Dark Sky Selects is celebrating the 50th anniversary of one the best horror movies of all-time with the release of an incredible new collector’s edition. This October a limited number of fans can get their hands on the “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” 50th Anniversary Chain Saw Edition – a killer new box set honoring Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic.

FROM THE STUDIO:

This multi-disc set will include the new 4K UHD edition of the film, a Blu-ray bonus disc containing new extra features, and an exclusive VHS release of the movie. The special edition collector’s set will be housed in a custom created box, which is a replica of the iconic chain saw from the film. Opening the chainsaw triggers the sound of Leatherface wielding the chainsaw in the film. Each box set will be numbered and only 5000 have been created.

This limited edition also features a newly designed 50th Anniversary O-card and brand-new bonus content, including The Merchandise of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Restoration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre 50th Anniversary Chainsaw Edition” will be available for $299.98 exclusively at darkskyselects.com

SPECIAL FEATURES:

DISC 1: 4K UHD (FEATURE FILM)

BONUS: 4 FEATURE COMMENTARIES

• Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, Actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl
• Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns
• Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper
• Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou

DISC 2: BLU-RAY (FEATURE FILM)

BONUS: 4 FEATURE COMMENTARIES

• Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, Actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl
• Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns
• Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper
• Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou

DISC 3: BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES

• NEW The Merchandise of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• NEW The Restoration of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• Feature-Length Documentary: The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
• The Cinefamily Presents FRIEDKIN/HOOPER: A Conversation About The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Between William Friedkin and Tobe Hooper
• Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw
• A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen
• Off the Hook with Teri McMinn
• The Business of Chain Saw: An interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman Interview
• Deleted Scenes & Outtakes
• Grandpa’s Tales: An Interview with Actor John Dugan
• Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview with Editor J. Larry Carroll
• Blooper Reel
• Horrors Hallowed Grounds: TCSM
• Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents “Making Grandpa”
• Still Gallery
• Trailers
• TV Spots
• Radio Spots

Kino Lorber Studio Classics is bringing Jean-Luc Godard’s influential classic “Alphaville” to home video in an exciting new 4K Ultra HD edition. It features an HDR/ Dolby Vision master by StudioCanal – from a 4K scan of the original camera negative. Mixing heady science-fiction with classic noir, “Alphaville” is considered a signature film of the French New Wave. It’s story is set within a futuristic and technocratic dystopia and stars the timeless Eddie Constantine and longtime Godard muse Anna Karina. This is a must-have for fans and collectors.

This 4K Ultra HD edition of “Alphaville” also includes the film on Blu-ray and will be available to purchase on August 27th. See below for a full synopsis and release information including special features.

About the Film:

Year: 1965

Runtime: 99 Minutes

Director: Jean-Luc Godard

Screenwriter: Jean-Luc Godard

Cast: Eddie Constantine, Anna Karina, Akim Tamiroff, Christ Lang, Valérie Boisgel, Jean-Louis Comolli, Michel Delahaye, Jean-André Fieschi, Jean-Pierre Léaud, László Szabó, Howard Vernon

Rating: NR

American secret agent Lemmy Caution (Eddie Constantine, “Attack of the Robots”) is sent to the distant space city of Alphaville where he must find a missing person and kill the inventor of fascist computer Alpha 60. Anna Karina (“The Nun”) and Akim Tamiroff (“Touch of Evil”) co-star in this cockeyed fusion of science-fiction with pulp characters and surrealist poetry. Godard’s irreverent journey to the mysterious Alphaville remains one of the least conventional films of all time. Beautifully shot in glorious black-and-white by Raoul Coutard (“Jules and Jim”, “First Name: Carmen”).

Special Features:

Bonus Content for “Alphaville” includes:

• 2023 HDR/Dolby Vision Master by StudioCanal – From 4K Scan of the Original Camera Negative
• Audio Commentary by Novelist and Critic Tim Lucas
• Anna Karina Interview (4:31)
• Colin McCabe Introduction (5:26)
• Includes Both Original French and English Audio with Optional English Subtitles
• Theatrical Trailer

The prestige production company and movie distributor A24 is about to celebrate its 12th anniversary. During its twelve years the New York City based company has quickly evolved into one of the most acclaimed names in cinema. In the process they have cultivated an indie style all their own which has developed quite the cult following. They have opened the doors to so many different voices and have given creators an avenue to tell stories that would otherwise have a hard time finding an audience.

