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April 2023 Physical Media Roundup – 7 Horror Releases You Don’t Want to Miss
With April 2023 upon us, we’re highlighting a handful of key releases coming to Blu-ray and 4K UHD physical media… specifically, releases horror fans may want to get their hands on.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – Available on 4K UHD on April 10th
The latest release of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray comes from UK company Second Sight Films on April 10th. The limited edition version of this release features all-new premium packaging with art cards and a 190-page hardcover book. Second Sight has also promised a “new presentation with additional restoration work” above and beyond the previously released 4K discs, so we will have to see what that includes.
Infinity Pool – Available on Blu-ray on April 11th
Brandon Cronenberg’s latest hits Blu-ray from NEON and Decal Releasing on April 11th. With rave reviews during its theatrical run, fans have been anxiously awaiting the home video release of this disturbing film that is sure to leave even the most hardened horror movie fan shocked. I personally can’t wait to see what is next from the Cronenberg family; those must be some wild Thanksgiving dinners!
House of 1000 Corpses – 20th Anniversay Blu-ray Available on April 11th
Rob Zombie’s horror classic House of 1000 Corpses celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a new collectible Blu-ray SteelBook and premium box set package from Lionsgate on April 11th. The box set includes an exclusive poster, art cards, and a 10-page photo book while the SteelBook includes new exclusive artwork. Both releases include a second disc with brand-new bonus features including interviews with the cast, screen tests, and behind-the-scenes footage.
Living with Chucky – Available on Blu-ray on April 18th
A new horror documentary distributed by Cinedigm, Living with Chucky makes its Blu-ray debut on April 18th. Directed by Kyra Gardner, daughter of Tony Gardner, the chief puppeteer for most of the franchise, this documentary explores the impact of Chucky and the Child’s Play franchise on those who lived it. Featuring interviews with horror legends Brad Dourif, Jennifer Tilly, Lin Shaye, Don Mancini, Alex Vincent, and many others, this is one that Child’s Play fans can’t miss. The documentary will first be available on SCREAMBOX on April 4th.
The Haunting of Julia – Available on 4K UHD on April 18th
Scream Factory brings 1977’s The Haunting of Julia (also known as Full Circle) to 4K UHD Blu-ray for the first time on April 18th. Starring Mia Farrow (Rosemary’s Baby), Keir Dullea (Black Christmas), and Sophie Ward (Young Sherlock Holmes), this supernatural thriller delivers serious atmospheric horror and a wonderful 1970s vibe. This release also features a meticulous restoration effort with a new 4K scan of the original camera negative and loads of new special features that give this little-known film new life on physical media.
Two Orphan Vampires – Available on 4K UHD & Blu-ray on April 25th
Originally released in 1997, Two Orphan Vampires marked French filmmaker Jean Rollin’s return to the world of the vampire. Presented here on 4K UHD by Indicator Films in a new limited edition package, this release features an 80-page book full of essays, new archival interviews, a new documentary on the film. and a brand new 4K HDR film restoration struck from the original camera negative. This is likely a deeper cut for mainstream horror fans, but if you are interested in this release, act fast; Indicator has only 2,000 copies for sale of the limited edition.
Lover’s Lane – Available on Blu-ray on April 25th
Lover’s Lane was probably the least popular 90s slasher featuring a killer with a hook hand, but still a fun entry for the genre. Presented here with a new HD restoration struck from the camera negative by Arrow Video, Lover’s Lane gets the proper physical media treatment it deserves. This Blu-ray features two versions of the film in both widescreen and full frame aspect ratios, a brand new commentary track, and for the first pressing, a double-sided poster and booklet. This Valentine’s Day-themed slasher would make a great addition to any horror fan’s collection.
Home Video
‘Herencia Diabólica’ – 1993’s “Mexican Child’s Play” Finally Has a Blu-ray Release [Review]
Did you know that there is a Child’s Play-inspired film from Mexico? If you didn’t, you can thank Vinegar Syndrome’s new label Degausser Video for making 1993’s Herencia Diabólica available for the masses to watch. Or at least for the VS hardcore fanbase, Chucky completists and anyone else who needs something like this in their lives.
Director Alfredo Salazar, known for his writing connection to the 70s Santo film series, also serves as the writer here to bring us a film seemingly inspired from the Child’s Play franchise. While it has been recently labeled as the “Mexican Child’s Play” (there’s a special feature on the disc with that very title), the killer doll concept is where the comparison should start and end. Despite having some seeds planted by that franchise, Salazar delivers a story that blossoms into something unique.
