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INSIDE OUT, NEARLY OUT
ANIME LTD INKS LAIKA DEAL
RUSS RETURNS…
…MEYER’S VIXENS LEAD THE WAY
MAN ALIVE
LUC HERE: NIKITA FIRST…
…THEN LEON ARRIVES
RIDERS READY TO ROLL
OUTCASTS IN LONDON…
SUBSTANCE SCREENING WOWS…
…AS STRANGE DARLING ALSO ARRIVES
REQUIEM FOR ROLLIN
RADIANCE SHINES AGAIN
SARANDOS: “WE HAD TO LET DVD BUSINESS GO”
TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
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It was a good week for… Inside Out 2, hugely successful, still at number one in the Official Film Chart and landing first on Disney+, then across physical formats…
It was a bad week for… DVD, as Ted Sarandos explained why Netflix had to ditch its physical media business, even though it was profitable to the end (see below)…
We have been watching… We're still blown away by the screening for The Substance, as well as the film itself…
It’s a big week or two for Inside Out 2, now officially the most successful animated film ever. The animated sequel lands on Disney+ next week following its trailblazing theatrical success and Disney, no slouch when it comes to promoting its wares, is offering a special deal to new and lapsed subscribers to woo them back to the service. In its announcement of the film’s arrival, the studio said: “Running through September 27, new and returning customers can subscribe to Disney+ Standard with Ads for £1.99 a month for three months by visiting disneyplus.com, with no hidden costs and the ability to cancel anytime. This is a £9 saving compared to the regular £4.99 monthly price for three months.” The film lands on Disney+ on September 25, while five days later, on Monday September 30, there’s DVD, Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray SKUs available via Elevation. Of course, the physical formats are stacked with extras such as deleted scenes, behind the scenes footage, and one called Unlocking The Vault, said: "In a kind of visual commentary, a group of central creatives watch and discuss the scene The Vault. As they stop and start – and refer to various IP versions of the scene – we’ll hear about the inspiration for Riley’s repressed memories like Bloofy and Lance Slashblade, the development of the scene in Story, and the technical challenges of creating 2D characters that exist in the CG world of Riley’s mind."
We’ve had a bit of coverage of the company in recent weeks after a raft of announcements, but here’s more from the busy Anime Ltd, aka All The Anime, which, alongside its European parent Plaion Pictures, has inked a deal with Laika, acquiring the animation powerhouse’s catalogue for home video release in the UK alongside France, Italy, Germany, Benelux, Spain and Portugal. It will see gems from the catalogue, taking in films such as Coraline, France, Italy, Germany, Benelux, Spain and Portugal. The deal see titles such as Coraline, ParaNorman, Kubo and the Two Strings, and The Boxtrolls returning to, and in some cases making their debut, on Blu-ray and 4K UHD. Coraline is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and a theatrical re-release has been the most successful for a film returning to cinemas for a quarter of a century, besting the re-releases for the likes of Titanic and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, on its way to taking more than £1.2 million at the box office. The two companies said the acquisition showed their “continued commitment to celebrating animated film and physical media”. First fruits of the deal will arrive in stores on November 25 with releases for Coraline and The Boxtrolls on standard Blu-ray and special edition Steelbook containing 4K UHD and Blu-ray. They will be joined two weeks later, on December 9, with similar releases for ParaNorman and Kubo And The Two Strings.
 At the opposite end of the scale from Laika, there’s been another big announcement since we were last here, this time concerning the legend that is Russ Meyer. His cleavage classics such as Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!, Up!, Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls and the Vixen trilogy have long been adored by lovers of trash and sleazy cinema and the one-man film industry’s fare has provided rich pickings for home entertainment for years, thanks to the likes of Anchor Bay. But following the director’s death in 2004, there has been little by way of physical media releases and nothing on the burgeoning digital market. Until now that is. For Severin Films, now revived in the UK and a successful boutique home ent publisher in the US, has announced plans for the return of Russ after announcing a collaboration with the Russ Meyer Trust. The organisation, under the stewardship of Meyer’s former assistant, Janice Cowart, was approached by Severin, which pitched its plans "to restore and release many of his films”. The company added: “Severin promised to spare no expense, archeological effort, or technical wizardry to present these works via the gold standard they richly deserve and celebrate the extraordinary legacy of Russ Meyer.” The Trust agreed and, for the first time since the early 1980s, new masters have been taken from the original negatives, with releases planned for Meyer’s best – and breast – films. First up, complete with restored, archival and brand new extras, are VIxen, Supervixens and Beneath The Valley Of The Ultravixens.
