Welcome to the Blu-ray Shopping Bag for The Sci-Fi Movie Page. Each week we will be bringing you all the latest releases in genre titles that we feel you need to know about. We will normally focus on one film in particular that you should pick up. Our obvious choices today are Jurassic World and the Back to the Future box set. There is another film that you have to pick up and it is TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS: DEMON KNIGHT COLLECTOR’S EDITION Blu-ray.
(The weekly releases are below our featured title)
First there was The Twilight Zone. Then came Amazing Stories. The last great anthology of TV series was Tales from the Crypt. The wonder and lessons of both The Twilight Zone and Amazing Stories, was replaced with the gore and comeuppance of Tales from the Crypt. The series, which aired on HBO and was based on the old EC comic books, was a huge hit. Naturally, the powers that be thought a movie franchise of the TV series was the next logical step. They were wrong.
There are a lot of reasons for its failure at the box. The first film, TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS: DEMON KNIGHT, was not a huge hit for the studio. The story itself was more of hero’s tale and not the comeuppance that fans of the show expected. The follow up, TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS: BORDELLO OF BLOOD, was not well received. The third film, ran into troubles with the writer/ producer and was released as its own film. Perhaps you heard of it, From Dusk till Dawn? TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS: DEMON KNIGHT has grown in popularity over the years and it has established its own fan base. Scream Factory has released the film on Blu-ray for the first time. Does it hold up?
Brayker (William Sadler) is on the run. He is being hunted by demons who want a very special key that Brayker was entrusted with years ago. The demons need this key, as well as several others, to unlock a new age of darkness. Leading the demons is a man who is known only as “The Collector” (Billy Zane). Brayker finds himself on his last leg as “The Collector” has cornered him in an old church. Every star that needed to align has and Brayker is left with several unwilling allies to battle the forces of darkness. This is a heroes tale and a morality play. Each one of these unwilling allies has to come to terms with having their deepest fantasy granted or choose to stand up for what is right. Brayker has to make the most with this motley crew work. Only together can they survive demon night.
What really sets Demon Knight apart, from the other trapped in one location horror flicks, is that it establishes a mythology that is easily relatable. The battle of good vs. evil will forever be etched in our mythology. Demon Knight takes its point of origin from the Bible and wraps it in its own tale creating a hero character. The character of Brayker, is the reluctant chosen one. That plot device alone is a powerful fantasy tool for anyone that loves a story of impossible odds.
The Blu-ray itself is loaded with several new special features and a 40 minute, Under Siege: The Making of “Tales From The Crypt presents Demon Knight”. This documentary features new interviews from the cast and crew. Sadly, Jada Pinkett Smith nor Thomas Haden Church chime in with their memories. Demon Knight holds up extremely well. In fact, its cast is perfect. A true credit to all the fine character actors that populate its ranks. Shout! Factory has delivered yet another Criterion Collection worthy release.
TALES FROM THE CRYPT PRESENTS: DEMON KNIGHT Collector’s Edition Special Features:
- NEW Audio Commentary with Director Ernest Dickerson
- NEW Audio Commentary with Special Make-up Effects Creator Todd Masters, Visual Effects Supervisor John Van Vliet, Special Effects CoordinatorThomas Bellissimo, and Demon Performer Walter Phelan
- NEW Under Siege: The Making of “Tales From The Crypt presents Demon Knight” – Featuring interviews with Director Ernest Dickerson, Co-producer A.L. Katz, Screenwriters Ethan Reiff, Cyrus Voris, and Mark Bishop, Stars Billy Zane, William Sadler, Brenda Bakke, Charles Fleischer. John Schuck andDick Miller, Editor Stephen Lovejoy, Special Make-Up Effects Creator Todd Masters, Special Make-Up Effects Artists Scott Coulter and Scott Wheeler, and Demon Performer Walter Phelan (40 minutes)
- Panel Discussion from the American Cinematheque featuring director Ernest Dickerson, actor Dick Miller and Special Effects maestro Rick Baker
- Still Gallery
- Theatrical Trailer
Order Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight here at Shout! Factory.
Order Tales from the Crypt: Bordello of Blood here at Shout! Factory.
Blu-ray and DVD Releases for October 20th, 2015
Anime
Dragon Ball Z – Resurrection ‘F’
Dragon Ball Z – Resurrection ‘F’ – Collector’s Edition
Hayate the Combat Butler: Season 2
Space Brothers: Collection 5
Criterion Collection
Kwaidan
Documentary of Note
Atari: Game Over
Back in Time – Back to the Future Documentary
Holiday Titles
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Horror
I Spit on Your Grave 3: Vengeance is Mine
The Larry Fessenden Collection
Stephen King’s A Good Marriage
Tales From The Crypt Presents: Bordello Of Blood
Tales From The Crypt Presents: Demon Knight
The Oblong Box
The Vatican Tapes
Science Fiction/ Fantasy
Back to the Future: The Complete Adventures – Limited Edition
Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy
Jurassic World
Jurassic Park Collection – All 4 Movies, Including Jurassic World
Rotor Dr1
TV Land
King of the Hill: Season 13
Olympus: Season 1