Displaying items by tag: film
Blaxploitation? No, Bruceploitation!
The Film Detective Presents 40th Anniversary Edition of the
Cult Classic Fist of Fear, Touch of Death on Blu-ray & DVD
Collector’s Set 4K Restoration With Exclusive Special Features
(With Blood-Red, Blu-ray Case), Available March 31st
ROCKPORT, Mass. — March 31, 2020 — For Immediate Release — The Film Detective (TFD), a leading classic media streaming network and film archive that restores classic films for today's cord-cutters, is proud to announce the 40th anniversary edition of the cult classic Fist of Fear, Touch of Death in a special collector’s set.
First presented in 1980 by veteran distributor and producer Terry Levene and director Matthew Mallinson, the action-packed Fist of Fear, Touch of Death premiered as one of the final pieces of the Bruceploitation era.
A subgenre of 1970s cinema, Bruceploitation clung to the box office success of the Bruce Lee legacy after the star’s untimely demise in 1973, utilizing Lee lookalikes and archival footage from the legend himself. Carving a niche within the grindhouse market, Bruceploitation not only appealed to fans of the day, but has generated a cult status in recent years.
True to Bruceploitation fashion, Fist of Fear, Touch of Death features eye-popping combat scenes viewers will have to see to believe, putting the 1979 World Karate Championship at center stage, where martial artists take their shot at eliminating the competition and claiming the title of “successor to the Bruce Lee legacy.”
Using mockumentary-style interviews in the film, hosted by Academy Award-nominee Adolph Caesar, martial arts masters Fred Williamson and Ron Van Clief, among others, emerge from every corner of the martial arts world to give their take on whether any competitor can be deemed worthy of the Bruce Lee legacy.
Lee himself receives top billing in the film, appearing in archival footage dubbed “The Bruce Lee Story,” a chronicle of Lee’s early years partially taken from the 1957 film, Thunderstorm. In the film, a Kung Fu move known as the “Touch of Death” shrouds Lee’s untimely demise in mystery, before returning to the World Karate Championship to watch the new victor claim the title.
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death 2 | Page
Said the film’s star, Fred Williamson, “It was never meant to be a serious martial arts movie. It’s a comedy and satire … a bad movie that was good. Why was it good? It was entertaining, which is, after all, why you make a movie.”
Said Phil Hopkins, founder of The Film Detective, “We are excited to be giving Fist of Fear, Touch of Death the restoration it deserves in honor of its 40th year. Fans of Quentin Tarantino’s recent tribute to Hollywood’s Golden Age, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, are sure to appreciate this grindhouse classic and new, never-before-seen special features.”
A drive-in circuit sensation in 1980, this special 40th anniversary collector’s set is guaranteed to pack a punch with audiences, featuring a blood-red, Blu-ray case and a stunning 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative under exclusive license from the film’s original producers at Aquarius Releasing, Inc.
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL FEATURES: Stars Fred Williamson and Ron Van Clief are reunited for interviews, masterfully produced by Prince Henry Entertainment Group founder Frazier Prince; and producer Terry Levene, director Matthew Mallinson and scriptwriter Ron Harvey give their behind-the-camera take on the film in new interviews conducted by producer and editor Jim Markovic as part of an exclusive, 30-minute featurette, That’s Bruceploitation, by Daniel Griffith from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures. Limited-edition Blu-ray copies will feature a special liner note booklet written by Justin Decloux and Will Sloan, hosts of The Important Cinema Club podcast.
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death is available for purchase on The Film Detective website March 31 in a limited-edition Blu-ray ($24.99) or on DVD ($19.99). With a limited pressing of just 1,500 Blu-rays, this exclusive deal won’t last long. Fans can secure a copy by pre-ordering, beginning March 3, at www.thefilmdetective.com/fist-of-fear
About The Film Detective:
The Film Detective is a leading distributor of restored classic programming, including feature films, television, foreign imports, and documentaries. Launched in 2014, The Film Detective has distributed its extensive library of 3,000+ hours of film on DVD and Blu-ray and through leading broadcast and streaming platforms such as Turner Classic Movies, NBC, EPIX, Pluto TV, Amazon, MeTV, PBS, and more. With a strong focus on increasing the digital reach of its content, The Film Detective has released its classic movie app on web, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. The Film Detective is also available live with a 24/7 linear channel available on Sling, STIRR, and DistroTV. For more information, visit us online at www.TheFilmDetective.com.
Fist of Fear, Touch of Death
The Film Detective
Genre: Action-Adventure
Original Release: 1980 (Color)
Rated: R
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Suggested Retail Price: $24.99 (Blu-ray) / $19.99 (DVD)
Pre-Order Date: March 3, 2020
Release Date: March 31, 2020
UPC Code: 810044711004 (Blu-ray) / 810044710991 (DVD)
Catalog #: FB1006 (Blu-ray) / FD1006 (DVD)
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Throw your own home premiere for TROLLS WORLD TOUR this Friday!
For fun activities, Download the at Home Premiere Party Pack:
The Film Detective Brings the Comfort of Classic Film to Uncertain Times With Movie Marathons Dedicated to Charlie Chaplin, Roger Corman's 94th Birthday & April Fools' Day!
Step Into Spring on the Lighter Side With an Entire Month Dedicated to Classic Comedy
ROCKPORT, Mass. — April 1, 2020 — The Film Detective (TFD), a classic media streaming network and film archive which restores classic films for today's cordcutters, is offering a brief escape from these challenging times with the light-hearted side of classic film and television.
While the theaters may be closed and many confined at home, one thing that offers a bit of respite in times of overwhelming news is the nostalgia of classic film and television.