Tony (Roberto Guinar) receives a letter informing him that his aunt has died, and he has inherited her estate in Mexico. He quits his job and uproots his life in New York with his wife Annie (Holda Ramírez) to relocate south of the border and move into his new crib. Now I know what you’re thinking, what person just quits their job and drags their wife to another country without having reliable monetary income? Tony does, everyone, Tony does.
And what’s the first thing they do once they arrive in Mexico and check out the estate? They hit the bedroom, naturally. We are treated to a sex scene with an erotica song that feels like a knockoff of “Sadness” by Enigma (remember them?). Sounds fun and all, but the scene takes place completely in the dark and we see absolutely nothing. Maybe that’s why the sexy-time tune was pumping, so we could know what was exactly going down.
While Tony goes on a job interview, Annie explores the estate’s grounds in a tedious chore to experience, going room by room, plodding along. But it does lead us to her discovery of our antagonist—the evil clown doll, Payasito! Of all the things in the house, she decides to bring this monstrosity down to show Tony when he gets home. What an exciting way to celebrate (sic)! Then out of nowhere, she spouts off some exposition about rumors that Tony’s aunt dabbled in the dark arts and now we know where our title Diabolical Inheritance (the English translation for Herencia Diabólica) originates. For those of you who keep score for things like that.
Before proceeding with this review, you really need to visualize what Payasito looks like to truly embrace the rest of the film’s shenanigans. While Chucky resembles a cute ginger child, Payasito resembles a small clown that is much larger in stature than Chucky. That’s because Payasito is performed by an actor (Margarito Esparaza) in clown cosplay whenever he’s on the move (like Mannequin 2), and makes some really horrible facial expressions. Chucky dresses in “Good Guys” overalls and a striped shirt, but Payasito wears a new wave Santa hat while sporting a Sgt. Pepper jacket and Peter Pan tights. As you can now tell, he is quite beautiful.
Back to our story, Payasito begins to spook Annie cerebrally until she becomes unnerved to the point of having a complete mental break down, making her easy prey to eliminate. She dies but the unborn child survives, with Tony believing that her death was caused by her mental instability. Fast forward some years later and the couple’s surviving spawn has grown into child Roy (Alan Fernando), who at this point has already bonded with Payasito to help him over the loss of his mother. Dun-dun-duuunnn!
Meanwhile wealthy Tony remains single, still grieving his late wife, until his blonde assistant Doris encourages him to move on with his life and start seeing other people. And by other people, she naturally means herself. As the old Kanye West song lyric goes, “I ain’t saying she’s a gold digger…”, and it seems that she might be until we learn more about her character. Doris is played by the stunning Lorena Hererra who has an extremely extensive resume in Mexico, and she carries most of the film quite well during the feature’s second half. The singer and former Playboy centerfold for their Mexico edition is by far the most recognizable face in the cast.
Doris and Tony do indeed hookup and she moves into La casa de Herencia, where she does her best to impress Roy and lessen his obsession with the doll. There is a scene where they go to a nearby park without Payasito that is filled with famous fairytale figures, such as Pinocchio, Cinderella and King Kong! What, you didn’t know King Kong is a fairytale? Me neither. But Roy continues to be obsessed with Payasito after their trip, much to Doris’ chagrin.
Her actions to separate him from Roy gets Payasito angry, setting up the film’s most memorable scene. We already know that Payasito is a devil doll like Chucky, but now we learn he also has the power to invade people’s dreams like Freddy Krueger! Does Payasito enter the dream world and concoct a creative way to kill Doris in her sleep? No, he harnesses his power to sexually assault her instead. Yes that actually happens. After she awakens, Doris grabs the doll and tosses him into a lake, only to find him waiting for her by the time she gets back to the house. So now we know he also maintains the ability to “transport” like Jason Voorhees too. This doll is the total package!
More insanity happens before we close out the film with the longest victim chase sequence ever. It makes the previously mentioned painful house search scene seem like an eyeblink. It feels like it’s the film’s entire third act, filled with so much padding that you could soundproof an entire three-story house.
So how’s the transfer? Considering it was created using a mix of VHS and film source elements from 1993, they did one heck of a job! The work they put into it is especially noticeable in the dream invasion sequence, with the pulsing multi-colored psychedelic visuals. Super trippy stuff. Even the film’s score provides a pretty chill vibe, during the times when Payasito isn’t on the prowl.
If anything you read has piqued your interest in the very least, you should give it a shot. But if not, it is best to leave this doll on the shelf.
Herencia Diabólica is now available to purchase at VinegarSyndrome.com.
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