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- PLUS: Excerpts from an interview with Lynch from filmmaker and writer Chris Rodley’s book Lynch on Lynch
03 The Films of Doris Wishman
Director: Doris Wishman
Writer: Various
Minutes: Vol1 623, Vol 2 518, Vol 3 428
Company: AGFA
I used to have a dumb policy for these lists about not adding adult film on this list so lets go ahead and call them sexploitation, or nudie cuties. When I was first really digging into the Something Weird archives the name Doris Wishman kept coming up. I was too drawn into the oddities of Christian Scare films at the time to diverge my digital edition budget too much. I figured that I would see them, eventually.
At the most recent AGFADrome film festival Joseph Ziemba screened DOUBLE AGENT 73 and I was hooked. I noticed something behind the nudity, something that reminded me of the first time I watched Herschel Gordon Lewis films. The low budget, DIY, filmmaking of people who just wanted to make movies, well, they wanted to make money and cheap movies were the ticket. There is something honest and pure about them. Not pure in a biblical sense, mind you.
Joe mentioned that they were working on a set of Doris Wishman films and I was ready. I did not expect three sets. (that connect magnetically, which adds nothing but a neat little oddity) These certainly aren’t for everyone, but they are joyful and something that you might just need.
ORDER VOLUME 1
ORDER VOLUME 2
ORDER VOLUME 3
Special Features
Volume 1
- Disc 1: DEADLY WEAPONS (1974) and DOUBLE AGENT 73 (1974)
- Region Free Blu-ray
- 2K restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives
- DEADLY WEAPONS: Commentary with Doris Wishman biographer Michael Bowen
- DEADLY WEAPONS: Commentary with Bleeding Skull’s Annie Choi and Joseph A. Ziemba
- DOUBLE AGENT 73: Commentary with filmmaker Frank Henenlotter
- Theatrical trailers
- Booklet with writing from Something Weird’s Lisa Petrucci and a vintage Doris Wishman interview by artist Peggy Ahwhesh
- English SDH subtitles
- Disc 2: THE AMAZING TRANSPLANT (1970) and LET ME DIE A WOMAN (1977)
- Region Free Blu-ray
- 2K restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives
- LET ME DIE A WOMAN: Commentary with artist and porn performer Carta Monir
- Theatrical trailers
- “Twilight Years” photo gallery
- English SDH subtitles
- Disc 3: THE IMMORAL THREE (1975), KEYHOLES ARE FOR PEEPING (1972), and LOVE TOY (1971)
- Region Free Blu-ray
- 2K restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives
- THE IMMORAL THREE: Commentary with film programmer Lars Nilsen and AGFA’s Bret Berg
- Theatrical trailers
- English SDH subtitles
- Volume 2
- Disc 1: BAD GIRLS GO TO HELL (1965),INDECENT DESIRES (1968), and A TASTE OF FLESH (1967)
- 2K restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives
- A TASTE OF FLESH: Preserved from the Something Weird S-VHS master*
- BAD GIRLS GO TO HELL: Commentary with filmmaker Frank Henenlotter
- INDECENT DESIRES: Commentary with queer film historian Liz Purchell
- Theatrical trailers
- Booklet with writing from Something Weird’s Lisa Petrucci and a vintage Doris Wishman interview by author Mike Watt
- Disc 2: ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER MAN (1966),MY BROTHER’S WIFE (1966), and PASSION FEVER (1969)
- 2K restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives
- PASSION FEVER: Preserved from the Something Weird S-VHS master*
- MY BROTHER’S WIFE: Commentary with Wishman biographer Michael Bowen
- Theatrical trailers
- “Moonlight Years” photo gallery
- Disc 3: THE SEX PERILS OF PAULETTE (1965), THE HOT MONTH OF AUGUST (1966), and TOO MUCH TOO OFTEN! (1968)
- 2K restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives
- TOO MUCH TOO OFTEN!: Preserved from the Something Weird S-VHS master*
- Theatrical trailers
- Volume 3
- Disc 1: NUDE ON THE MOON (1961) and BLAZE STARR GOES NUDIST (1962)
- Restorations from the original 35mm camera negatives
- NUDE ON THE MOON: Commentary with director Frank Henenlotter and filmmaker Anthony Snead
- BLAZE STARR GOES NUDIST: Commentary with Wishman biographer Michael Bowen
- Theatrical trailers
- “Daylight Years” photo gallery
- Booklet with writing from Something Weird’s Lisa Petrucci and a vintage Doris Wishman interview
- Disc 2: HIDEOUT IN THE SUN (1960) and GENTLEMEN PREFER NATURE GIRLS (1963)
- HIDEOUT IN THE SUN: Preservation from Doris Wishman’s personal 16mm print
- HIDEOUT IN THE SUN: Commentary with Wishman biographer Michael Bowen
- GENTLEMEN PREFER NATURE GIRLS: Restoration from the original 35mm camera negative
- Unseen Doris Wishman interview from 1974
- Theatrical trailers
- Disc 3: DIARY OF A NUDIST (1961) and THE PRINCE AND THE NATURE GIRL (1965)
