Kino-Lorber Insider Announcement Thread (Read Guidelines Post #3) (12 Viewers)

[Brian Dauth]

Very 70's, also very DYI indie, closer to WANDA than ON THE WATERFRONT. The performances are loose and improvisatory, as is the camerawork. It appears to be made on the cuff, though knowing Kazan, I'm pretty sure it was carefully rehearsed.

KL has now taken care of Kazan and the 1970s. THE VISITORS is CASUALTIES OF WAR by way of STRAW DOGS, and shares a cinematographer with WANDA. Has always been difficult to see, so the release is welcome, and with the recent THE LAST TYCOON gives us Kazan's final thoughts on masculinity--toxic and otherwise.

 

[Kino Lorber Insider]

Coming May 21st!
https://kinolorber.com/product/the-perfect-weapon-special-edition

THE PERFECT WEAPON (1991)
• Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
• NEW Audio Commentary by Director Mark DiSalle and Action Film Historian Mike Leeder
• Street Speed: NEW Interview with Star Jeff Speakman (23:18)
• Deleted & Extended Scenes (9:01)
• Theatrical Trailer (2:00)
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

Color 83 Minutes 1.85:1 Rated R
One man becomes a deadly strike force in this crackling action-thriller starring martial arts sensation Jeff Speakman (The Expert). Speakman plays a drifter and Kenpo karate expert who returns home to discover his mentor has been murdered by a ruthless drug lord. Determined to avenge the killing, he must contend with the cop assigned to the case—his long-estranged brother (John Dye, Best of the Best). Caught between the arm of the law and his own code of honor, Jeff heads toward a final showdown with a sadistic assassin (Professor Toru Tanaka, Revenge of the Ninja). Directed by Mark DiSalle (Kickboxer) and supervised by Kenpo karate Grand Master Ed Parker (Revenge of the Pink Panther), The Perfect Weapon features black belt Speakman in the most dazzling karate sequences ever captured on film. Anytime…Anywhere…Anyplace…Jeff Speakman is The Perfect Weapon. Featuring Mariska Hargitay (TV’s Law & Order: SVU) and Dante Basco (Hook) with screen legends Mako (An Eye for an Eye), James Hong (Missing in Action) and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (Mortal Kombat).

 

[Kino Lorber Insider]

Coming May 21st!
https://kinolorber.com/product/death-machine

DEATH MACHINE (1994)

DISC 1:
THE U.S. VERSION (100 Minutes)
• Brand New HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the Interpositive
• NEW Audio Commentary by Horror-Fix.com’s James G. Chandler and Ash Hamilton
• U.S. Theatrical Trailer
• Optional English Subtitles
NEWLY CREATED DIRECTOR’S CUT (106 Minutes)
• NEW Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Stephen Norrington and Film Historian Michael Felsher
• NEW Technical Audio Commentary by Writer/Director Stephen Norrington
• NEW Audio Conversation with Writer/Director Stephen Norrington and Creature Creator & Make-up Artist Alec Gillis
• Isolated Original Score Audio Track
• 7.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
• Optional English Subtitles

DISC 2:
THE FOREIGN VERSION (122 Minutes)
• 2019 Restoration
• Conducting Chaos: Composer Crispin Merrell on the Sound of Death Machine (25m)
• Cutting Edge Action: Editor Paul Endacott talks about Death Machine (19m)
• Cyberpunk on a Budget: Costume Designer Stephanie Collier on Death Machine (18m)
• Looking Death in the Eye: Producer Ray Burdis talks about Death Machine (16m)
• Mechanical Mayhem: Co-Producer Stuart St Paul remembers Death Machine (21m)
• Artwork & Design Still Gallery (4m)
• Behind-The-Scenes Still Gallery (9m)
• German Theatrical Trailer (3m)
• Japanese Theatrical Trailer (3m)
• Vintage BTS Promo from Japanese Laserdisc (6m)
• 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
• Optional English Subtitles

PACKAGING:
• Commissioned Cover Illustration by Jean-Baptiste Chuat & Ronan-Wolf Chuat
• Title Treatment by Sascha Meurer
• Limited Edition Reversible Art and O-Card Slipcase

Color 1.85:1 R | Unrated
The year is 2003. Chaank Industries, ruthless world leaders in future weapons technology, hires a new Chief Executive, Hayden Cale. Cale soon uncovers a secret and unethical weapons project the company is involved in. Her first order of business is to shut it down. Her troubles just begin as she also tries to fire the company technological mastermind, Jack Dante—a childlike psychotic with a dark genius for exotic weapons design. Dante retaliates by unleashing into the corporate headquarters the Death Machine—the ultimate killing unit. A weapon that tracks its target by sensing fear and has the power to rip through walls with its hard steel strength and razor teeth. Cale must wage a desperate bloody battle with the terrifying force that has no mercy, no pity and no fear in this cutting-edge cyberpunk classic from filmmaker and SFX wizard Stephen Norrington (Blade, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). Dante is played with oddball relish by Brad Dourif (Child’s Play, Spontaneous Combustion) in a cast featuring Ely Pouget (The Rift), William Hootkins (Star Wars, Hardware), John Sharian (The Machinist), Richard Brake (3 from Hell) and Rachel Weisz (The Mummy). This 2-disc special edition loaded with extras includes three cuts of the film, The 100-minute U.S. version, the 122-minute foreign version and newly created 106-minute director’s cut in 7.1 surround sound.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Saturday's Facebook Announcement:

Coming Soon on Blu-ray!

