COMING SOON: SUSPIRIA BLU-RAY

It was just the same when SD DVD hit the racks. Fans of Horror cinema asking just where the hell are our favourites? Argento, Fulci, Bava, Hammer.... and now we have the same situation with Blu-ray.
Well, I've recently added most special editions of DAWN OF THE DEAD and THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE to my small Blu collection, joining such gems as Blue Underground's simply fab BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE and John Carpenter's HALLOWEEN.
Of course, there are still many gaps to fill but we're beginning to move in the right direction, with Fulci's CITY OF THE LIVING DEAD, Larraz's VAMPYRES and Kumel's stately DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS all set to go Blu next year.

For many, the best news of all concerns the UK Blu-ray release of Dario Argento's SUSPIRIA. Thanks to Nouveaux Pictures and Cine- Excess, this classic slice of Italian Horror will see light of day 18th January, and we're promised a brand new high definition transfer, digitally remastered from HD. Advance word-of-mouth includes such comments as "a stunning makeover for one of the greatest horror films ever made", and "Suspiria has never looked better. It has never sounded as good, either".

Special Features include: "Fear At 400 Degrees: The Cine-Excess Of Suspiria" documentary featuring director Dario Agento and composer Claudio Simonetti; audio commentary by leading Dario Argento experts Alan Jones and Kim Newman; "Suspiria Perspectives" featuring Claudio Simonetti, Norman J. Warren and Patricia McCormack.

Sounds a great package, and I for one am greatly looking forward to listening to Jones and Newman, who treated fans to one of THE great commentary tracks for the BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE release.

I'm currently unsure as to whether this release will be region-locked, so stay tuned for further details on here and on Twitter.

HE UNDERSTOOD THE CRAFT OF ACTING

I was greatly saddened to learn that Edward Woodward passed away at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Famous for his Sergeant Howie character in THE WICKER MAN, and for his starring roles in CALLAN and THE EQUALISER, Woodward was last seen onscreen in the BBC soap EASTENDERS where his character died in April.

He is survived by his second wife - the lovely Michelle Dotrice and four children.
We mourn the passing of a great actor who truly understood his craft.
RIP

LEST WE FORGET

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:


Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.


At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

SPOTLIGHT ON THE BLOGS X 2

Head over to RADIATOR HEAVEN for a great write-up on Criterion's WINGS OF DESIRE DVD .just click HERE

You can also check out the new ITALIAN FILM REVIEW from Nigel who did some great stuff on I SPIT ON YOUR TASTE. You'll find it HERE

ATTENTION EUROCRIME BUFFS!

My friend and fellow blogger Nigel has exciting news of a new project, which centres on Eurocrime. This exciting subgenre gave birth to many terrific movies, and the aim is to make a feature-length documentary featuring interviews with top actors and directors, plus a bevy of clips.

Please click on this LINK to read more about this venture.