Well, fellow Space Cadets. It is the last day of 2022. At least for those of us that live in the West. For everybody else: Greetings, People of Tomorrowland. This one’s going to be a little different. While the average Haul is about 4 movies or more, last one was 3 and this one will be as well. But what I’m going to do here is highlight some of my favorite Blu-Rays that I picked up throughout the year. I’m also going to highlight the best boutique Blu-Ray company that truly delivered. Well, let’s get right to it, shall we?
Double Indemnity – Criterion Collection
Film noir is one of the classic genres of film that started in the 40s. Casablanca was more of a drama/thriller than a true noir picture, but it had elements. Double Indemnity is widely considered to be the first true noir in the genre. With an outstanding cast that includes Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray, and Edward G. Robinson, Double Indemnity follows an insurance salesman who gets caught up in a murder conspiracy enacted by the wife of his client. You usually don’t focus on the bad guys in murder mysteries. The mystery lies in finding out who did it. The tension in Double Indemnity is the result of the main characters trying to get away with murder. The dialogue is corny, but that’s how noir generally goes. It’s just such a classic example of a genre that are still being tapped into today.
Terrifier 2 – Screambox
Terrifier 2, I think, is going to go down as one of the most brutally gory horror movies of 2022. The first movie was pretty brutal, but this movie takes it to a whole different level, and it’s all the better for it. I’m a big gore-hound as much as the next guy, but there were some scenes in this movie that just really go over-the-top. Art the Clown makes Pennywise look like Bozo. Seriously, this guy is savage beyond believe and he clearly has fun doing what he’s doing. David Howard Thornton’s performance could end up being one of the most iconic in the genre. Not only that, you have a bad-ass final girl, Sienna, played by the lovely Lauren Lavera, who has one of the most satisfying Final Girl moments in a horror movie. This is NOT a movie for the squeamish, I can tell you that right now. I can’t wait to see what Damien Leone does with the next movie. It’s going to be off-the-charts insanity, I’m sure.
Red Scorpion – Synapse Films
I’ve been a long-time fan of Dolph Lundgren. While I’m not going to say that he’s ever going to win any awards, he’s a hell of a lot fun to watch. Whether he’s playing Russians or genetically modified super-soldiers, he just has a presence that really can’t be matched. Not even by Stallone or Schwarzenegger. Red Scorpion is Lundren’s second movie as a lead actor, and he’s more than able to carry it on those broad shoulders of his. This movie has a serious anti-Soviet aspect to it that isn’t particularly surprising as it came out towards the end of the Cold War. A lot of movies including Rambo III made Russians the bad guys, because they really were at the time…and kind of are, still. This wasn’t quite the movie that I was expecting, but it delivers on the action, as everything is done practically. No miniatures, no visual effects, nothing. What you see is exactly what you get. Even Dolph himself does most of his own stunts.
Boutique Blu-Ray Distributor of the Year: Vinegar Syndrome/Arrow Video
Of all the boutique labels that offer Blu-Rays of classic films, Vinegar Syndrome and Arrow Video have been at the top of their game this year. Let me tell you why: It’s not just that they make certain movies available that aren’t available anywhere else, but they go out of their way to re-master the film visually and in the audio department to make these movies look and sound the best. On top of that, the special features that these two companies put together for most of their releases is extraordinary. The amount of work that goes into each of these releases is beyond exceptional. Obviously, not every release is going to get the same amount of features, but Arrow and Vinegar Syndrome do their best to give these films the releases they deserve. Where Shout! Factory has dropped the ball on some of their stuff, Arrow and Vinegar Syndrome pick up the slack. Yeah, the discs aren’t exactly cheap, but considering what you get with these movies, is worth shelling out. I’m talking hours upon HOUR of content. For example, Vinegar Syndrome recently released Righting Wrongs in the United States. The release includes THREE different cuts of the movie, along with archival interviews and brand new ones, as well as audio commentary. Companies like Arrow Video and Vinegar Syndrome are what it’s so good to be a movie collector in this day and age, especially since most of these movies won’t hit streaming.
My Favorite Pick Ups of 2022
Now, we’re going to have a list of my favorite Blu-Ray grabs of the year. This is just going to be a straight list and in no particular order, but I will include the distributor’s name, if possible.
1. Thriller: A Cruel Picture – Vinegar Syndrome
2. Casablanca – Warner Bros.
3. Star Trek: The Motion Picture Director’s Edition – Paramount Pictures
4. Double Indemnity – Criterion Collection
5. The Virgin Spring – Criterion Collection
6. Black Christmas(1974) – Scream Factory
7. The Beyond – Grindhouse Releasing
8. Righting Wrongs – Vinegar Syndrome
Well, that is it, ladies and gentleman. That is my final haul AND my final post of 2022. I hope everybody has a happy new year. Drink responsibly. 2022 has been an interesting year for movies. Not the greatest, but it was NOWHERE near as bad as 2020. 2023 looks to be a very big year for theatrical releases. So, I will be doing a post on what’s coming up in the new year. Stick around for that my fellow Space Cadets. This is Major Tom, signing off for the last time in 2022.
