MAX FLEISCHER’S 40s ANIMATED SUPERMAN SERIES COMES TO BLU-RAY

 From DC Comics (Press Release)

Warner Bros. Discovery has meticulously remastered Max Fleischer’s treasured set of 17 animated Superman shorts from the original 35mm source elements. Max Fleischer’s Superman 1941-1943 will be available to purchase Digitally on HD and on Blu-ray May 16, 2023.

Superman made his comic book debut in 1938, appearing in Action Comics #1 (dated June 1938, but officially published on April 18, 1938), and the Man of Steel’s popularity grew with his subsequent radio program. Max Fleischer gave the world’s first Super Hero his initial animated spotlight, producing 17 theatrical animated shorts from September 1941 to July 1943 that further elevated the character’s profile, and added many significant aspects to his canon – including coining many of Superman’s patented catchphrases and attributes.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s advanced remastering process began with a 4K, 16-bit scan of Fleischer’s original 35mm successive exposure negative. Staying true to the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.37-to-1, the highest quality raw image was then scanned and then entered into the recombine process – utilizing special proprietary software to merge the successive exposure Technicolor negatives into a single RGB color image. The end result are pristine animated shorts that have been restored to the animators’ originally intended production quality.

Well known radio actors Clayton “Bud” Collyer and Joan Alexander reprised their famed The Adventures of Supermanradio show roles for the Fleischer/Famous Studios animated shorts as Superman/ Clark Kent and Lois Lane, respectively. Jackson Beck provided the voice of Perry White and the show’s primary narrator. Additional voices, many of whom had participated in the Superman radio program, were provided by Jack Mercer, Grant Richards, Julian Noa, Lee Royce, Max Smith, Sam Parker and Carl Meyer.

Max Fleischer’s Superman 1941-1943 will be available on May 16, 2023 to purchase Digitally in HD from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more, and on Blu-ray at major retailers both online and in-store.

 

EPISODES (AND PREMIERE DATE):

• Superman (Mad Scientist) – 9/26/1941
• The Mechanical Monsters – 11/28/1941
• Billion Dollar Limited – 1/9/1942
• Arctic Giant – 2/27/1942
• The Bulleteers – 3/27/1942
• The Magnetic Telescope – 4/24/1942
• Electric Earthquake – 5/15/1942
• Volcano – 7/10/1942
• Terror on the Midway – 8/28/1942
• The Japoteurs – 9/18/1942
• Showdown – 10/16/1942
• The Eleventh Hour – 11/20/1942
• Destruction, Inc. – 12/25/1942
• The Mummy Strikes – 2/19/1943
• Jungle Drums – 3/26/1943
• Underground World – 6/18/1943
• Secret Agent – 7/30/1943

 

SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:

New Featurette – Superman: Speeding Toward Tomorrow – Superman’s exploits in the Fleischer series modernized the monomyth of the Greek godlike hero and expanded and romanticized the prevalent themes of sci-fi and fantasy. It was this combination of heartfelt storytelling, relatable heroes and amazing visuals that has endeared the Fleischer series to fans as one of the greatest superhero stories of all time. This featurette explores the visual storytelling as the lavish animation, with special attention paid to all the atomic age technology, pushes science fiction closer to becoming a powerful social and pop culture force.

Featurette – First Flight: The Fleischer Superman Series – The Origins and Influence of This Groundbreaking Cartoon Series – A gathering of contemporary animators, comic book & animation historians, and legendary Fleischer artists examine these beloved shorts, focusing on the animation and the breakthrough techniques that created it, as well as studying the title character’s place in history.

Featurette – The Man, the Myth, Superman: Exploring the Tradition of Superman Heroes on the Page and Screen – A fascinating study of Superman-esque characters throughout history – in ancient myth, literature and film – that bring forth imaginative, super-human qualities, captivating audiences and enduring the test of time.

Pricing and film information:

PRODUCT                                                     SRP

Digital HD Purchase                                       $14.99 USA and CANADA

Blu-ray                                                        $33.99 USA, 39.99 CANADA

Languages: English

Subtitles: English, French

Running Time: 145 minutes

VIZ MEDIA ANNOUNCES HOME MEDIA RELEASE OF RANMA ½ ANIME SERIES SET 6 LIMITED EDITION BLU-RAY SET

From Media Lab

Zany Comedy And Martial Arts Action Continue In Latest High-Definition Episodes Of The Legendary Anime Series, Available In A Special Blu-Ray Collectable Or Standard Edition DVD Set



VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of anime and manga in North America, prepares a fresh round of RANMA ½ anime episodes for home media release in crisp high-definition with the debut of RANMA ½ Set 6 on June 2nd.