Comment on the Russ Meyer plans came from Severin’s co-founder and CEO David Gregory, who said: “As a filmmaker, distributor and First Amendment warrior, Russ Meyer is one of the last great icons of American cinema. We’re grateful for the support of The Russ Meyer Trust as we begin what we hope will be an ongoing and bountiful partnership. The Severin Films team is enormously proud of our work in restoring these legendary titles for a new generation of fans and look forward to bringing Russ’ classic catalog back to the bosom of cinéastes everywhere.” "Russ Meyer’s biggest requirement was QUALITY,” said Janice Cowart of The Russ Meyer Trust. "RM Films is overjoyed that Severin Films took on this gargantuan effort to meet Russ' expectations, and we are delighted his films will once again be available."
We talked recently about The Third Man, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year as the classic post-war thriller was given a theatrical re-release and Studiocanal has now revealed plans for the home entertainment release. The 4K restored version of the film will be arriving on November 4 in a 4K UHD special edition set, complete with the first ever 4K Blu-ray for the film, housed, alongside a 64 page booklet with new writing, artcards and a poster, in a pop-up musical box. Given the standard of Studiocanal’s work in this field (its box for The Conversation, complete with the soundtrack on cassette, is the finest package we’ve seen this year), this is another essential purchase. Comment came from Studiocanal’s Alison Arber, who said: “The Third Man celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and STUDIOCANAL kicked off celebrations in style with a theatrical re-release, allowing fans to watch the film in stunning 4K on the big screen. Not only that we will be releasing a special 4K UHD 75th anniversary collector's edition on Nov 4th. The edition includes a 64-page booklet with new essays, a fully annotated shooting script, artcards and a poster of Nico Delort' s brand new artwork and if that wasn't enough it also plays the theme from the film when you open it with pop-up packaging.”
There’s plenty more from Studiocanal before November 4 though, starting on Monday September 23 with a sumptuous Steelbook release for the excellent French action flick Nikita. The film, released in 1990 by Palace in the UK and a massive video hit across different formats, helped catapult director Luc Besson into the Hollywood big league and was a global hit and, after viewing it to review for Film Stories magazine, we can safely say that it still stands up after all these years. Comment on the release came from Studiocanal’s Alison Arber again, who said: “We are thrilled to be releasing a stunning new 4K restoration of Luc Besson classic Nikita from 1990. This killer limited edition steelbook features artwork from celebrated artist Flore Maquin.”
Talking of Luc Besson and Studiocanal, and just as The Raygun went to press, we received a further announcement from the distributor, this time confirming that another classic slice of Besson, Leon, will be arriving on a special edition before the year is out. It is describing the 4K three-disc Steelbook, due on December 2, as The Definitive Edition of the Hollywood crossover hit. Th 4K disc features two versions of the film, the original theatrical release and the director’s cut, alongside two Blu-ray discs chock full of new extras, including a wealth of contemporary interviews with cast and crew of the film. It all comes wrapped in a gorgeous Steelbook featuring its stars Jean Reno and Natalie Portman, the latter in the film that turned her into a star. The film is available in a limited edition. Studiocanal’s Piers Slade said: “With stunning new SteelBook artwork, brilliant extras and both cuts of the film available together on 4K UHD for the first time, this is certainly the definitive edition of Luc Besson’s 1994 classic.”
