“Wow, I always thought SAT meant Saturday Afternoon Test. What is up?”
Starring Academy AwardWinner Jason Robards (All The President’s Men, Parenthood, Magnolia), Dream a Little Dream is the next cult classic in the Vestron Video Collectors’ series, arriving on Blu-ray and Digital March 15th from Lionsgate. The body-swap comedy stars Academy Award Nominee Piper Laurie (The Hustler, Carrie, TV’s “Twin Peaks”), Corey Feldman (Stand By Me, The Goonies, The Lost Boys), Corey Haim (The Lost Boys, License to Drive, Lucas), Harry Dean Stanton (Repo Man, Alien), and Meredith Salenger (The Journey of Natty Gann, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon, Lake Placid). Dream a Little Dream includes new bonus features and will be available Blu-ray and Digital for the suggested retail price of $17.99.
Bobby has everything a young guy should: a good buddy, a girlfriend, and parents who love him. When the older couple down the street try a transcendental experiment to extend their lives, they quite literally become trapped in the teen’s bodies. This teen comedy has a great cast including the two Coreys – Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, as well as Harry Dean Stanton (Repo Man, Alien), Piper Laurie (Carrie), and Jason Robards (Magnolia).
BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES
Interviews: “Young at Heart” — An Interview with Actor Corey Feldman
“When Lightning Strikes” — An Interview with Executive Producer Lawrence Kasanoff
Theatrical Trailers
TV Spots
Stills Gallery
CAST Jason Robards All the President’s Men, Parenthood, Magnolia Corey Feldman Stand By Me, The Goonies, The Lost Boys Piper Laurie The Hustler, Carrie, “Twin Peaks” Harry Dean Stanton Repo Man, Alien, Lucky, The Green Mile Corey Haim The Lost Boys, License to Drive, Lucas Meredith Salenger The Journey of Natty Gann, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon,
Hada Vanessa as assassin Dani in writer/director Manny Perez’ LA SOGA: SALVATION. Courtesy of Screen Media
For a definition of what people mean when they describe a crime drama as “gritty,” look no further than LA SOGA: SALVATION, a mostly-subtitled tale of a former Dominican hit man, Luisito (writer/director Manny Perez), struggling to leave that life after a personal tragedy. He’s moved many times to avoid the cartels and corrupt politicians he’d targeted. He was one of the “good” assassins, bumping off the worst of the bad guys ruining his country. Think of him as playing the vigilante role somewhere between a Zorro and a Dexter. We meet him in Rhode Island with a new love, Lia (Sarah Jorge Leon), while living small to stay under the radar of former associates and enemies. Of course, that doesn’t work, or we wouldn’t have much of a movie.
His past catches up in the form of some guys trying to kill him and others taking Lia as a hostage to force him to do one more hit, and recover a thumb drive with vital information. Complicating his ordeal is the presence of another skilled assassin, Dani (Hada Vanessa), whose reasons for entering this mare’s nest remain obscure for much of the film.
The low-budget look of the production works as an asset. Everything occurs in rundown urban settings, in gray, overcast weather. No sunshine on the set or in Perez’ character’s life, other than the slim hope for a peaceful new life with his new love. The cast of relatively unknown actors (at least to many U.S. audiences) adds to the suspense of how things will play out, since everyone seems more expendable than major stars tend to be. The most familiar face belongs to Juan Fernandez, whose name you may not know, but any fan of cartel, gangland and other crime flicks will instantly recognize from a zillion supporting roles. Actually, it’s only about 70, but his distinctive looks and bearing always enhance those productions. Even dropping in for a metaphoric cup of coffee here, his presence is a plus.
Many are tortured, maimed or killed – often in gruesome visual and auditory detail. This aspect of the film is not for the faint of heart. But the oft-used premise of a bad guy trying to be good despite pressures pulling him back to the dark side plays out efficiently, with a suitable balance of action and character development, satisfying the urge for visceral kicks, while developing empathy for the principals.
Perez turns in a solid performance as the stone-cold killer scrambling to do what’s needed to save the day and leave his past in the past for good. But the one who really makes this story compelling is Hada Vanessa, who sizzles as the type of sexy psycho killer one may associate with a Gina Gershon, or Sofia Boutella’s show-stopping turn as the spring-legged slasher in the first KINGSMAN movie. Or several of Juliette Lewis’ earlier roles.