VIZ Media is releasing the gender-bending martial arts action comedy in the original Japanese series order across seven Limited Edition Blu-ray and Standard Edition DVD Box Sets. RANMA ½ is rated TV-14 and is based on the popular manga series originally created by Rumiko Takahashi. Notable bonus features include fan interviews highlighting the RANMA ½ phenomenon and an episode summary booklet.

The RANMA ½ Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set 6 carries an MSRP of $54.97 U.S. / $63.99 CAN. The latest set contains Episodes 116-138 on 3 discs, presented in full 1080p high-definition resolution with the series’ original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio. Subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options are available. The Blu-ray edition also contains a full color art card and a 32-page booklet with individual episode summaries.

Blu-ray bonus features include clean openings and endings as well as series trailers and special “We Love Ranma Part 6 - We Love Working on RANMA ½” and “We Love Ranma Part 7 – We Love Bloopers” segments. The set comes in a gorgeously illustrated chipboard box with embossed foil stamping.

The RANMA ½ Standard Edition DVD Set 6 also features 23 episodes with the original, un-cropped 4:3 aspect ratio, with bonus features that include clean openings and endings and trailers. Subtitled and English dubbed dialogue options are available. The Standard Edition DVD set is available with an MSRP of $44.82 U.S. / $51.99 CAN.

The mayhem continues in RANMA ½ Set 6! A mysterious young man who uses pantyhose as a weapon steals the Jusenkyo guestbook and kidnaps Akane. In order to save her, Ranma teams up with Ryoga, Mousse, and Shampoo, but the young man, like Ranma, also undergoes a transformation when splashed with cold water! After that, monsters escape from strange hanging scrolls and cause chaos around town! The only way to stop them is for Ranma to go on a date with a scribbled panda that has also come out of a scroll! Finally, Ukyo stays at the Tendo Dojo to recover from the shock of a ruined okonomiyaki sauce that has been marinating for ten years. Could Ranma, who is acting strangely kind around Ukyo, have something to do with that too?

RANMA ½ manga creator Rumiko Takahashi is one of Japan’s most prolific and respected manga artists and is the creator of several long running series including MAISON IKKOKU, RANMA ½, and INUYASHA – all published in North America by VIZ Media. The spotlight on her prolific career began in 1978 when she won an honorable mention in Shogakukan's annual New Comic Artist Contest for Those Selfish Aliens. Later that same year, her boy-meets-alien comedy series, Urusei Yatsura, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Sunday. This phenomenally successful manga series was adapted into anime format and also spawned a TV series and half a dozen theatrical-release movies, all incredibly popular. Takahashi followed up the success of her debut series with one blockbuster hit after another— MAISON IKKOKU ran from 1980 to 1987, RANMA ½ from 1987 to 1996, and INUYASHA from 1996 to 2008. Other notable works include MERMAID SAGA, RUMIC THEATER, ONE-POUND GOSPEL, and RIN-NE (all also published in North America by VIZ Media).

For more information on RANMA ½ or other award-winning anime titles from VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.

"Godzilla" Coming To Blu-Ray By Year's End

by Armand Vaquer

Above, will Akira Takarada's cut scene be included as an extra? Photo: Legendary Pictures/Warner Bros.

It looks like we'll have Godzilla (2014) on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D before the end of the year.

According to High-Def Digest:

The legendary monster is stomping toward Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D later this year. 

In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Bros. is preparing 'Godzilla (2014)' and 'Godzilla - 3D (2014)' for Blu-ray in 2014.

The article states that specs, supplements and suggested retail price hasn't been detailed yet. I would hazard a guess that the discs will be out by Christmas.

It is interesting that the article makes no mention of DVD.

To read the full article, go here. 

"King Kong vs. Godzilla" and "King Kong Escapes" On Blu-ray April 1

by Armand Vaquer

Above, King Kong vs. Godzilla. Photo by Toho Co., Ltd.

Blu-ray.com is reporting that King Kong vs. Godzilla and King Kong Escapes will be released on Blu-ray disc on April 1 by Universal Pictures.

It appears that both will be "bare-bones" discs and will only contain the U.S. releases. No price information has been provided.

The U.S. version of King Kong vs. Godzilla was the first Godzilla movie I saw in a theater when it was first released back in June 1963.

As I have both movies on DVD, I will probably pass on these, but if either are not already in your video library, you many want to pick them up.

Monster Island News - Ultimate Halloween Store!

Our ultimate Halloween store is now open for business!