- DIARY OF A NUDIST: Restoration from the original 35mm camera negative
- DIARY OF A NUDIST: Commentary with queer film historian Elizabeth Purchell
- THE PRINCE AND THE NATURE GIRL: Preservation from the only existing 35mm film elements – in German with English subtitles
02 Shawscope Volumes 1 and 2
Director: Various
Writer: Various
Minutes: Vol 1 1272, Vol 2 1415
Company: Arrow Films
Shawscope Volume 1 would have undoubtedly been near the top of my list last year if it managed to ship on time. It is glorious in every way. Volume 2 is no different. First things first, the sticker shock. I get it, these are expensive, but when you do the math the value is there, volume 1 is $15 per movie and volume 2 is about $13.50 per movie. There are a few stinkers in the sets, but for every movie you won’t watch a second time there is a BOXER’S OMEN type movie that might become an annual re-watch.
On top of that the restorations that Arrow was involved with are spectacular. Historically when Arrow does limited edition mega sets like these they eventually have standard editions. Wait if you wish, but if you like Shaw Brothers films these are a must have. I’m leaving ALL the special features listed below so you have a list of the film and additional evidence that this is worth the cost.
1
Special Features
- Illustrated 60-page collectors’ book featuring new writing by David Desser, Terrence J. Brady and James Flower, plus cast and crew listings and notes on each film by Simon Abrams
- New artwork by Sam Gilbey, Matthew Griffin, Chris Malbon, Jacob Phillips, Ilan Sheady, Tony Stella, Darren Wheeling and Jolyon Yates
- Hours of never-before-seen bonus features, including several cast and crew interviews from the Frédéric Ambroisine Video Archive
- Two CDs of music from the De Wolfe Music library as heard in six of the films, exclusive to this collection
- DISC ONE – KING BOXER
- Brand new commentary by David Desser, co-editor of The Journal of Japanese and Korean Cinema and The Cinema of Hong Kong
- Newly filmed appreciation by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with director Chung Chang-wha, filmed in 2003 and 2004 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Interview with star Wang Ping, filmed in 2007 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Interview with Korean cinema expert Cho Young-jung, author of Chung Chang-wha: Man of Action, filmed in 2005 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Cinema Hong Kong: Kung Fu, the first in a three-part documentary on Shaw Brothers’ place within the martial arts genre produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003, featuring interviews with Jackie Chan, Jet Li, John Woo, Sammo Hung, Gordon Liu, Lau Kar-leung, Cheng Pei-pei, David Chiang and many others
- Alternate opening credits from the American version titled Five Fingers of Death
- Hong Kong, US and German theatrical trailers, plus US TV and radio spots
- Image gallery
- DISC TWO – THE BOXER FROM SHANTUNG
- Interview with star Chen Kuan-tai, filmed in 2007 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Interview with assistant director John Woo, filmed in 2004 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Interview with star David Chiang, filmed in 2003 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Conversation between stars Chen Kuan-tai and Ku Feng, filmed at a Shaw Brothers reunion in 2007 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Hong Kong and German theatrical trailers, plus US TV spot
- Image gallery
- DISC THREE – FIVE SHAOLIN MASTERS / SHAOLIN TEMPLE
- Newly filmed appreciation of Chang Cheh by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with star Kong Do, filmed in 2003 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Elegant Trails: David Chiang and Elegant Trails: Ti Lung, two featurettes on the actors produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003
- Alternate standard-definition version of Shaolin Temple
- Alternate opening credits from Five Masters of Death, the US version of Five Shaolin Masters
- Alternate opening credits sequences for Shaolin Temple
- US and German trailers for Five Shaolin Masters
- Hong Kong and German trailers for Shaolin Temple
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC FOUR – MIGHTY PEKING MAN
- Brand new commentary by Travis Crawford
- Brand new interview with suit designer Keizo Murase, filmed in 2021 by Daisuke Sato and Yoshikazu Ishii
- Interview with director Ho Meng-hua, filmed in 2003 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Interview with star Ku Feng, filmed in 2004 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Behind-the-scenes Super 8 footage from the archives of Keizo Murase