As a whole, LA SOGA: SALVATION is nothing special. But among options in the genre, it’s well above average in delivering bang for your buck. As writer and director, Perez crafted a fine vehicle for the acting side of his career, while showing how much he could accomplish on an apparently minimal budget, increasing his potential for more work behind the camera as well.
LA SOGA: SALVATION, in English and Spanish with subtitles, opens Friday, Jan. 28, in selected theaters and on demand on Roku and Vudu.
“I’m just a sweet transvestite, from Transsexual Transylvania.”
Flustered Mustard will be hosting a screening of ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Saturday January 29th at midnight at The Melba Theater in Desoto, MO. (300 S Main St, De Soto, MO 63020). Tickets can be purchased in advance HERE. A Facebook invite for the event can be found HERE
Back by popular demand, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is returning to The Melba Theatre on Saturday, December 25th! Eager to return? Great! We can’t wait to have you! Never seen it? Throw on your mother’s high heels and fishnets, ’cause you’re in for a treat!
The longest-running midnight movie of all time stars Tim Curry as the kinky yet endearing “transsexual from Transylvania” Dr. Frank N. Furter, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick as his hapless guests Brad and Janet, Meat Loaf as motorcycle-riding rough trade and author Richard O’Brien as the hunchbacked butler Riff Raff. It’s harmless musical fun—a delightful spoof of Hollywood horror movies and Old Dark House melodramas. Become a part of the movie by shouting out lines with the cast as well as throwing props to mock the action on screen. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was the first—and is still the best—interactive movie experience!
Dressing up is HIGHLY encouraged! Rocky Horror isn’t Rocky Horror without the corsets and lipstick.
We saw the insaneSt. Louis-Lensed Shocker FOUNTAINE AND THE VENGEFUL NUN WHO WOULD NOT DIE when it played one night at the Skyview Drive-in in Belleville in September. Now you can watch it on Tubi for FREE. The Tubi link to watch is HERE. Go check it out! You’ll be glad you did!
Check out the crazy trailer for FOUNTAINE AND THE VENGEFUL NUN WHO WOULD NOT DIE:
FOUNTAINE AND THE VENGEFUL NUN WHO WOULD NOT DIE tells the story of Mary, The Maniac Nun who must battle through gangs of thugs, a corrupt Church and even a few Nazi’s to bring her sister’s killer to light and make them pay for her overdose.
FOUNTAINE AND THE VENGEFUL NUN WHO WOULD NOT DIE is directed by James Dean and written by Dean and Louis Otero. It stars Mallory Stern, Zera Lynd, Ron Clower, Jaclyn Tripp, Brian Davis, Joe Hammerstone, Keith Nussbaum, and Christine Elaine. It was filmed completely in St. Louis with an all-local crew.
Focus Features, Universal Pictures International and Carnival Films announce that global release dates will shift to late spring for the highly anticipated film sequel DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA. The film, previously dated for a March 18, 2022, will now launch in theaters exclusively in the UK on April 29, 2022 and in the US on May 20, 2022.
From award-winning creator Julian Fellowes comes the motion picture event DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA. The much-anticipated cinematic return of the global phenomenon reunites the beloved cast as they go on a grand journey to the South of France to uncover the mystery of the Dowager Countess’ newly inherited villa.
The original principal cast have returned for the second film along with new additions Hugh Dancy, Laura Haddock, Nathalie Baye and Dominic West. The screenplay is written by Downton creator and Academy-Award winner Julian Fellowes, with Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning Gareth Neame and Emmy Award-winning Liz Trubridge producingwith Fellowes. BAFTA and Emmy nominated Simon Curtis (My Week with Marilyn) is directing.
DOWNTON ABBEY: A NEW ERA is a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing. Carnival Films is part of NBCUniversal International Studios, a division of Universal Studio Group.
The blockbuster phenomenon The Hunger Games saga arrives March 22 on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital SteelBook from Lionsgate, exclusively at Best Buy.
The Collection features artwork from top artists Flore Maquin, Ise Ananphada, Alice X. Zhang, Tula Lotay, Paige Reynolds, Aracely Muñoz, Gemma O’Brien, Lauren Hom, Meni Chatzipanagiotou and Gia Graham. Starring Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence (2012, Actress in a Leading Role, Silver Linings Playbook), the Collection includes all four films: The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2.The Hunger Games Collection will be available on 4K Ultra HD™ + Blu-ray™ + Digital SteelBookfor the suggested retail price of $119.99.