Items just added include:

Pacific Rim (Blu-ray+DVD+UltraViolet Combo Pack - $24.99
Pacific Rim (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet Combo Pack - $29.99
Steve Ditko's Monsters Volume 2: Konga - $27.99
Universal Monster Collector's Edition Creature from the Black Lagoon mask - $47.99
Gorgo [Blu-ray] - $11.99
Star Trek Original Series Gorn 1:6 Scale Statue - $159.99
Heavy Metal Magazine Cybercop 1:4 Scale Statue - $329.99
Batman Dark Knight Rises Adult Cape and Mask Set - $14.99
Star Wars Episode III Darth Vader Supreme Edition Costume - $776.99
Steampunk Engineer Corset - $117.99

More items are being added daily so be sure to check back with us for all your Halloween needs!

ENTER THE MONSTER ISLAND NEWS ULTIMATE HALLOWEEN STORE

Fire Maidens of Outer Space (Blu-ray)

The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) and its even better sequel, Quatermass II (1957) are among the best sci-fi movies ever made. Though low-budget British productions, both films have extremely intelligent scripts (adapted from Nigel Kneale's television serials) and are still effective, even scary, when seen today.
But those movies were exceptions to the rule. Fifties sci-fi movies emanating from Britain were fairly rare to began with, and those that were made tend to be either dull (Spaceways, Satellite in the Sky) or uniquely bizarre (Devil-Girl from Mars). Fire Maidens of Outer Space (1956) is an anomaly among anomalies. Written, produced, and directed by Chicago-born Cy Roth and starring Nebraska native Anthony Dexter, the film deliberately (and pretty accurately) emulates the worst Hollywood-made low-budget sci-fi movies. Specifically, Fire Maidens of Outer Space is basically a British rehash of Cat-Women of the Moon (1953), the admittedly hilarious, naïve turkey starring Sonny Tufts and Marie Windsor. Alas, Fire Maidens of Outer Space isn't as memorably awful as that wondrous film. Though opening scenes are clearly set in England, there's a vague attempt to make the film appear American, and American accents dominate.

However, until now Fire Maidens of Outer Space was one of the most difficult ‘50s sci-fi movies to see. I remember it turning up once or twice on the Sci-Fi channel more than 20 years ago but no where else before or since, and this is its first official home video release. The movie may be among the worst-ever professionally produced science fiction films, but I'm genuinely grateful to Olive Films for making it available, and in glorious high-def to boot.



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Star Trek: The Original Series - Origins (Blu-ray)

Star Trek: The Original Series - Origins (Blu-ray)

Paramount / 1966 / 265 Minutes / Unrated
Street Date: September 10, 2013

This disc has not yet been reviewed. The following information has been provided by the distributor.

Genres: Classic, Science Fiction, TV

Starring: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelley
Plot Synopsis:

Here are the Origin episodes of the most significant characters from Star Trek: The Original Series introduced by Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry:

• The Cage: the pilot that started it all and introduced Captain Pike and Spock.
• Where No Man Has Gone Before: the first time Captain Kirk is seen at the helm of the Enterprise.
• Space Seed: the debut of super villain, Khan.
• Errand of Mercy: the crew's first encounter with the barbaric Klingons.
• Trouble with Tribbles: the arrival of the cute, but catastrophic creatures.

Now own and witness the first appearances of these captivating characters that graced the final frontier!

15 Life Lessons We Learned From 'National Lampoon's Vacation'

From NextMovie

There are few activities more American — and none more excruciating — than a good ol' family road trip across this giant boring country of ours. And the brilliant comedy "National Lampoon's Vacation," which is getting a newfangled 30-year anniversary Blu-ray release this week, sums up those carsick sensations of summer with pitch-perfect gags.

Based on an autobiographical short story in National Lampoon magazine, John Hughes' hilarious screenplay eloquently expresses the universal truth that nothing drives a family apart faster than a long drive together. So with this classic celebrating its 30th anniversary this summer, we're reviewing some life lessons learned by the Griswolds on the holiday road.

Lesson #1: Car Salesmen are Not Always Trustworthy

On rare occasion, an unsavory car dealer will attempt to sell you an automobile not ideal for your personal needs and finances. And all the attributes of that hypothetically ill-suited vehicle come standard in the Wagon Queen Family Truckster.

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"Gorgo" Coming To Blu-ray, VCI Says

by Armand Vaquer

A friend checked with VCI Entertainment and was told that the Blu-ray edition of Gorgo is slated to be released on March 19.

It is my understanding that the Blu-ray will be made from a new HD 1080P transfer from either the 35mm negative, or master positive.  If so, then this is great news!