- ‘Unrestored’ standard-definition version
- Alternate opening credits from Goliathon, the US version of Mighty Peking Man
- Hong Kong, US, German and Dutch theatrical trailers, plus US TV spot
- Image gallery
- DISC FIVE – CHALLENGE OF THE MASTERS / EXECUTIONERS FROM SHAOLIN
- Newly filmed appreciation of Lau Kar-leung by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with star Gordon Liu, filmed in 2002 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Interview with star Chen Kuan-tai, filmed in 2007 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Textless opening credits for Challenge of the Masters
- Alternate English credits for Executioners from Shaolin
- Hong Kong theatrical trailers for Challenge of the Masters
- Hong Kong and US theatrical trailers for Executioners from Shaolin
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC SIX – CHINATOWN KID
- Select scene video commentary by co-star Susan Shaw from 2021
- Elegant Trails: Fu Sheng, a featurette on the actor produced by Celestial Pictures in 2005
- Hong Kong, US and German theatrical trailers, plus US TV spot
- Image gallery
- DISC SEVEN – THE FIVE VENOMS / CRIPPLED AVENGERS
- Brand new commentary on The Five Venoms by critic Simon Abrams
- Interview with star Lo Meng, filmed in 2003 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Chang Cheh: The Master, a featurette about the director produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003
- Hong Kong and US theatrical trailers for The Five Venoms
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer for Crippled Avengers
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC EIGHT – HEROES OF THE EAST / DIRTY HO
- Brand new commentary on Heroes of the East by Jonathan Clements, author of A Brief History of the Martial Arts
- Newly filmed appreciation of both films by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with Heroes of the East star Yasuaki Kurata, filmed in 2003 by Frédéric Ambroisine
- Alternate opening credits for Shaolin Challenges Ninja, the international version of Heroes of the East
- Alternate English credits for Dirty Ho
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer for Heroes of the East, plus US TV spot
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer for Dirty Ho
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC NINE – MUSIC FROM SHAOLIN TEMPLE, MIGHTY PEKING MAN AND CHINATOWN KID (CD)
- DISC TEN – MUSIC FROM THE FIVE VENOMS, CRIPPLED AVENGERS AND DIRTY HO (CD)
- Volume 2
- Special Features
- High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray presentations of all fourteen films, including nine new 2K restorations by Arrow Films
- Illustrated 60-page collectors’ book featuring new writing by David Desser, Jonathan Clements, Lovely Jon and David West, plus cast and crew listings and notes on each film by Simon Abrams
- Hours of never-before-seen bonus features including several cast and crew interviews from the Frédéric Ambroisine Video Archive
- Two CDs of music from the De Wolfe Music library as heard in several of the films, exclusive to this collection
- DISC ONE – THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN
- Brand new feature commentary by critic Travis Crawford
- Brand new select-scene commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with star Gordon Liu, filmed in 2003
- Interview with cinematographer Arthur Wong, filmed in 2006
- Shaolin: Birthplace of a Hero and Elegant Trails, two archive featurettes with Gordon Liu produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003
- Tiger Style: The Musical Impact of Martial Arts Cinema, a newly filmed overview of Shaw Brothers’ influence on hip hop and other music genres, featuring music historian Lovely Jon
- Cinema Hong Kong: Swordfighting, the second instalment in a three-part documentary produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003 and featuring interviews with Gordon Liu, Lau Kar-leung, Cheng Pei-pei, John Woo, Sammo Hung, Kara Hui, David Chiang and others
- Alternate opening credits from the American version titled Master Killer
- Hong Kong and German theatrical trailers, plus US TV spot
- Image gallery
- DISC TWO – RETURN TO THE 36TH CHAMBER / DISCIPLES OF THE 36TH CHAMBER
- Interview with star Gordon Liu, filmed in 2003
- Citizen Shaw, a French TV documentary from 1980 directed by Maurice Frydland, in which Sir Run Run Shaw gives an all-access tour of the Shaw Brothers backlot (including behind-the-scenes footage from Return to the 36th Chamber), remastered in high definition
- Hero on the Scaffolding, an archive featurette produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003