THE HUNGER GAMES Every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the Capitol of the nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and girl to compete in the Hunger Games. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers in her younger sister’s place and must rely upon her sharp instincts when she’s pitted against highly trained Tributes who have prepared their entire lives. If she’s ever to return home to District 12, Katniss must make impossible choices in the arena that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE Academy Award® winner Jennifer Lawrence (2012, Actress in a Leading Role, Silver Linings Playbook) returns as Katniss Everdeen in this thrilling second adventure from The Hunger Games saga. Against all odds, Katniss and fellow tribute Peeta have returned home after surviving the Hunger Games. Winning means they must leave loved ones behind and embark on a Victory Tour through the districts. Along the way, Katniss senses a rebellion simmering – one that she and Peeta may have sparked. At the end of the tour, President Snow announces a deadly 75th Hunger Games that could change Panem forever.
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY — PART 1 Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived. She awakens from the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell deep inside the bunkered catacombs of District 13. Separated from some of her closest allies and fearing for their safety in the Capitol, Katniss finally agrees to be the Mockingjay, the symbolic leader of the rebellion. Still uncertain as to whom she can trust, Katniss must help 13 rise from the shadows, all the while knowing that President Snow has focused his hatred into a personal vendetta against her—and her loved ones.
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY — PART 2 One of the most celebrated movie series of all time comes to its thrilling conclusion in the last chapter of The Hunger Games. Jennifer Lawrence stars as Katniss Everdeen, who began her journey fighting to survive the brutal Hunger Games, and rose to lead the rebellion against Panem’s tyrannical president (Donald Sutherland). Now, Katniss and a team of rebels from District 13 prepare for the final epic battle that will decide Panem’s future.
4K ULTRA HD / BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURE
THE HUNGER GAMES
Audio Commentary with Editor Stephen Mirrione, Visual Effects Supervisor Sheena Duggal, and Supervising Sound Editor Lon Bender
Game Maker: Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games Phenomenon
The World Is Watching: Making The Hunger Games
Letters from the Rose Garden
THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE
Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
“Surviving the Game: Making The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” Documentary
Deleted Scenes
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY — PART 1
Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
“The Mockingjay Lives: The Making of MJ1” Documentary
Straight from the Heart: A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman
Songs of Rebellion: Lorde on Curating the Soundtrack
Lorde “Yellow Flicker Beat” Music Video
Deleted Scenes
THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY — PART 2
“Pawns No More: Making The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2” — An 8-Part Documentary with an in-Depth Look at All Aspects of the Making of the Final Movie Including the Acting Ensemble, Visual and Costume Design, Special Effects, Post-Production, and More!
The Hunger Games: A Photographic Journey
Cinna’s Sketchbook: Secrets of the Mockingjay Armor
Panem on Display: The Hunger Games: The Exhibition
Jet to the Set (Blu-ray Only)
Audio Commentary with Director Francis Lawrence and Producer Nina Jacobson
CAST Jennifer Lawrence Oscar® winner for Silver Linings Playbook, X-Men trilogy Josh Hutcherson TV’s “Ultraman,” TV’s “Future Man” Liam Hemsworth Independence Day: Resurgence, Isn’t It Romantic Woody Harrelson Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Midway Elizabeth Banks Pitch Perfect franchise, TV’s “Mrs. America” Julianne Moore Crazy, Stupid, Love., The Kids Are All Right with Stanley Tucci Spotlight, Transformers: Age of Extinction and Donald Sutherland The Italian Job, TV’s “Crossing Lines”
“Step right up and behold one of the unexplained mysteries of the universe! Is he a man or beast? “
A Black and White Version of Guillermo del Toro’s NIGHTMARE ALLEY called NIGHTMARE ALLEY: VISION IN DARKNESS AND LIGHT opens in St. Louis Theaters Friday January 28th. It will be showing at The Marcus Ronnies and Plaza Frontenac.
Experience NIGHTMARE ALLEY in the classic film noir style of black and white for a limited time. Guillermo del Toro’s NIGHTMARE ALLEY follows charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) who endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena (Toni Collette) and her has-been mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) at a traveling carnival, he crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York Society. With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.
“Although we shot Nightmare Alley in color, we lit it as if it were black and white,” del Toro said. “You can see exactly the same level of design, and we wanted to give viewers this special vantage as a take of the classic noir genre that the film is part of.”
