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[Blu-ray Review] ‘Big Bad Wolves’ Holds Up to Multiple Viewings

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In my original review, I gushed over the critically acclaimed Israeli horror-comedy Big Bad Wolves. Now that it’s been released on home video by Magnolia Home Entertainment, I’ve had the chance to dive back into Aharon Keshales and Navot Papushado’s haunting and violent vision of revenge. It’s no surprise to say that the film holds up to multiple viewings and thanks to the disc’s fairly decent making-of feature, there’s even more hammer-swinging, blowtorch torture to enjoy.

To paraphrase my original review from back in January, Big Bad Wolves follows a rogue detective named Micli (Lior Ashkenazi) as he turns to brutal interrogation techniques to grill Dror (Rotem Keinan), the only suspect in a string of murders. Micki winds up crossing paths with Gidi (Tzahi Grad), the father of one of the murdered girls who’s out to get his own revenge against Dror.

The title suggests fairy tale elements, which are always lurking beneath the surface in the film. Co-writers/directors Keshales and Papushado address this concept in the making of feature. They explain that how the classic fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, pedophilia and sex are pretty much always part of the subext. Their idea was to take these classic subtexts and make a fairy tale for adults, while flipping the script in the process – making the wolves the hunted.

The making of features Keshales and Papushado as well as all the principal actors providing their insight into the film. Most notably, Rotem Keinan talks about the difficulties that go with being tortured every day on set. Subjects also discussed are Frank Ilfam’s amazing orchestral score, shooting in Israel, and balancing the tone of horror and comedy.

The only other special feature is the “AXS TV” A Look at Big Bad Wolves” spot, which is basically a condensed version of the longer making of feature.

The A/V is sharp and free of any hiccups, which should be expected when the source is a digital file.

Since reviewing Big Bad Wolves back in January, it’s still sitting high on my favorites list for the year. If you haven’t seen it yet and have the balls for a blind buy, definitely pick up the Blu-ray from Magnolia.

Patrick writes stuff about stuff for Bloody and Collider. His fiction has appeared in ThugLit, Shotgun Honey, Flash Fiction Magazine, and your mother's will. He'll have a ginger ale, thanks.

Home Video

‘Lisa Frankenstein’ Shambles Onto Blu-ray in April With Audio Commentary and Deleted Scenes

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lisa frankenstein trailer 2

The horror-comedy Lisa Frankenstein is headed home to physical media, with the film zombie-walking its way onto DVD and Blu-ray from Universal on April 9, 2024.

Directed by Zelda Williams and written by Diablo Cody (Juno, Jennifer’s Body), Lisa Frankenstein will also be available for a lower price on Digital beginning March 29.

Special Features include:

  • Audio commentary by director Zelda Williams
  • An Electric Connection featurette
  • Resurrecting the ‘80s featurette
  • A Dark Comedy Duo featurette
  • 5 deleted scenes
  • Gag reel

Meagan Navarro wrote in her review for Bloody Disgusting,” Billed as a coming-of-rage tale, Lisa Frankenstein instead offers a celebration of outcasts and weirdos.”

“It makes for a sugary sweet, almost wholesome effort held together by a trio of infectiously winsome performances,” Meagan’s review continued. She added, “As a celebration of teen girls and outcasts who just want to be loved, Lisa Frankenstein ultimately charms.”

Kathryn Newton (Freaky) and Cole Sprouse (“Riverdale”) lead the cast for Focus Features, and the new film is rated “PG-13” for “bloody images and sexual material.”

Carla Gugino (The Fall of the House of Usher), Liza Soberano (Alone/Together), Joe Chrest (Stranger Things) and Henry Eikenberry (The Crowded Room) also star.

[Related] ‘Lisa Frankenstein’ and ‘Jennifer’s Body’: A Match Made in Hot Pink Heaven

In Lisa Frankenstein, “Set in 1989, the film follows an unpopular high schooler who accidentally re-animates a handsome Victorian corpse during a lightning storm and starts to rebuild him into the man of her dreams using the broken tanning bed in her garage.”

Here’s the full official plot synopsis: “A coming of RAGE love story about a misunderstood teenager and her high school crush, who happens to be a handsome corpse. After a set of playfully horrific circumstances bring him back to life, the two embark on a murderous journey to find love, happiness… and a few missing body parts along the way.”

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