For that reason I’m celebrating A24 by listing my ten favorite films from their lengthy catalog. There are so many gems to choose from, and you might be surprised by what’s included and what’s left off. Hit the comments and let me know what you think…

#10 – “White Noise” (2022)

Ok, let me go ahead and get this one out of the way. In what is sure to be a bewildering choice to some, I stand by “White Noise” and its spot on this list. It took a couple of viewings for me to fully get in rhythm with what Noah Baumbach was doing. But once I did, I was hooked. I love the performances from Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig, and it features an end-credits dance number for the ages. I love it. [MY REVIEW]

#9 – “After Yang” (2021)

I adored Kogonada’s feature film debut, “Columbus”. He hit his mark again with “After Yang”, an artful and quietly stirring reflection on humanity, family, and self-discovery. It’s very meditative in nature, using the camera and much as its script to immerse us in its heartfelt story. Elegantly directed, brilliantly acted, and visually arresting – “After Yang” is a beautiful film. [MY REVIEW]

#8 – “Minari” (2020)

Few movies have cut me to the heart quite like Lee Isaac Chung’s deeply personal family drama “Minari”. Subdued in all the right ways and anchored in the human experience, “Minari” follows a South Korean immigrant family and their search for the American Dream. The film earned six well-deserved Academy Award nominations and still stands firm as one of A24’s most affecting movies. [MY REVIEW]

#7 – “The Iron Claw” (2023)

While “The Iron Claw” received rave reviews from fellow critics, it still feels like a movie that never got the attention it deserved, especially during awards season. This crushing biographical drama based on the tragic true story of professional wrestling’s Von Erich family features a sublime ensemble cast and a career best performance from Zac Efron. Even better, it tells their devastating story with compassion and empathy. [MY REVIEW]

#6 – “Past Lives” (2023)

2023 was a stellar year for A24 (even more from it in a moment) and “Past Lives” was a big reason why. There is so much to love about this emotionally penetrating drama. It marked the spectacular feature film debut for writer-director Celine Song. And it featured one of the year’s very best performances from Greta Lee. “Past Lives” has stuck with me ever since first seeing it. [MY REVIEW]

#5 – “A Most Violent Year” (2014)

Here’s another movie that deserves more long-term love that it gets. J.C. Chandor’s rich and gritty crime drama “A Most Violent Year” was shunned by all the major Awards ceremonies. Still, it remains one of the best films of 2014 and one that has steadily gotten better with each viewing. The starring duo of Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain are magnetic, and Chandor’s storytelling sucks you in. [MY REVIEW]

#4 – “The Rover” (2014)

I’m guessing this is a pick that will surprise a lot of people. Nevertheless I’m a huge fan of “The Rover”, David Michôd’s dark and gritty dystopian drama set in a lawless Australian outback. Guy Pearce delivers a phenomenal lead performance, but it’s Robert Pattinson who steals the show. This is the performance that opened many of our eyes to the “Twilight” star and he hasn’t looked back since. If you haven’t seen “The Rover”, do yourself a favor and check it out. [MY REVIEW]

#3 – “The Witch” (2015)

Writer-director Robert Eggers burst onto the scene with one of the best directorial debuts of the past decade. “The Witch” is a masterclass in how to do amazing things with a tiny budget. Eggers’ film is expertly crafted – chilling and tension-soaked. And if that wasn’t enough, it made a star of young Anya Taylor-Joy whose big screen career has only blossomed. “The Witch” remains etched as one of my all-time favorite horror films. [MY REVIEW]

#2 – “First Reformed” (2018)

Paul Schrader’s “First Reformed” is the kind of wrenching movie that you wrestle with for days after seeing it. And that’s a big part of what makes its searing exploration of guilt, obsession, self-destruction, and despair so effective. Ethan Hawke delivers the performance of his career, fully embodying Schrader’s tragic lead. Meanwhile the influence of auteurs such as Bresson and Bergman can be seen everywhere. A brilliant film top to bottom. [MY REVIEW]

