88 Films

[feihong]

I presume there'll be some picture improvements over the French blu ray, Deux Flics a Miami? That's my go-to right now, the disc with the theatrical cut.

[yoloswegmaster]

Listings have been found for releases of The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 and Beauty of Beauties (a Taiwanese epic from Li Han-Hsiang). I'm glad to see the latter as it's a change of pace from the usual types of films that 88 have been releasing and it's always nice to see Taiwanese films getting proper blu releases.

[What A Disgrace]

One step closer to The Love Eterne.

[Orlac]

One step closer to The Love Eterne.

That would require another 88/Shaw deal.

Beauty of Beauties is from the same Taiwanese company as Four Moods - https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml? ... ay_set=eng - which sounds ideal for release too!

[rapta]

One step closer to The Love Eterne.

That would require another 88/Shaw deal.

Beauty of Beauties is from the same Taiwanese company as Four Moods - https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml? ... ay_set=eng - which sounds ideal for release too!

Four Moods includes a segment from King Hu, and I wondered a while ago if Eureka would include it in one of their King Hu releases one day - as well as another anthology film, The Wheel of Life. Another of the directors in both anthology films is Lee Hsing, who directed Execution in Autumn (also released by Eureka). I wonder if there's more cleanup that needs doing after the restoration of either film that is preventing such releases?

[The Fanciful Norwegian]

Beauty of Beauties is from the same Taiwanese company as Four Moods - https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml? ... ay_set=eng - which sounds ideal for release too!

Both Beauty of Beauties and Four Moods are now with the Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute. The latter has a 2K restoration that the TFAI released on Blu a few months ago, alongside a 2K restoration of The Wheel of Life. Beauty of Beauties is a 4K restoration.

[ftsoh]

One step closer to The Love Eterne.

That would require another 88/Shaw deal.

Beauty of Beauties is from the same Taiwanese company as Four Moods - https://hkmdb.com/db/movies/view.mhtml? ... ay_set=eng - which sounds ideal for release too!

If they do, they should also get Diao Charn, The Magnificent Concubine, and Beyond the Great Wall from Shaw Bros. to complete the 4 Great Beauty of China series.

[Finch]

[Finch]

February release

HD (1080p) Blu-ray™ presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio English
5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Cantonese with English subtitles
5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Mandarin with English Subtitles
Interview with Karen Mok
Interview with Shu Qi
Interview with Vicky Zhao Wei
Hong Kong Promotion Featurette
Japanese Press Conference
Yasuaki Hurats’s Action commentary
Cantonese Trailer
English Trailer

March release (new BD individually sold as well)

Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition (2160p) in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Presented in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible)
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Also Included LPCM 2.0 English Mono Optional English Subtitles
Audio Commentary by Kim Newman and Sean Hogan Back on the Horse
Ian Ogilvy on Witchfinder General Which Witch is Which?
Adam Scovell on Witchfinder General Alternate Nude Scenes (UHD)
Alternate US “Conqueror Worm” Opening and Closing Titles (UHD)
UK Theatrical Trailer (UHD) USA
“Conqueror Worm” Trailer

March release (new BD individually sold as well)

Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition (2160p) in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Presented in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible)
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Also Included LPCM 2.0 English Mono Optional English Subtitles
Audio Commentary by director Piers Haggard actress Linda Hayden and writer Robert Wynne-Simmons
Audio Commentary with British Film Experts Vic Pratt and William Fowler
Satan’s Skin - Robert Wynne-Simmons on The Blood on Satan’s Claw
The Devil’s Business - Wendy Padbury on The Blood on Satan’s Claw
Folk Horror - Kier-La Janisse on The Blood on Satan’s Claw
Tigon Tales of Terror featurette with Michael Armstrong, Piers Haggard, Christopher Neame, Tony Tenser and Ian Ogilvy
Reviving Forgotten Horrors - Interview with Piers Haggard
Folk Tale - An Interview with Actor Simon Williams
Folk Art - An Interview with Set Dresser Milly Burns
Folk Sound - An Interview with Sound Recordist Tony Dawe
Folk Music - An Interview with Composer Marc Wilkinson
Folk Dub - An Interview with Assistant Dubbing Mixer Graham V. Hartstone
Folk Promo - An Interview with Publicity Director Tony Tweedale
Return to Bix - Simon Williams Returns to the Church Location
Theatrical Trailer
Reconstructed Trailer