Updated By Ken Hulsey

 

A volcanic eruption in the North Atlantic brings to the surface a 65-foot prehistoric monster. Two treasure divers capture the creature and take him to London where he made the star attraction at a circus. A scientist is thoughtful enough to point out that the sailors bonanza is only an infant, and that a full-grown specimen would be over 200 feet in height. Sure enough, Gorgo s mama comes thundering ashore, reclaims her offspring and heads back to sea but not before, she trashes a generous portion of London. Bonus Features: "Ninth Wonder Of The World: The Making Of Gorgo" a new documentary by Daniel Griffith | Gorgo - Video Comic Book and Comic Book Cover Gallery | Extensive Lobby Card & Poster Gallery | Photo Gallery | Gorgo Toys & Collectibles Gallery | Production Notes | Original Theatrical Trailer | Pressbook Gallery | Star Ciné Cosmos - French-language "fumetto" (comic book) | Restoration Video Before & After Product Specs: BD50; Enhanced 5.1/PCM; English Subtitles; RT - 77 minutes; Color; Aspect Ratio - 1.85:1/HD 1080p; Year - 1961; SRP - $19.99

Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection Blu Ray

Source: Collider / Universal

For the first time ever, eight of the most iconic cinematic masterpieces of the horror genre are available together on Blu-rayTM as Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection debuts on October 2, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. Digitally restored from high resolution film elements in perfect high-definition picture and perfect high-definition sound for the first time ever, Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection brings together the very best of Universal’s legendary monsters—imaginative and technically groundbreaking tales of terror that launched a uniquely American movie genre. This definitive collection features eight films on Blu-rayTM, a collectible 48-page book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs, original posters, correspondence and much more. Each iconic film is accompanied by an array of bonus features that tell the fascinating story of its creation and history, including behind-the-scenes documentaries, filmmaker commentaries, interviews, storyboards, photo galleries, and trailers. Especially appealing for fans are a never-before-seen featurette about the restoration of Dracula and the first ever offering of Creature from the Black Lagoon in its restored Blu-rayTM 3D version.



From the era of silent movies through the present day, Universal Pictures has been regarded as the home of the monsters. Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection honors the studio’s accomplishments with the most iconic monsters in motion-picture history including Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, Phantom of the Opera and Creature from the Black Lagoon. Featuring performances by legends of the horror genre, including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney, Jr., Claude Rains and Elsa Lanchester, these eight iconic films also feature groundbreaking special effects and innovative makeup that continue to influence filmmakers into the 21st century. Sure to be a Halloween favorite for years to come, Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection is the ideal gift for film buffs and horror aficionados alike.

Dracula (1931)

The original 1931 movie version of Bram Stoker’s classic tale has for generations defined the iconic look and terrifying persona of the famed vampire. Dracula owes its continued appeal in large part due to Bela Lugosi’s indelible portrayal of the immortal Count Dracula and the flawless direction of horror auteur Tod Browning. The Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection includes the original version of this chilling and evocative tale, as well as the rarely seen Spanish version of Dracula. Filmed simultaneously with the English language version, the Spanish version of Dracula is an equally ominous vision of the horror classic shot with the same sets and script. Cinematographer George Robinson and a vibrant cast including Carlos Villarias and Lupita Tovar deliver a chilling and evocative tale filled with the same terror, mystery, and intrigue.

Bonus Features:

Dracula, the 1931 Spanish version, with Introduction by Lupita Tovar Kohner
The Road to Dracula
Lugosi: The Dark Prince
Dracula: The Restoration – New Featurette Available for The First Time!
Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About the Making of Dracula
Dracula Archives
Score by Philip Glass performed by the Kronos Quartet
Feature Commentary by Film Historian David J. Skal
Feature Commentary by Steve Haberman, Screenwriter of Dracula: Dead and Loving It
Trailer Gallery

Frankenstein (1931)

Boris Karloff stars as the screen’s most tragic and iconic monster in what many consider to be the greatest horror film ever made. Dr. Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) dares to tamper with the essential nature of life and death by creating a monster (Karloff) out of lifeless human body parts. Director James Whale’s adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel and Karloff’s compassionate portrayal of a creature groping for identity make Frankenstein a timeless masterpiece.

Bonus Features:

The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
Karloff: The Gentle Monster
Monster Tracks: Interactive Pop-Up Facts About The Making of Frankenstein
Universal Horror
Frankenstein Archives
Boo!: A Short Film
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
Feature Commentary with Historian Sir Christopher Frayling
100 Years Of Universal: Restoring the Classics
Trailer Gallery

The Mummy (1932)

Horror icon Boris Karloff stars in the original 1932 version of The Mummy in which a team of British archaeologists accidentally revives a mummified high priest after 3,700 years. Alive again, he sets out on an obsessive—and deadly—quest to find his lost love. Over 50 years after its first release, this brooding dream-like horror classic remains a cinematic masterpiece.

