Code Red DVD

What do you think of this nifty little DVD label? Personally I love them and think they're doing a grand job releasing that kind of forgotten american regional low budget horror film that Stephen Thrower writes so well about in NIGHTMARE USA and that nobody else in the DVD releasing business would touch with a ten-foot pole (except for shitty "grey area" companies). I mean, who else but a fan (with little respect, or knowledge, of common practice in the captitalistic marketplace) would release special edition DVD:s of a movie like DON'T GO IN THE WOODS or BOARDINGHOUSE? Kudos, Code Red!

My favorites in their catalouge include:
MESSIAH OF EVIL (one of the best american indie horrors ever made, highly atmospheric, original and surreal)
BOARDINGHOUSE (esoteric, bat-crazy SOV slasher/comedy(?) headfuck)
SOLE SURVIVOR (just like MESSIAH a great and original indie horror that's undeservingly forgotten these days)
THE STRANGENESS (20,000$ monster flick with lots of charm and unique sets that transcends the poverty row budget)
DON'T GO IN THE WOODS... ALONE! (gory backwoods slasher that's so amateurish and inept and confusing it could be watched as outsider art)
FABOULOUS JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (lovely spanish Jules Verne fantasy, highly entertaining from start to finish)
WEEKEND MURDERS (really enjoyed this anglofilic giallo/whodunit)
SLITHIS (just your average 50s-style B-monster flick in 1970s hairdues and polyster suits but made with so much oomph and charm that you can't help to love it)

What's yours?

Really loved "Weekend Murders" too.

"Trapped" was pretty kickass. Henry Silva talking like a backwoods redneck was like injecting 10cc's of laughter in your jugular vein. My wife and I still talk just like him every now and then in the middle of a conversation. We'll go "Shut Up!" just like Henry did in this movie. Fucking great it was.

Is Rituals (1977) still coming out from Code Red?

Who knows? They have a record of announcing titles that somehow never seem materialise. I'm not complaining too loud as I realise that they are under a lot of financial pressure since many of their titles are not selling and also that often the materials for these film are often not satisfactory for a good DVD release... but still it's pretty lame. I sure hope they get this one out on the market as it's one of the best backwoods slashers. I also hope they get THE VISITOR out before I chicken out and buy the italian disc...

I have that one but haven't watched it yet. Suddently I got the urge to pop the fucker in the DVD player...

Who knows? They have a record of announcing titles that somehow never seem materialise. I'm not complaining too loud as I realise that they are under a lot of financial pressure since many of their titles are not selling and also that often the materials for these film are often not satisfactory for a good DVD release... but still it's pretty lame. I sure hope they get this one out on the market as it's one of the best backwoods slashers. I also hope they get THE VISITOR out before I chicken out and buy the italian disc...

Hopefully Rituals will see the light of day eventually.

Also I remember reading somewhere that Code Red is planning on releasing Romano Scavolini's Nightmare (1981). Would love to see this one too with cool extras!

The situation on the "Nightmare" release has become a huge nightmare for Code Red. According to those in the know at the A/V Maniacs forum, when Code Red obtained the original 16mm camera negatives of "Nightmare" they were badly stored and could not be used for a new restoration. The company had to restort to using various 35mm release prints that are said to be in decent condition.

The biggest issue is the interview with Romano Scavolini: he inisted on conducting the interview in Italian when he clearly could speak good English! After the interview was shot, Code Red was having a hard time getting it subbed. They were able to hire two guys to do the translation and the subbing, but apparently the two were a bad choice and screwed the whole thing up!

And, with the huge backlash of complaints from fans and the question of "Nightmare" being a possible non-selling release, it's unclear now if it will be released on DVD anytime soon. If you ever get a chance, check out Code Red's blog where you will find many badly written complaints from so called "fans" who are upset that "Nightmare" hasn't been released...even though Code Red perfectly explained on their blog the issues of the film elements and the Scavolini interview!!!

I'm really looking forward to their release of Exterminators of the Year 300! Hope they put some great extra's on there!

I have that one but haven't watched it yet. Suddently I got the urge to pop the fucker in the DVD player...

You get a chance to check this out, Lars? I'm curious to see what you thought as you do have a trained palate for this type of "so bad it's good" cinema...

Haven't gotten around to it yet. Need to find a little alone-time in front of the TV, this doesn't feel like something I could persuade the gf to watch... I'll write a review when it's watched.