Noble House (1988 Mini-Series) Starring Pierce Brosnan, Deborah Raffin, John Houseman, Denholm Elliott, Ben Masters, John Rhys-Davies, Khigh Dheigh, Gordon Jackson, Burt Kwouk, Nancy Kwan & Tia Carrere – Shot by Cristiano Pogany (Murder Syndrome) – Music by Paul Chihara (China Beach) – Based on a Novel by James Clavell (Shogun) – Written by Eric Bercovivi (Washington: Behind Closed Doors) – Directed by Gary Nelson (The Black Hole).

 

[Robert Crawford]

Sunday's Facebook Announcement:

Coming Soon on 4KUHD and Blu-ray!

Brand New HDR Dolby Vision Master!

Dust Devil (1992) Starring Robert John Burke, Chelsea Field, Zakes Mokae, Rufus Swart & William Hootkins – Shot by Steven Chivers (High Heels and Low Lifes) – Music by Simon Boswell (Shallow Grave) – Written and Directed by Richard Stanley (Hardware).

 

[Robert Crawford]

I never even heard of this movie. I guess horror sells because it's getting a 4K/UHD release too.

 

[jsmiller60]

I never even heard of this movie. I guess horror sells because it's getting a 4K/UHD release too.

Ditto. I guess it's just a matter of time before the majority of Kino releases are even more obscure Hong Kong martial arts films.

 

[Malcolm R]

Same. The cover has me intrigued, but I've never heard of the film or of any of the names attached to it.

Kino has released so many titles over the years, I'd imagine their selections are becoming somewhat limited based on what's left in the libraries of the studios that are willing to license to them. Kino does not have the freedom to simply select any titles they want, from any studio.

 

[ahollis]

I wonder what cut this is, The original 120 minute cut, the US Miramax cut of 87 minutes, the UK cut of 95 minutes or final director’s cut of 103 minutes?

 

[Stephen_J_H]

Depends on the licensor. If it’s Paramount, they may only have access to the Miramax cut. We shall see.

I wonder what cut this is, The original 120 minute cut, the US Miramax cut of 87 minutes, the UK cut of 95 minutes or final director’s cut of 103 minutes?

 

[dana martin]

Anyone have an idea of how many titles were included in the last Paramount deal?

 

[Justin Ray]

Anyone have an idea of how many titles were included in the last Paramount deal?

Here’s the breakdown of titles from the ‘40s-‘00s:

1940s x 17 (1 4KUHD)

1950s x 41 (2 4KUHD)

1960s x 8 (2 4KUHD)

1970s x 11 (3 4KUHD)

1980s x 10 (3 4KUHD)

1990s x 16 (14 4KUHD)

2000s x 9 (9 4KUHD)

 

[Kino Lorber Insider]

Coming May 28th!
https://kinolorber.com/product/pursued-special-edition

PURSUED (1947)
• 2022 HD Master by Paramount Pictures – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative, Dupe Negative and Comp Print
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Imogen Sara Smith
• Introduction by Martin Scorsese
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

B&W 93 Minutes 1.37:1 Not Rated
From legendary director Raoul Walsh (High Sierra, White Heat) comes what Martin Scorsese hails as Hollywood’s first “western noir.” Screen icon Robert Mitchum (The Night of the Hunter) plays Jeb Rand, one of Hollywood’s early anti-heroes—an orphan-turned-war-hero caught in the middle of a violent family feud. Written by Niven Busch (Duel in the Sun), Pursued is the story of Jeb’s love for his stepsister, Thorley (a terrific Teresa Wright, Shadow of a Doubt), which triggers a fatal gun battle with her brother Adam (John Rodney, Key Largo). Despite this tragedy she marries Jeb, intent on avenging the death on their wedding night. But Jeb’s dark past closes in with the arrival of a stranger with a score to settle who sets off a brutal climax of treachery, murder and shocking revelations. Judith Anderson (Rebecca) plays Mrs. Callum, the widow who takes in young Jeb; Dean Jagger (Dark City) plays Grant, a one-armed stranger who seems bent on tormenting Jeb; Alan Hale (The Crusades) plays Jake Dingle, a casino owner who becomes Jeb’s business partner; and Harry Carey Jr. (Man of the East) plays Prentice, a young man also in love with Thorley. Gorgeous black-and-white cinematography by James Wong Howe (Hud) and a rousing score by Max Steiner (Casablanca) further enrich Walsh’s brilliant blending of two distinctly American film genres.