 Monday September 23 also sees the release of one of our favourites of the year, The Bikeriders, from Universal. It stars the dream combination of Austin Butler and Tom Hardy as two of the leading lights in a bike gang in the US in the 1960s. The pairing of Butler and Hardy are ably supported by the likes of Jodie Comer and Michael Shannon and soundtracked by, among others, the Shangri-las. It feels truly authentic, with impeccable casting, incredible wardrobe and a true sense of style. Comment on the release, which follows a high profile theatrical outing, came from Universal’s Simon Day, who said: "Get ready to rev your engines! The Bikeriders hits home entertainment on Monday September 23, delivering a gripping tale of rebellion and brotherhood. Featuring an all-star cast including Jodie Comer, Tom Hardy, and Austin Butler, this exhilarating ride is brought to life by acclaimed storyteller Jeff Nichols. With its stunning cinematography and captivating performances, and after a particularly strong pre-order window, we’re gearing up for The Bikeriders to hit top speed on the high-definition formats.”
The latest addition to the ever-impressive Flipside imprint – dedicated to the fringes of homegrown filmmaking and less well-known films from these shores – released by the BFI, is The Outcasts, due on Monday September 23. It was the first Irish film to be produced for decades and despite strong reviews and a warm reception in Ireland, it disappeared not long after its UK debut. Rescued from relative obscurity by the BFI, the home entertainment release was marked on Wednesday night be a screening at the Covent Garden Cinema attended by writer and director Robert Wynne-Simmons. The BFI's Ben Stoddart said: “It was great to mark the forthcoming Blu-ray release of The Outcasts with a screening at the wonderful Garden Cinema on Tuesday. Written and directed by Robert Wynne-Simmons (known by many as the writer of 1971’s The Blood on Satan's Claw), The Outcasts is a uniquely dreamlike film combining elements of folklore, witchcraft and magic realism to wonderful effect. The film was followed by an excellent Q&A with the director, conducted by BFI Flipside co-founder and producer of the new Blu-ray, Vic Pratt. Hardly seen for the last 40 years, and now beautifully restored by the Irish Film Institute, it’s great that The Outcasts is now available for audiences to discover.”
SPOTTED OUT AND ABOUT
  To the cinema in Battersea Power Station – yes, there is one – for a screening of MUBI’s theatrical shocker The Substance, released at cinemas on September 20 (MUBI’s biggest theatrical release yet) on its way to eventual arrival on the streaming platform’s excellent service, and, given its current modus operandi, a physical media releases. And the film from Coralie Fargeat really is everything it’s cracked up to be. It’s a genre-busting body horror tale starring Demi Moore, ably assisted by Margaret Qualley and Dennis Quaid. And boy, what a screening it was. The event tied in neatly with the film’s plot and every conceivable element was thought of – from cocktails you laced with syringes, syringe pens, mock adverts featuring Moore as her character Elisabeth Sparkle and loads more besides. Plaudits must go to Organic Events and Organic Publicity teams for the event and the coverage the film has received. And MUBI deserves similar credit for its excellent marketing for the film, all of it themed around the movie and its stunning visuals. And as for the film itself? Having missed it at FrightFest, we’re happy to announce it really is everything it’s cracked up to be and you will not see anything else like it all year.
Also in cinemas this weekend, landing on Friday September 20, is another of our films of the year, Strange Darling, released through Icon. Like The Substance, the film landed with a bang at this year's FrightFest and the word of mouth is unbelievable – as are the latest crop of reviews for the horror thriller which landed ahead of its release this week. Here's Empire's take, as part of a four star review, where the magazine noted: “Right at the end of summer, at the tail end of a movie season stuffed with whirling tornadoes, raging apes and a mouldy Michael Keaton, comes another welcome throwback: a low-budget thriller that emerges out of nowhere to bowl you over. With its enigmatic title and cast of relative unknowns, it was on few radars until recently. But it should be on your radar now — and not just because Stephen King himself has hailed it as ‘a clever masterpiece’. Strange Darling is a smart, slippery creation, one which largely lands its blows with a wallop, and which proves a major calling card for both its director and its female star.” Icon has used the buzz around the film and its star Willa Fitzgerald and director JT Mollner to announce the physical media release and put it up for pre-sale too. The relese includes a collector’s edition complete with 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Discs and a selection of art cards and arrives on December 2.