#1 – “The Zone of Interest” (2023)

Some may be quick to cry “recency bias” and I can understand why. But don’t be so quick to dismiss the stunningly brilliant film that is “The Zone of Interest”. Jonathan Glazer’s daringly precise and artfully calculated Holocaust drama is so quietly chilling that the true insidious nature of what we see creeps up on us. It’s fittingly unsettling yet strategic in how it conveys its horrors. As a result we get a landmark achievement both in filmmaking and as a historical reflection. [MY REVIEW]

In an era when the movie industry is growing more and more reliant on established IP, it’s great to see a franchise film really show its worth beyond just making money. Don’t get me wrong, “Alien: Romulus” is tracking towards a strong opening weekend at the box office. But what’s more exciting is seeing director and co-writer Fede Álvarez return to the franchise’s roots. Shades of his work in 2013’s “Evil Dead” and 2016’s “Don’t Breathe” are hard to miss. But it’s Álvarez’s clear esteem for the earlier Alien films that make this such a treat.

“Alien: Romulus” is the seventh installment in the long-running sci-fi horror franchise. Its story (co-written by Álvarez and his frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues) is set between the events of Ridley Scott’s seminal 1979 classic “Alien” and James Cameron’s equally brilliant 1986 sequel “Aliens”. While it’s not directly connected to either of those movies, “Romulus” fits nicely with both, in style, in tone, and in quality.

“Romulus” tells a contained story which (much like the original “Alien”) proves to be a big strength. A small handful of characters, a confined setting, a terrifying unknown threat – it’s a formula that has fit this franchise well and Álvarez utilizes it to perfection. We may not learn much new and “Romulus” may not catapult the franchise into uncharted directions. But it is an extraordinary Alien movie.

One of the first things you’ll notice is that “Romulus” looks and sounds amazing. It has become somewhat cliché to say, but this is a film that begs to be seen on the big screen (it’s hard to believe 20th Century Studios once considered releasing it exclusively on Hulu). The movie is a technical marvel as seen in its spectacular practical and digital effects, Galo Olivares’ jaw-dropping cinematography, and awards-worthy production design from Naaman Marshall.

Narratively, the story does everything we need it to do. It patiently introduces the characters, defines their mission and motivations, and then plunges them and us into a perilous and propulsive nightmare. Álvarez nails the tone and steadily ratchets up suffocating tension on his way to a bonkers ending that hits you with something you’ll never see coming.

As for the cast and characters, Álvarez puts together a solid ensemble to play a group of young space colonists living on an oppressive corporate mining planet. The group of friends consists of Rain Carradine (Cailee Spaeny), her adopted android brother, Andy (David Jonsson), Rain’s boyfriend, Tyler (Archie Renaux), Tyler’s sister, Kay (Isabela Merced), the mouthy Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and Bjorn’s girlfriend Navarro (Aileen Wu).

The mining operation is ran by Weyland-Yutani Corporation, a name Alien fans are very familiar with. The company runs the colony through forced labor contracts which keeps the people obligated to work. Even worse, they withhold travel permits under everchanging contract quotas which further restricts their workers from leaving. Tired of their harsh conditions, the friends resolve not to end up like their parents who all died working in the mines.

After getting word that a derelict Weyland space station has drifted into the planet’s orbit, they hatch a plan – sneak aboard the vacant station and steal cryo-pods so they can make the long journey to a far away paradise planet. Once onboard they’ll have three hours until the station crashes into the planet’s rings and is obliterated. That would be more than enough time if not for the horrifying discoveries they make. You guessed it – xenomorphs.

Spaeny’s star is steadily rising and she continues the franchise’s trend of strong female protagonists. We don’t get much in terms of her backstory with most of it coming through Andy. We learn Andy was given to Rain by her late father who programmed him with a collection of bad dad jokes and a prime directive to take care of her at all costs. But over the course of the film, it’s Andy’s dramatic evolution that makes him the film’s most compelling character.