- Alternate opening credits sequences for both films
- Hong Kong theatrical trailers for both films
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC THREE – MAD MONKEY KUNG FU / FIVE SUPERFIGHTERS
- Brand new commentary for Mad Monkey Kung Fu by martial arts cinema experts Frank Djeng and Michael Worth
- Newly filmed appreciation of Mad Monkey Kung Fu by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with actor Hsiao Hou, filmed in 2004
- Shaw in the USA, a brand new featurette on how Shaw Brothers broke America featuring Grady Hendrix and Chris Poggiali, authors of These Fists Break Bricks
- Hong Kong and US theatrical trailers for Mad Monkey Kung Fu
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer and UK VHS promo for Five Superfighters
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC FOUR – INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN / THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM
- Interview with action director Robert Tai, filmed in 2003
- Poison Clan Rocks The World, a brand new visual essay on the Venom Mob written and narrated by author Terrence J. Brady
- Alternate “continuity” cut of The Kid With The Golden Arm, presented via seamless branching
- Alternate and textless title sequences for The Kid with the Golden Arm
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer for Invincible Shaolin
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer (audio only) and US TV spot for The Kid with the Golden Arm
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC FIVE – MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS / TEN TIGERS OF KWANGTUNG
- Brand new audio commentary on Ten Tigers of Kwangtung by filmmaker Brandon Bentley
- Interview with star Chin Siu-ho, filmed in 2003
- Rivers and Lakes, a brand new video essay on Shaw Brothers’ depiction of Chinese myth and history, written and narrated by Jonathan Clements, author of A Brief History of China
- Hong Kong (audio only) and German theatrical trailers for Magnificent Ruffians
- Hong Kong trailers (Mandarin and Cantonese audio options) and US TV spot for Ten Tigers of Kwangtung
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC SIX – MY YOUNG AUNTIE
- Brand new select-scene commentary by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with star Kara Hui, filmed in 2003
- Cinema Hong Kong: The Beauties of the Shaw Studios, the final instalment in the three-part documentary produced by Celestial Pictures in 2003
- Alternate standard-definition VHS version
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer
- Image gallery
- DISC SEVEN – MERCENARIES FROM HONG KONG / THE BOXER’S OMEN
- Brand new commentary on The Boxer’s Omen by critic Travis Crawford
- Newly filmed appreciation of filmmaker Kuei Chih-hung by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Additional footage from Mandarin VHS version of The Boxer’s Omen
- Interview with Mercenaries from Hong Kong action director Tong Kai, filmed in 2009
- Hong Kong theatrical trailers for both films
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC EIGHT – MARTIAL ARTS OF SHAOLIN / THE BARE-FOOTED KID
- Brand new commentary on Martial Arts of Shaolin by Jonathan Clements
- Brand new commentary on The Bare-Footed Kid by Frank Djeng of the NY Asian Film Festival
- Newly filmed appreciations of both films by film critic and historian Tony Rayns
- Interview with Martial Arts of Shaolin screenwriter Sze Yeung-ping, filmed in 2004
- Alternate standard-definition version of Martial Arts of Shaolin
- Hong Kong and Japanese theatrical trailers for Martial Arts of Shaolin, plus trailers for the preceding Shaolin Temple films starring Jet Li
- Hong Kong theatrical trailer and UK VHS promo for The Bare-Footed Kid
- Image galleries for both films
- DISC NINE – MUSIC FROM THE 36TH CHAMBER OF SHAOLIN, FIVE SUPERFIGHTERS, INVINCIBLE SHAOLIN AND THE KID WITH THE GOLDEN ARM (CD)
- DISC TEN – MUSIC FROM RETURN TO THE 36TH CHAMBER, MAGNIFICENT RUFFIANS, TEN TIGERS OF KWANGTUNG, MY YOUNG AUNTIE, MERCENARIES FROM HONG KONG AND DISCIPLES OF THE 36TH CHAMBER (CD)”
01 Pearl
Director: Ti West
Writer: Ti West and Mia Goth
Minutes: 102
Company: a24
Pearl, for my money, is the best movie of the year. While the release is pretty bland on special features I knew that this would be number one on the strength of the main performance, in the main feature, alone. And the editing, but mostly that monologue. Just perfect in every way. You are very welcome to disagree with me, and I am fine with that, you read this low on your own dime.
Special Features: (Subject to change)
- “Coming Out of Her Shell: The Creation of PEARL” Featurette
- “Time After Time” Featurette
- Teaser Trailer
- Theatrical Trailer