Bonus Features:

Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art Of Jack Pierce
Unraveling the Legacy of The Mummy
The Mummy Archives
Feature Commentary by Rick Baker, Scott Essman, Steve Haberman, Bob Burns and Brent Armstrong
Feature Commentary by Film Historian Paul M. Jensen
100 Years Of Universal: The Carl Laemmle Era
Trailer Gallery

The Invisible Man (1933)

Claude Rains delivers an unforgettable performance in his screen debut as a mysterious doctor who discovers a serum that makes him invisible. Covered by bandages and dark glasses, Rains arrives in a small English village and attempts to hide his amazing discovery, but the drug’s side effects slowly drive him to commit acts of unspeakable terror. Based on H.G. Welles’ classic novel and directed by the master of macabre, James Whale, The Invisible Man fueled a host of sequels and features revolutionary special effects that are still imitated today.

Bonus Features:

Now You See Him: The Invisible Man Revealed
Production Photographs
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Rudy Behlmer
100 Years of Universal: Unforgettable Characters

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

The acclaimed sequel to the original Frankenstein has become one of the most popular horror classics in film history. The legendary Boris Karloff reprises his role as the screen’s most misunderstood monster, now longing for a mate of his own. Colin Clive is back as the proud and overly ambitious Dr. Frankenstein, who creates the ill-fated bride (Elsa Lanchester). The last horror film directed by James Whale features a haunting musical score that helps make The Bride of Frankenstein one of the finest and most touching thrillers of its era.

Bonus Features:

She’s Alive! Creating The Bride Of Frankenstein
The Bride Of Frankenstein Archive
Feature Commentary with Scott MacQueen
100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics
Trailer Gallery

The Wolf Man (1941)

Originally released in 1941, The Wolf Man introduced the world to a new Universal movie monster and redefined the mythology of the werewolf forever. Featuring a heartbreaking performance by Lon Chaney Jr. and groundbreaking make-up by Jack Pierce, The Wolf Man is the saga of Larry Talbot, a cursed man who transforms into a deadly werewolf when the moon is full. The dreamlike atmospheres, elaborate settings and chilling musical score combine to make The Wolf Man a masterpiece of the genre.

Bonus Features:

Monster by Moonlight
The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth
Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney, Jr.
He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce
The Wolf Man Archives
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
100 Years of Universal: The Lot
Trailer Gallery

Phantom of the Opera (1943)

This lavish retelling of Gaston Leroux’s immortal horror tale stars Claude Rains as the masked phantom who haunts the Paris Opera House. A crazed composer who schemes to make beautiful young soprano Christine DuBois (Susanna Foster) the star of the opera company, the Phantom also wreaks revenge on those he believes stole his music. Nelson Eddy, as the heroic baritone, tries to win the affections of Christine as he tracks down the murderous, horribly disfigured Phantom.

Bonus Features:

The Opera Ghost: A Phantom Unmasked
Production Photographs
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Scott MacQueen
100 Years of Universal: The Lot
Theatrical Trailer

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Captured and imprisoned for scientific study, a living “amphibious missing link” becomes enamored with the head researcher’s female assistant (Julie Adams). When the hideous creature escapes and kidnaps the object of his affection, a crusade is launched to rescue the helpless woman and cast the terrifying creature back to the depths from which he came. Featuring legendary makeup artist Bud Westmore’s brilliantly designed monster, Creature from the Black Lagoon is an enduring tribute to the imaginative genius of its Hollywood creators.

Bonus Features:

The Creature From The Black Lagoon in 3D
Back to The Black Lagoon
Production Photographs
Feature Commentary with Film Historian Tom Weaver
100 Years of Universal: The Lot
Trailer Gallery

USA Today Article On Criterion's "Godzilla" Blu-ray

by Armand Vaquer


USA Today is carrying an article on the upcoming Criterion Blu-ray edition of the original 1954 Godzilla and the 1956 Americanized Godzilla, King of The Monsters!

The article also includes interview comments by kaiju historians David Kalat and August Ragone.

The article starts with:

From terms like "Bridezilla" to films like Godzilla vs. the Smog Monster, the thought of Japan's most famous monster usually evokes a chuckle, not a roar.

But the roots of the Tokyo-stomping beast are dark and terrible. Long before its 27 sequels and endless spinoffs, the original 1954 film, called Gojira in Japan, was a fearful atomic fable from expert filmmakers, a metaphor for the bombing of Hiroshima that ended World War II just nine years earlier.

On Tuesday, the highbrow Criterion Collection, which usually traffics in the world of Hitchcock, Truffaut and Japan's Akira Kurosawa, will add digitally restored editions of Toho Studios' Gojira and the watered-down American version from 1956, Godzilla: King of the Monsters with Raymond Burr, to its prestigious DVD and Blu-ray catalog.

To read the full USA Today online article, go here.