“Alien: Romulus” is sprinkled with cool nods to the franchise’s mythology including some ingenious connections to the original “Alien”. Much comes through the effort poured into the details, from the costumes to computer terminals to the space station design. And of course the alien effects are superb, once again proving the xenomorphs to be one of cinema’s most terrifying creations. Overall Álvarez may not bring many groundbreaking new ideas, but he understands the nuts-and-bolts mechanics and has the necessary passion. And that’s what makes this an exhilarating triumph that delivers everything Alien fans could want. “Alien: Romulus” opens in theaters today.

VERDICT – 4.5 STARS

It’s common knowledge that Sony’s run of non-MCU Marvel movies has been rocky at best. There have been some big box office hits and some major flops. Meanwhile the quality of the films has been mostly disappointing leaving people wondering what to expect from their upcoming offerings. Chief among them is “Kraven the Hunter”. After a series of strategic reshoots, the film was pushed to December. Now we have a new trailer and director J. C. Chandor says his movie is going to surprise a lot of people.

This R-rated Spider-Man spinoff sees Aaron Taylor-Johnson playing Sergei Kravinoff, aka Kraven. His complicated relationship with his father, Nikolai Kravinoff (played by Russell Crowe) puts him on a violent and bloody path to becoming on of Spider-Man’s most noteworthy adversaries. The movie also features Ariana DeBose, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott, and Fred Hechinger. The trailer looks fittingly brutal and Taylor-Johnson definitely has the grit for this kind of role. Hopefully it delivers.

“Kraven the Hunter” is set to release December 13th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is bringing “The Bikeriders” to home video via a fabulous new collector’s edition. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, “The Bikeriders” is a gritty period biker drama inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1968 photo-book of the same name. In the film, Nichols tells the story of the Vandals Motorcycle Club, putting a special focus on two close-knit brothers. Incredible performances by the trio of Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Jodie Comer drive this fascinating feature.

This special collector’s edition of “The Bikeriders” features the film on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital. It will be available to purchase on August 13th. See below for a full synopsis and release information including special features.

About the Film:

Year: 2023

Runtime: 116 Minutes

Director: Jeff Nichols

Screenwriter: Jeff Nichols

Cast: Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, Michael Shannon, Mike Faist, Norman Reedus, Boyd Holbrook, Damon Herriman, Beau Knapp, Emory Cohen, Karl Glusman, Toby Wallace, Happy Anderson, Paul Sparks, Will Oldham

Rating: R

“The Bikeriders” captures a rebellious time in America when the culture and people were changing. After a chance encounter at a local bar, strong-willed Kathy (Comer) is inextricably drawn to Benny (Butler), the newest member of Midwestern motorcycle club the Vandals, led by the enigmatic Johnny (Hardy). Much like the country around it, the club begins to evolve, transforming from a gathering place for local outsiders into a dangerous underworld of violence, forcing Benny to choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club.

Written and directed by Jeff Nichols (“Mud”, “Take Shelter”), “The Bikeriders” boasts a power-house ensemble cast including Emmy, BAFTA, and Tony Award winner Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”, “The Last Duel”) alongside Academy Award nominee Austin Butler (“Elvis”, “Dune: Part Two”) and Academy Award nominee Tom Hardy (“The Revenant”, “Dunkirk”, “Inception”). Other impressive cast members include two-time Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon, Boyd Holbrook (“Logan”, “The Predator”), Mike Faist (“Challengers”, “West Side Story”), and Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”, “Triple 9”).

Special Features:

Bonus Content for “The Bikeriders” includes:

     FEATURETTE: Johnny, Benny, & Kathy

From the accents to the attitude, get to know the lead characters of “THE BIKERIDERS”. Hear from the cast and producing team on how they took the personalities and environments from a book of photographs and brought a narrative to the big screen.

FEATURETTE: The Era of “THE BIKERIDERS“

Grab your leather jacket and gear up for a ride as we enter the era of “THE BIKERIDERS”. This piece focuses on the authenticity that was captured by the brilliant production team who nailed the look, feel, and sound of the late 1960s Midwest.

FEATURETTE: The Filmmaker’s Eye: Jeff Nichols

Go behind the lens with director Jeff Nichols as he shared his overall vision for the film, stylistic choices, and how he works with talent. Members of the ensemble cast along with producers chime in on the significance of working on a Jeff Nichols film.

Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Jeff Nichols