“Don’t you suckers know the days of Uncle Remus and Old Black Joe are gone?,”
Director/star Sal Watts’s widow Belinda Burton-Watts collaborating on the restoration of the independent Black film SOLOMON KING, shot in Oakland, CA with a stunning Soul-Funk soundtrack. CHECK OUT THISNEW RESTORATION DEMO TEASER:
The long-lost, independently financed Black urban crime/action film SOLOMON KING (1974) from director/actor/producer/writer Sal Watts is set for restoration and re-release in 2022 from distributor Deaf Crocodile Films. SOLOMON KING was shot in Oakland, CA in 1973 with a cast of mostly non-professional actors, a stunning soul-funk soundtrack, and incredible clothes from Watts’s own Mr. Sal’s Fashion stores. Restored with the cooperation of the filmmaker’s widow, Belinda Burton-Watts (who appears in the film), and utilizing one of the only surviving complete prints of the film from the UCLA Film & TV Archive alongside the original soundtrack elements (which had been stored in Burton-Watts’s closet for several decades), SOLOMON KING will be re-released theatrically and on Blu-ray and Digital following its festival run later in 2022.
“I had been praying that my husband’s accomplishments would not go unnoticed, but as the saying goes justice delayed is not always justice denied,” comments Belinda Burton-Watts. “Sal would be so pleased that Dennis Bartok and Craig Rogers of Deaf Crocodile reached out to his family and explored the possibility of restoring this piece of Black history. This film will evoke a nostalgic view of life in the 1970s when so much was happening in the Black community and the world. Oakland, California is no stranger to its share of controversy and unrest. Sal was an extraordinary man who remained humble throughout his life and just wanted equality for all. He loved all people and wanted to live in a world that treated people fairly. He would be grateful to know that his film will see the light of day once more. Much like Langston Hughes’ poem “Harlem” where he asks, “What happens to a dream deferred?”, we will have an opportunity to see just that. I choose to believe that like a mustard seed, the dream grows and grows. Through Dennis’ and Craig’s efforts, researching the possibilities of restoring this obscure film and coming up with a solution, another generation of young people will be able to see one Black man’s vision. My husband’s vision. I am convinced that Dennis and Craig reaching out to me was a case of divine intervention.”
SOLOMON KING (1974, Sal/Wa Prod., 85 min. Dirs. Jack Bomay and Sal Watts). With “Little Jamie” Watts, Claudio Russo, Samaki Bennett, Tito Fuentes, Belinda B. Burton. “Don’t you suckers know the days of Uncle Remus and Old Black Joe are gone?,” barks ex-CIA operative /ex-Green Beret/nightclub owner Solomon King to a group of Black gang members at the Sugar Hill Club in actor/director/writer Sal Watts’s long-lost Black urban crime/action film. In the vein of SHAFT meets THE LIQUIDATOR, the film stars Watts as an African American version of James Bond/Matt Helm as he seduces beautiful nightclub singers and beats up the henchmen of an oil-obsessed Middle Eastern ruler. Produced on a shoestring budget and shot on location in many of the businesses Watts owned, the film is a priceless document of early 70s Black culture, music, and fashion in Oakland— and a powerful metaphor for Black empowerment, with Solomon turning the tables on every duplicitous white character he encounters. “You can’t do a damn thing without the motherf**in’ white man calling the shots,” he observes at one point.
Sal Watts’s personal story is even more fascinating: emerging from grinding poverty and racism in Mississippi, he went on to become a filmmaker and actor, record label owner, host of Oakland TV dance program “Soul Is,” fashion store owner, and restaurateur in the 1970s, before serving time in federal prison on tax charges and dying in 2003.
“SOLOMON KING, like Rudy Ray Moore’s DOLEMITE (1975), is both a wildly entertaining, funk-fueled action/fantasy— and a prime example of an independent Black filmmaker trying to break into the commercial film market his own way,” says Deaf Crocodile Co-Founder and Head of Acquisitions & Distribution Dennis Bartok. “Connecting with Belinda and hearing her memories about the making of the film, and her and Sal’s careers, has been truly amazing. Sal worked in so many different arenas in the 1970s— film, music, fashion, TV, and for us, telling his story is as important as restoring the film itself.”