Holiday DVD And Blu-ray Gift Ideas For The Monster Movie Fan In Your Home

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Amazon.com

Yes we are well into the holiday gift buying season and as it happens every year we are all running around like fury little idiots trying to find the right gifts for the right people. It can be quite a daunting task, so much so that you may be tempted just to buy everyone a bag of cookies and be done with it. Then again ... who do I give the chocolate chip ones to and who gets the peanut butter? Argh it can be maddening!

Well if you have a monster movie buff or just a movie buff in general on your holiday shopping list, and if your reading MIN that's a safe bet, hopefully I can be of some assistance.

I have taken the time to compile a selection of DVD and Blu-ray titles that will make any monster movie nut pop a yule log come Christmas morning.

TCM Greatest Classic Film Collection: Hammer Horror (Horror of Dracula / Dracula Has Risen from the Grave / The Curse of Frankenstein / Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed)

Hey with this one you get four, count em, four great Hammer horror films in one package. What a value!

Order on DVD From Amazon.com for $9.99

Godzilla Vs Megalon (DVD and Blu-ray)

For about a decade Godzilla fans have been going ape-shit crazy waiting for this title to come to DVD!

Here's the plot:

The undersea kingdom of Seatroplis is threatened when Japan begins atomic testing near Tokyo. The angry Seatopians send their secret weapon, Megalon, to destroy Tokyo and eliminate the human race. But earth gets once last chance when the sleeping Godzilla is rudely awakened! It becomes a titanic tag team of apocalyptic dimensions as Godzilla and robot superhero Jet Jaguar fight Megalon and Gigan in an all-out rubber-suit rumble to determine Earth s fate.

Order this film on Blu-ray from Amazon,com $24.99

Order this film on DVD from Amazon.com $14.99

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (Two-Disc Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

Speaking of going ape-shit crazy, Rise of the Planet of the Apes was this past summers best movie!

Here's the plot:

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a revolution; an action-packed epic featuring stunning visual effects and creatures unlike anything ever seen before. At the story's heart is Caesar (Andy Serkis), a chimpanzee who gains human-like intelligence and emotions from an experimental drug. Raised like a child by the drug's creator (James Franco), Caesar ultimately finds himself taken from the humans he loves and imprisoned. Seeking justice, Caesar assembles a simian army and escapes -- putting man and primate on a collision course that could change the planet forever.

Order this DVD/Blu-ray combo from Amazon.com $24.99

Green Slime (Remastered Edition)

Another film that sci fi and monster movie fans have been waiting for. This one is so bad that it's good!

The plot:

After a perilous mission to a huge asteroid, a crew returns to its space station, unaware a bit of ooze from the asteroid clings to a crewman's uniform. The green goop grows - into murderous, tentacled monsters. And as station members fight to live, gunk from the monsters' wounds turns into more monsters! That's the story. Now enjoy as our heroes fight to preserve Earth and, unintentionally, our own senses of humor with a movie that Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times called "one of the funniest made-in-Japan sci-fi monster movies ever." Kinji Fukasaku, whose later work was championed by Quentin Tarantino, directs. The world would be a far more bleak and joyless place without marvels like The Green Slime.

Order this film on DVD from Amazon.com $15.99

Godzilla (The Criterion Collection)

It's about time this amazing film got the Criterion treatment! This is a must-have item for any movie fan!

The skinny:

Ishiro Honda’s Godzilla is the roaring granddaddy of all monster movies. It’s also a remarkably humane and melancholy drama made in Japan at a time when the country was still reeling from nuclear attack and H-bomb testing. Its rampaging radioactive beast, the poignant embodiment of an entire population’s fears, became a beloved international icon of destruction, spawning more than twenty sequels and spinoffs. This first thrilling, tactile spectacle continues to be a cult phenomenon; here, we present the original, 1954 Japanese version, along with Godzilla: King of the Monsters!, the 1956 American reworking starring Raymond Burr (Rear Window).

Order this film on Blu-ray from Amazon.com $27.99

Order this film on DVD from Amazon.com $19.99

Paul (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have done it again! This was another great film that may have slipped under some people's radar. Trust me, you will pee yourself from laughing!

The propaganda:

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead) reunite as sci-fi geeks taking a pilgrimage to America's UFO heartland. There they meet a smart-ass alien, Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen), who takes them on an insane road trip. As they struggle to return Paul home, the little green man might just take the outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes.

Order this DVD/Blu-ray combo From Amazon.com $12.99

Order this film on DVD from Amazon.com $10.49

Kingdom Of The Spiders [Special Edition]

William Shatner covered in tarantulas, do I have to say more?

The crawling facts:

William Shatner stars as veterinarian Rack Hansen in this cult classic about an Arizona town infested with a horde of arachnids that turn on the humans whose insecticides have depleted their natural food supply.