March release 4k only

Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition (2160p) in 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
Presented in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible)
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
Also Included Includes Directors Approved Cut (97 Mins)
Also Includes Extended TV Cut (109 Mins)
2.0 English Mono
2.0 Italian Mono (with English Subtitles)
Audio Commentary with Eugenio Ercolani and Troy Howarth (Director’s Version)
Bava’s Blade - An Interview with Director Lamberto Bava
Lighting the Blade - An Interview with Cinematographer Gianlorenzo Battaglia [Archive]
Q&A with Lamberto Bava [Archive]
Interview with Cinematographer Gianlorenzo Battaglia
Exploitation Mogul - An Interview with Producer Mino Loyo
Italian Opening and Closing Credits English Trailer Italian Trailer

March release 4k only

Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition (2160p) in 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio
Presented in Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range (HDR10 Compatible)
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio
Also Included LPCM 2.0 English Mono Optional English Subtitles
Audio Commentary with Film Critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
Audio Commentary with Film Experts Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thomson
Bloodsucker - David Pirie on Count Dracula
Dracula in the South Alternate German Opening Credits

also coming in Q1 2024:

Beauty of Beauties BD

The Amityville Horror 4k

Brand new 4K Remaster from the Original Negatives presented in Ultra High Definition (2160p) in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio . Presented in High Dynamic Range (HDR10)
High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Also Included DTS-HD MA 5.1
English DTS-HD MA 2.0 English
Optional English Subtitles
Audio Commentary with Josh Saco and Claire Donner
Audio Commentary with Film Critics Kim Newman and Sean Hogan
Audio Commentary with Parapsychologist Dr Hans Holzer
Get out of Amityville, Get Into New Jersey - Locations Featurette
‘Brolin Thunder’ - An Interview with actor James Brolin
‘Child’s Play’ - An Interview with actor Meeno Peluce
‘Amityville Scribe’ - An Interview with screenwriter Sandor Stern
‘The Devil in the Music’ - An interview with composer Lalo Schifrin
‘For God’s Sake, Get Out!’ - featuring James Brolin and Margot Kidder
Intro by Dr. Hans Holzer PhD in Parapsychology
Original Trailer
TV Spot
Radio Spots
Stills Gallery

February release BD only

HD (1080p) Blu-ray™ Presentation in 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 English Stereo Optional English Subtitles
Interview with Editor John Glen
Interview with Assistant producer Tony Klinger
Interview with Cinematographer Ousami Rawi
Original Trailer

February release BD only

2K Restoration From the Original Camera Negative
HD (1080p) Blu-ray™ Presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
2.0 English Mono
2.0 Italian Mono with Newly-translated English Subtitles
Audio Commentary with Italian Cinema Experts Eugenio Ercolani, Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thomson
Shorter US “Grindhouse” Cut
Sniff Around and Find Out - Featurette by Mike Malloy
Enzo’s Law - An Interview with Director Enzo G. Castellari Oliver
Onions - An Interview with Composer’s Guido and Maurizio De Angelis
Street Stunts - An Interview with Actor and Stuntman Massimo Vanni
Original Trailer TV Spot

February release BD only

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) Presentation in 1.66:1 Aspect Ratio
Original Mono 2.0 Audio with Improved English Subtitles
Audio commentary by critics Jasper Sharp and David Flint
Archive interview with director Toshiharu Ikeda Original
Storyboards Stills gallery
Behind the Scenes
Stills
Trailer
Booklet essay by Jim Harper Original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady Includes OBI Strip

February release BD only

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) Presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
Original Mono 2.0 Audio with Improved English Subtitles
Audio commentary by Jasper Sharp and David Flint
Brand new interview with screenwriter Chiaki Konaka
Brand new video essay by Jim Harper, author of Flowers From Hell: The Modern Japanese Horror Film
Stills gallery
Booklet essay by Amber T. Original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady Includes OBI Strip

January releases are all BDs:

S.W.A.T.
Tokyo Decadence
Loch Ness
Mosquito Squadron
Night of the Comet

[M Sanderson]

Evil Dead Trap; nice.

Glad also for the two Tigons and the Franco Dracula in 4k.

[colinr0380]

It is difficult to tell from the above whether Witchfinder General is going to have both the clothed and unclothed versions of the scene with the prostitute in the film, or just the unclothed one?

Evil Dead Trap might be a double-dip as whilst it does not carry over the director's commentary from the old Synapse Films DVD that was ported to the Unearthed Films Blu-ray in the US, it does have the new Jasper Sharp and David Flint commentary. Evil Dead Trap 2: Hideki (which it isn't particularly necessary to have seen the first film to see) however looks essential with all those extras compared to the Unearthed DVD/Blu-ray bare bones discs.

[Finch]

Frank Djeng tweeted that 88 will do Long Arm of the Law 3 + 4 will happen if the first set does well enough.