“This journey started with Dennis’s purchase of the soundtrack LP. He shared it with me, and from the first funky notes I was immediately sold,” adds Deaf Crocodile Co-Founder and Head of Post-Production & Restoration Craig Rogers. “We then had to track down the film elements. The more we dug, the more we discovered the absolutely astonishing story of Sal Watts. Belinda has been an absolute treasure. We’re so proud to be helping to bring her late husband’s film back from obscurity. The film, and Sal, deserve to be celebrated. I hope this restoration serves as a jumping-off point for people to explore what was such an incredible period of 1970s Oakland culture and history.”
The new restoration of SOLOMON KING will debut on the festival circuit in 2022, with details and theatrical engagements to be announced in the new year.
About Deaf Crocodile Films
Deaf Crocodile is an L.A.-based Distribution + Restoration company focused on New, Independent, Lost/Unseen and World Cinema with a special interest in Animation, Cult Horror + Fantasy, LGBTQ films, and the work of neglected and underrepresented Filmmakers from across the spectrum. The company was founded by distributor & exhibitor Dennis Bartok and film restoration expert Craig Rogers. In early 2022 it will be releasing on Blu-ray and Digital its new 4K restorations of director Jean-Louis Roy’s Cold War super-spy thriller THE UNKNOWN MAN OF SHANDIGOR (1967) and the surreal Romanian animated sci-fi film DELTA SPACE MISSION (1984) from directors Mircea Toia and Călin Cazan. It recently announced its acquisitions (with partner Gratitude Films) of Indian director Pushpendra Singh’s mystical feminist drama THE SHEPHERDESS AND THE SEVEN SONGS which opened Jan. 12th at MOMA in New York, and THE VILLAGE HOUSE, the astonishing debut feature from 23-year old Indian filmmaker Achal Mishra. The company has acquired all four features by genre-bending Iranian director Shahram Mokri, including his latest, the cryptic thriller CARELESS CRIME, inspired by the tragic Cinema Rex Fire that triggered the Iranian Revolution (Winner Best Screenplay, 2020 Venice Film Festival), which opens Feb. 25th at BAM in Brooklyn. (www.deafcrocodile.com)
“I’d frankly prefer not die for anything. And that includes sickness, old days or choking on a bagel.”
Woody Allen’s RIFKIN’S FESTIVAL starring Wallace Shawn, Gina Gershon, and Cristoph Waltzopens in St. Louis Friday January 28th at Landmark’s Plaza Frontenac Theater(1701 South Lindbergh Boulevard # 210 PLAZA, Frontenac, MO 63131). Check their website for times HERE.
Mort Rifkin (Wallace Shawn – Manhattan, My Dinner with Andre), a retired film studies professor, accompanies his publicist wife Sue (Gina Gershon New Amsterdam, Killer Joe) to the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain. He goes not for the films, but because he’s worried that Sue’s fascination with her young buzzed-about film director client, Philippe (Louis Garrel – Little Women, An Officer and a Spy), might be more than professional. In addition, Mort hopes the change of scenery will provide a respite from his struggle to write a first novel that lives up to his impossibly exacting standards. With Mort’s relentlessly dismissive opinions of Philippe, and Sue’s sharp focus on her career as well as Philippe, their already frayed relationship becomes more strained. Mort’s mood lightens when he meets Jo Rojas (Elena Anaya – The Skin I Live In), a kindred spirit whose marriage to tempestuous painter Paco (Sergi López – Pan’s Labyrinth) is causing her pain as well. While Mort’s personal tastes have sometimes pushed people away, Jo’s intellect and shared sensibility draw them together. While Sue spends her days with Philippe, Mort’s relationship with Jo deepens.
“What are you trying to tell me? That I can dodge bullets?”
Nothing’s more fun than The Wildey’s Tuesday Night Film Series. Keanu Reeves in the original THE MATRIX (1999) will be on the big screenwhen it plays at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville, IL (252 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025) at 7:00pm Tuesday February 1st. Tickets are only $3 Tickets available starting at 3pm day of movie at Wildey Theatre ticket office. Cash or check only. (cash, credit cards accepted for concessions) Lobby opens at 6pm.
Thomas A. Anderson is a man living two lives. By day he is an average computer programmer and by night a hacker known as Neo. Neo has always questioned his reality, but the truth is far beyond his imagination. Neo finds himself targeted by the police when he is contacted by Morpheus, a legendary computer hacker branded a terrorist by the government. As a rebel against the machines, Neo must confront the agents: super-powerful computer programs devoted to stopping Neo and the entire human rebellion.