After livestock belonging to rancher Walter Colby fall victim to a spider attack, entomologist Diane Ashley (Tiffany Bolling) arrives and tries to help Rack deal with the crisis: but with the big county fair fast approaching, Mayor Connors refuses to let them quarantine the ranch. Soon the remaining residents of the town must barricade themselves at Emma Washburns lodge in an effort to save themselves from the eight-legged invaders in the ultimate man vs. spider showdown.

Order this movie on DVD from Amazon.com $15.99

The Criterion Collection: "Godzilla"

Details on the upcoming Criterion Blu-ray and DVD of Godzilla (1954) are now available at Criterion's website. Both the Blu-ray and DVD editions will be available January 24, 2012.

Features include:

New high-definition digital restoration (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)

Audio commentary by David Kalat (A Critical History and Filmography of Toho’s Godzilla Series)

New high-definition digital restoration of Godzilla, King of the Monsters, Terry Morse’s 1956 reworking of the original, starring Raymond Burr

Audio commentary for Godzilla, King of the Monsters by Kalat

New interviews with actor Akira Takarada (Hideto Ogata), Godzilla performer Haruo Nakajima, and effects technicians Yoshio Irie and Eizo Kaimai

Interview with legendary Godzilla score composer Akira Ifukube

Featurette detailing Godzilla’s photographic effects

New interview with Japanese-film critic Tadao Sato

The Unluckiest Dragon, an illustrated audio essay featuring historian Greg Pflugfelder describing the tragic fate of the fishing vessel Daigo fukuryu maru, a real-life event that inspired Godzilla

Theatrical trailers

New and improved English subtitle translation

PLUS: A booklet featuring an essay by critic J. Hoberman

To see Criterion's site on the Godzilla Blu-ray and DVD, go here.

Star Wars Blu-ray Deleted Scenes Trailer

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Lisa Dullard / Youtube

Many years ago I wrote an article for the original Monster Island News about the infamous deleted scenes from "Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope". At that time the footage that was allocated to the cutting room floor had been seen very rarely and was mysteriously absent from both DVD and VHS releases of the original Star Wars trilogy. Likewise similar content from "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" had also been left out. These scenes included, but were not limited to, Biggs talking with Luke in Anchorhead, Wampas running amok in the Rebel Base on Hoth, and a Tatooine sandstorm in Jedi.

Now, after so many years, Lucasfilm has changed their mind about keeping these lost treasures ... well, "lost" .... and will include them in the upcoming Blu-ray release of the trilogy.

As a precursor to that Lucasfilm has put together a sweet little teaser with some of the scenes I mentioned to get all of us Star Wars nerds jazzed up and ready to empty our wallets at the local video store.

Here is an excerpt from my original article:

(Luke and Biggs from A New Hope)

The scene starts with a close up of Luke as he jumps from his landspeeder and climbs the stairs to the power station. Once inside we get our first look at Luke's friends. Fixer is seated behind a table with Camie on his lap. They are both asleep. Luke tosses something at them upon entering to wake them. Camie sits up with a attitude at being awoke. Lukes walks past them upon seeing his old friend Biggs has returned . Deek and Windy, two fellow farm boys are playing a type of mechanically-assisted pool with Biggs. Luke then remembers the battle he had just seen and urges them all outside. Deek and Windy don't want to leave their game.

Deek: Not again, forget it!
Windy: (angry at Biggs) Will you come back here and play the game?
Fixer: (Still waking up) What's all the noise about?
Camie: Looks like Wormie's caught too much sun.

They all exit the station and climb to the platform that surrounds the generator room. They all begin to survey the sky. Biggs soon decides that there is nothing really to see. Camie grabs the binoculars from Luke to see for herself. Luke protests and Fixer attempts to start to protect her. While Camie scans the sky Biggs gives Luke some advice.

Biggs: I tell you Luke, the Rebellion's a long way away from here. This planet? A big hunk of nothing.
Fixer: (not really caring about the space battle and not being able to take his eyes off Camie) I doubt the Empire would Evan fight to save the system.
They all head back into the station and Camie carelessly tosses Luke back his binoculars causing him to almost drop them.
Luke: Hey! Will you watch it?"
The scene ends with Luke alone outside looking at the sky as if he really saw anything.

The final sequence of the lost footage is a conversation between Biggs and Luke as they exit the power station. The two are holding cups of what is refereed to as "Malt Brew." It is at this point Biggs tells Luke of his secret plan to leave the Academy and join the Rebellion. Luke is over-whelmed by the news and left almost speechless. Luke admits that he has canceled his application to the Academy to help Uncle Owen with his farm. It is easy to see why Luke looks up to Biggs because he is living the life that he can only dream of. The two part with a handshake and Biggs leaves to find his destiny while Luke can only watch and yearn for a life of adventure.