[yoloswegmaster]

Irongod revealed that the future release of Project A is going to have a Canto Dolby Atmos track with original sound effects (no word if the second film will have one as well) plus something very special being included (probably the alternate U.S. cut for both films). He didn't outright say if it was going to be a 4K release but it's been almost a year since they teased Project A, even though a 2K master already exists, and I can't imagine spending all that money creating a Atmos track for a BD-only release.

[yoloswegmaster]

Special Features:

LIMITED EDITION - Perfect-bound book
LIMITED EDITION - Six Replica Lobby Cards
LIMITED EDITION - Double-sided foldout Poster
LIMITED EDITION - Slipcase with brand-new artwork from Kung Fu Bob
4K (2160p) UHD presentation of the Hong Kong Cut [106 mins] in original 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio with Dolby Vision encoding (HDR10 Compatible)
4K (2160p) UHD presentation of the Taiwan Cut [115 mins] in original 2.39:1 Aspect Ratio with Dolby Vision encoding (HDR10 Compatible)
Cantonese-language options in Dolby Atmos and Cantonese 1.0 and with newly translated subtitle
English Dub
BRAND NEW 2024 Interview with Stuntman Mars
Interview with Jackie Chan
Interview with actor Lee Hoi San
Interview with actor Yuen Biao
Interview with actor Dick Wei
Interview with producer Michael Chan Wai-Man
Interview with composer Michael Lai
Interview with writer and producer Edward Tang
Interview with stuntman Mars
MORE TBC

[Finch]

Not my favorite of Kung Fu Bob's artwork (I'm assuming it's his) but the first film is an all-time favorite HK film of mine. Tentatively set for April, so hopefully they can hit that date.

[dwk]

Even though the specs don't mention it, the Project A set is dual-format UHD/Blu-ray release.

[unclehulot]

Even though the specs don't mention it, the Project A set is dual-format UHD/Blu-ray release.

Was told last year from an insider that this was coming to the US, but not from whom. Glad that rumor was true!

[yoloswegmaster]

88 are hosting a Q&A on Instagram and have revealed some plans for future releases.

• planning on releasing 4 Jackie Chan titles on 4K
• currently working on 5 Jet Li releases (Bodyguard from Beijing being hinted at as one of the titles. 3 or more are going to be released on UHD)
• some Chuck Norris titles getting 4K releases
• 3 Giallo titles being planned for 2024 (2 being on 4K)
• there will be some titles starring Chow Yun-Fat being released (but not ones that we are expecting)
• more CAT III releases are being planned
• they tried to get the rights to The Terminator for a 4K release but were unsuccessful

[tehthomas]

88 are hosting a Q&A on Instagram and have revealed some plans for future releases.


• they tried to get the rights to The Terminator for a 4K release but were unsuccessful

A 88 release of The Terminator on 4K would've been amazing.

Here's hoping with the three Cameron (Abyss, Aliens, True Lies) films coming to UHD next year and with the 40th Anniversary of The Terminator in 2024, that we might finally get a release. And if we get one, I hope it's done well. Fingers crossed!

[swo17]

The Fight Back to School films are hilarious. Very wacky and surreal. It's been 10 plus years since I saw them but I remember absolutely loving the first two. Marx Brothers meets the Police Story films.

Random thing I noticed about Fight Back to School 3: A motif repeated at least a few times in the film's score sounds remarkably similar to Boards of Canada's "Tears from the Compound Eye". They're even in the same key, though I doubt the song sampled the movie. This song instantly sends me into catatonic bliss, which is kind of a weird place from which to be watching this profoundly silly film

[Finch]

How are you liking the movies so far, swo?

[swo17]

They're pretty good for what they are. Worth picking up if you're interested, especially if you want the original hardbox packaging which I believe is close to selling out (next month a new version is coming out that will just be in a 3-disc single-width case--or maybe you'd prefer that version to conserve shelf space, you wouldn't be missing out on a book or anything)

[Finch]

Thanks for your feedback, much appreciated. I may grab the regular edition at some point as shelf space is definitely an issue for me.

[Finch]

One of 88's next HK titles will be The Holy Virgin vs The Evil Dead, at least for the UK, as the BBFC gave the film a 15 for home video certification. It certainly sounds wild as the BBFC mentions, uhm, exploding buttocks.

[feihong]

One of 88's next HK titles will be The Holy Virgin vs The Evil Dead, at least for the UK, as the BBFC gave the film a 15 for home video certification. It certainly sounds wild as the BBFC mentions, uhm, exploding buttocks.

Personally, I didn't enjoy the film so much as its reputation might suggest when I saw it about 18 months ago. But I had a lot to say about it on my letterboxd review: https://letterboxd.com/feihong/film/the ... d/reviews/

To be honest, I only have a few scattered memories of the movie now, and the afterglow of disappointment.