 

[SD_Brian]

Sunday's Facebook Announcement:

Coming Soon on 4KUHD and Blu-ray!

Brand New HDR Dolby Vision Master!

Dust Devil (1992) Starring Robert John Burke, Chelsea Field, Zakes Mokae, Rufus Swart & William Hootkins – Shot by Steven Chivers (High Heels and Low Lifes) – Music by Simon Boswell (Shallow Grave) – Written and Directed by Richard Stanley (Hardware).

View attachment 217533

Based on the title, I assume this is about a handheld vacuum cleaner?

 

[JoeDoakes]

Here’s the breakdown of titles from the ‘40s-‘00s:

1940s x 17 (1 4KUHD)

1950s x 41 (2 4KUHD)

1960s x 8 (2 4KUHD)

1970s x 11 (3 4KUHD)

1980s x 10 (3 4KUHD)

1990s x 16 (14 4KUHD)

2000s x 9 (9 4KUHD)

are these all completed. Anything left?

 

[Justin Ray]

are these all completed. Anything left?

I don't have exact numbers on hand, but yes, there are still announcements to be made from their last deal with Paramount. Out of over 100 titles in this deal, 24 of them are previous releases from Olive Films with new transfers.

 

[B-ROLL]

Based on the title, I assume this is about a handheld vacuum cleaner?

So you're saying you think it sucks ...

Back to the announcements ...

 

[Kino Lorber Insider]

Coming May 28th!
https://kinolorber.com/product/the-chase-special-edition

THE CHASE (1946)
• Mastered in HD from 35mm Elements Preserved by UCLA
• Audio Commentary by Filmmaker Guy Maddin
• Two Radio Adaptations of Cornell Woolrich's Source Novel, The Black Path of Fear, Starring Cary Grant and Brian Donlevy
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

B&W 86 Minutes 1.37:1 Not Rated
The noir genre is known for its labyrinthine plots, but Arthur Ripley's The Chase takes the "wrong man" premise to unexpected extremes. Robert Cummings (Saboteur) stars as Chuck Scott, a down-on-his-luck veteran who lands a job as a chauffeur to a sadistic millionaire (Steve Cochran, Private Hell 36) and his reptilian bodyguard (Peter Lorre, My Favorite Brunette). Scott plays white knight to his boss's suffering wife, stealing her away to Havana. But when she is fatally stabbed in a crowded nightclub, Scott is accused of murder, and must flee the shadowy streets of Cuba in a reckless attempt to prove his innocence. Adapting a novel by Cornell Woolrich (author of Rear Window and The Bride Wore Black), screenwriter Philip Yordan (The Big Combo) introduced a number of twists to the original story, including a third-act surprise that transforms what might have been a conventional story of an ill-fated love into something truly mind-bending and surreal - making it one of the most unique entries in the hardboiled genre. Co-starring legendary French actress Michèle Morgan (Port of Shadows) and wonderfully directed by Arthur Ripley (Voice in the Wind).

NOTE: This is the same transfer as our 2016 release, but encoded at a higher bit rate and on a dual-layered BD50 disc, giving the feature 30mbps or more. So, it should look better than the previous release that was on a BD25 single layered disc. We added English subtitles and a slipcase.

 

[Kino Lorber Insider]

Coming May 28th!
https://kinolorber.com/product/the-hour-before-the-dawn

THE HOUR BEFORE THE DAWN (1944)
• Brand New HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Fine Grain
• NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Paul Talbot
• Theatrical Trailer (Newly Mastered in 2K)
• Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase
• Optional English Subtitles

B&W 74 Minutes 1.37:1 Not Rated
Based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham (Of Human Bondage) and made at the height of the Second World War, The Hour Before the Dawn stars Franchot Tone (Five Graves to Cairo) as Jim Hetherton, a pacifist Englishman who becomes a conscientious objector at the onset of WWII. The sultry Veronica Lake (So Proudly We Hail) plays Dora Bruckmann, the beautiful Austrian refugee whom Jim marries. But what neither he nor anyone else suspects is that Dora is actually an agent planted by the Nazis, and her main concern is finding the location of a secret airfield in the vicinity of the Hetherton estate in order to help Hitler’s planned invasion. By preying on his beliefs, Dora manages to manipulate Jim into potentially betraying his country. Billed as “a story of turbulent emotions, exciting times, impassioned love…and a sinister, deadly secret,” The Hour Before the Dawn was directed by Frank Tuttle (Lucky Jordan, This Gun for Hire), shot by John F. Seitz (The Lost Weekend) and scored by Miklós Rózsa (Secret Beyond the Door).

 

[Keith Cobby]

Great cover.