New release announcements now and this week has seen Powerhouse’s Indicator series add two more titles to its range due in December, both seeing the imprint continue with its excellent mission to bring the works of Jean Rollin to Blu-ray. The brace includes one of the horror's and sleaze director's best known works, Requiem For A Vampire, alongside 1981’s The Escapees. The former is available uncut in the UK for the first time, with the new restoration adding a previously excised seven minutes’ worth of footage to the proceedings. The company's Sam Dunn said: "I'm delighted to say that our ongoing Jean Rollin restoration project has been met with universal acclaim for both the quality of the film presentations and the comprehensiveness of the extensive extras and accompanying books. Rollin's work has been well-known amongst horror aficionados for decades, but we wanted to ensure that those fans, as well as an entirely new audience, could have the opportunity to experience these exquisite films in totally definitive editions. These latest 4K UHD and Blu-ray releases are the ninth and tenth in our ever-growing collection, and – as usual – they contain an enormous wealth of material, including rare alternative versions of the main features, insightful new commentaries and appreciations, indispensable archival interviews with cast and crew members, and extensive books with new and contemporary essays, articles and reviews. For anyone with even a passing interest in independent genre filmmaking, these – and the rest of the Powerhouse Rollin collection to date – are an absolute must."
Radiance Films has also been unveiling its slate for December, building on and adding to the company’s now hugely impressive catalogue with another strong month’s worth of releases. Here’s the company’s new marketing and operations staffer Cara Hermit on the release. She said: “December’s titles are some of the most exciting we've had all year here at Radiance! Our Luis Buñuel boxset Nothing is Sacred, is something we've been working hard on for the majority of this year, and are so proud to be finally bringing it to market. The three films chosen cover such a scope of what defined the style and aesthetic of such an iconic filmmaker, and the new 4K restorations allow them to be seen in ways they've never been before. Yokohama BJ Blues, which is a Radiance Blu-ray world premiere title, serving as a loose Japanese remake of the Robert Altman flick The Long Goodbye, it captures this electric energy of urban Japan in a way I think only Eiichi Kudo could. As an about-turn in what would become one of the most storied careers in cinema, Yusaku Matsuda brings a dramatic presence to the screen that completely shines through most anything else in the film. Finally, following the incredible success of our previous Widerberg release, The Man on the Roof, we have a UK premiere release of The Man from Majorca. With a new high-definition digital transfer from Svensk Filmindustri, and a really exciting selection of archival and newly filmed materials on the disk, it's an excellent addition to our growing slate of noir releases. All three titles cap off what has been an absolutely astonishing release year for us here at Radiance, one which we're thankful for the ongoing support for.”
Former video store manager Ted Sarandos, now Netflix supremo of course, has bene discussing the streaming giant’s successes at the Royal Television Society in London. And he said to achieve its aims, he had to rid the company of the shackles of its DVD-by-post business, even though, right up until it was finally shuttered, it was profitable. This included essentially isolating the DVD business from the rest of the business. Part of the reason, as pointed out in US trade Media Play News, was down to the fact that eschewing packaged media was important given that Netflix started with around 1,000 titles, while its disc business offered 70,000. The rental by post arm of Netflix was the streaming arm's biggest competitor. He said: “To succeed at streaming, we knew we had to create something better than free. And we knew we had to let our DVD business go. Because as [the late] Steve Jobs once said, ‘If you don’t cannibalise your business, someone else will’. We told our DVD employees that they could not even attend company meetings any more, in essence saying: ‘You’re the past, not the future. Today, our members can watch a world of entertainment for a fraction of the price of a DVD box set of The Sopranos in 2007. And they don’t have to wait two months for all the episodes of a show to come out, or for a film to finish its theatrical run. I know the TV business was built on windows, but audiences don’t care about them at all [in the streaming world]. When you work in our business long enough, it can be easy to get distracted by all of the complexities. Rights. Distribution. Technology. It goes on and on. These are all important things. But what really matters, is how well we serve our audiences. What are we willing to do to serve them better.”
See you next week for a post-BASE Awards special, with winners and reports from the night…
 TRAILERS OF THE WEEK
Missed a screening this week, but heard good reports…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjw-r1ZSmI0 We were poor, but we were happy…
Nun more black…
This one went down a star with those in the know…
Fallen, again…
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