PAUL DVD News And Simon Pegg Book Signings

Written By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Simon Pegg via Twitter

Two really important notes for all of you Simon Pegg fans out there. First off Simon will be doing a three stop mini tour to promote his book "Nerd Do Well" here in America.

This is what Pegg posted to Twitter on Saturday:

America. D'you like books? Would you like my book. Would you like me to sign said book? Well here's how that can happen http://bit.ly/jciHer

Here is a list of the locations where you, the lucky Pegg worshiping maniac that you are, can meet him:

NEW YORK, NY
STRAND BOOKSTORE, 828 Broadway, Fl 3, New York, NY 10003
Monday, June 13 - 7:00 PM - author event. Talk/Signing
http://www.strandbooks.com/

AUSTIN, TX
BOOKPEOPLE, 603 North Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX 78703
Wednesday, June 15 - 7:00 PM - bookstore.

LOS ANGELES, CA
BARNES & NOBLE #2089, The Grove, 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Friday, June 17 - 7:00 PM - bookstore. Talk/Signing
http://www.bn.com

No word on whether the Dalek will be on tour with Pegg or not. He sure seems to like the book though.

Secondly, it has just been announced that "Paul" will be released on DVD and Blu-ray in the UK on June 13th. No news on a US release yet, but I'm sure that is right around the corner. Here is the press release:

From the team that bought you Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead comes an out-of-this-world gift for Father’s Day and the must-own comedy adventure of the year… PAUL. Comedy duo Simon Pegg and Nick Frost team up again in this inventive, laugh-out-loud film as Graeme (Pegg) and Clive (Frost); two sci-fi geeks who embark on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever. Join Graeme, Clive and Paul on their road-trip adventure as Working Title and Universal Pictures (UK) Ltd bring you the hilarious PAUL on two disc DVD, two disc Blu-Ray Triple Play and two disc Limited Edition Blu-ray Steel Book on 13 June 2011.

For the past 60 years, an alien named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen; Superbad, Knocked Up) has been hanging out at a top-secret military base. When he discovers he's been taken prisoner, the quick-witted, smart-ass alien decides to escape the compound and hop on the first vehicle out of town-a rented RV containing Earthlings Graeme Willy (Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Frost) who are on a pilgrimage to America’s UFO heartland. Chased by federal agents and the fanatical father of a young woman that they accidentally kidnap, Graeme and Clive hatch a fumbling escape plan to return Paul to his mother ship. As the two nerds struggle to help, one little green man might just take his fellow outcasts from misfits to intergalactic heroes.

Co-written by Pegg and Frost, and directed by Greg Mottola (Superbad), PAUL features a fantastic supporting cast of Hollywood actors including Jason Bateman (Up in the Air, Juno), Bill Hader (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad) and Kristian Wiig (Despicable Me, Knocked Up). Packed with brilliant special features, PAUL is the perfect comedy to share with your dad this Father’s Day on DVD and Blu-ray Triple Play!

Blu-ray and DVD Details
Title Paul
Certificate 15
Feature Run Time 1 hour 47 mins
Genre Comedy
RRP (DVD) £19.99
RRP (Blu-ray) £26.99
RRP (Blu-ray Steelbook) £29.99

DVD Special Features:
Extended feature
Audio commentary with Greg Mottola, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost
Bloopers
The Evolution of Paul
Simon Silly Faces
Who the hell is Adam Shadowchild?
Galleries
Between The Lightning Strikes: The Making Of Paul
Audio Description

Blu-ray Special Features:
Extended feature
Audio commentary with Greg Mottola, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Producer Nira Park
BTS Featurette (8 featurettes)
Between The Lightning Strikes: The Making Of Paul
The Evolution of Paul
Bloopers
Who the hell is Adam Shadowchild?
Simon Silly Faces
Galleries

See Also: SHAUN OF THE DEAD In 60 Seconds Scott Pilgrim Style / Paul (2011)(Universal) /Univerasl Picks Up the Tab For PAUL Roadtrip / Shaun of the Dead - Bash 'Em In The Head - T-Shirt / Celluloid Philosophers - Shaun / Hot Fuzz (2007)(Rogue Pictures) / Star Trek (2009)(Paramount) / Pegg Makes His Portrayal Of Scotty A Tribute To Doohan / Simon Pegg Reaches Out To Star Trek Fans / Has Simon Pegg Burned His Star Wars Bridge? / Is Edgar Wright Planning A Gorgo Remake? / Pegg, Wright, And Frost Set To Cause The Worlds End