Beginning April 1, TFD is featuring a collection of classic comics on its live channel and adding more than a dozen comedies to its streaming library of over 1,000 classic film and television titles—and a variety of movie marathons.
April Fools’ Day will showcase the Golden Age’s favorite goofs—including The Three Stooges, Buster Keaton, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and Abbott and Costello—for 24 hours of laughs on Sling, STIRR and DistroTV.
It wouldn’t be a month of classic comedy without Charlie Chaplin, so TFD is honoring the anniversary of The Tramp’s birthday on April 16! Favorites including The Kid (1921) and The Adventurer (1917) will be featured, as well as the tale of Chaplin’s rise to fame in Chaplin’s Art of Comedy (1966), from legendary independent filmmaker Sam Sherman. Chaplin’s birthday will be followed by a weekend-long marathon of comedy, from Friday, April 17, to Sunday, April 19. In times when everyone could use a laugh, no one fits the bill quite like Chaplin and his comedic peers of yesteryear.
Comedy marathons are only part of the events on TFD this month. To celebrate the 94th birthday of iconic film legend, Roger Corman, Sunday, April 5, TFD is featuring a Roger Cor-Marathon from 3:30 p.m.-midnight ET. A Bucket of Blood (1959), The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and more will be featured to the delight of fans. Viewers can also enjoy exclusive commentary on Corman's classics from director Joe Dante and Roger Corman himself in Trailers from Hell videos, available on the TFD app.
A Dog’s Life (1918)
Additionally, in honor of Easter on April 12, TFD will be stocking its streaming app with religious titles from The Cathedral Films Collection and The Loyola Films Collection, courtesy of Vision Video.
For more information on The Film Detective’s April schedule, visit https://www.thefilmdetective.com
About The Film Detective:
The Film Detective (TFD) is a leading distributor of restored classic programming, including feature films, television, foreign imports and documentaries. Launched in 2014, TFD has distributed its extensive library of 3,000+ hours of film on DVD and Blu-ray and through leading broadcast and streaming platforms such as Turner Classic Movies, NBC, EPIX, Pluto TV, Amazon, MeTV, PBS and more. With a strong focus on increasing the digital reach of its content, TFD has released its classic movie app on web, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. TFD is also available live with a 24/7 linear channel available on Sling, STIRR and DistroTV. For more information, visit us at www.TheFilmDetective.com
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“Everything you want from a Star Wars film” —Owen Gleiberman, Variety
OWN THE FINAL FILM IN THE CONCLUSION OF THE SKYWALKER SAGA
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
Over two hours of bonus material includes a feature-length, making-of documentary and behind-the-scenes access to the cast and filmmakers who brought the epic scenes and characters to life
BURBANK, Calif. (Feb. 19, 2020) — Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams’ riveting, inspiring conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, electrified audiences around the globe, earning more than a billion dollars worldwide. Soon fans can complete their collections when Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives digitally in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and via Movies Anywhere on March 17, two weeks before it lands physically in 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on March 31.
Bonus material includes a feature-length, making-of documentary, which goes behind the scenes with the cast and filmmakers from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and explores the legacy of the Skywalker saga. Bonus features also dig into the film’s Pasaana desert scenes, including the thrilling landspeeder chase, and the ship in which Rey discovers family secrets as well as a new little droid named D-O. Plus, fans will hear from Warwick Davis, who reprises his role as Wicket the Ewok, as well as the creature effects team that created a record 584 creatures and droids for the film. Digital consumers will receive an exclusive feature highlighting legendary composer John Williams, who has scored every episode in the Skywalker saga.
Bonus features include*:
- The Skywalker Legacy – The story lives forever in this feature-length documentary that charts the making of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
- Pasaana Pursuit: Creating the Speeder Chase – Dive into the making of the movie’s epic landspeeder chase and discover how this spectacular sequence was brought to the screen.
- Aliens in the Desert – See what it took to create the Pasaana desert scenes, from the sheer scale and complexity of the shoot to its colorful details.
- D-O: Key to the Past – Explore the ship that connects Rey to the mystery of her missing parents and get to know the galaxy’s newest, irresistible droid.
- Warwick & Son – Warwick Davis, who played Wicket in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, dons the Ewok costume once more; this time joined by his son Harrison.
- Cast of Creatures – The team behind the film’s memorable creatures reveal the puppetry, makeup, prosthetics and digital magic that bring them to life!
Digital Exclusive:
- The Maestro’s Finale – Composer John Williams reflects on his body of work for the Star Wars saga and shares insights on scoring Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.
The ninth and final episode in the Skywalker saga welcomed the return of original characters Luke Skywalker, General Leia Organa, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Emperor Palpatine and Lando Calrissian, along with the latest generation of heroes and villains, including Rey, Finn, Poe, BB-8, Maz, Rose, General Hux and Kylo Ren. Newcomers include Jannah, a new ally of the Resistance; Allegiant General Pryde of the First Order; and smuggler Zorii Bliss.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is packaged several ways to ensure fans get the most out of their at-home viewing experience. The Multiscreen Edition includes Blu-ray and a Digital copy, giving viewers the flexibility to watch the film on different devices. Those with 4K Ultra HD capability may opt for a 4K UHD Ultimate Collector’s Edition, including 4K UHD, Blu-ray and a Digital copy. 4K Ultra HD provides four times the resolution of HD paired with fully immersive picture and sound and Dolby Atmos audio, allowing viewers at home to practically feel the Force.
On March 31, coinciding with the physical release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, eight Star Wars films are being released on 4K UHD for the first time: Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS:
FEATURE RUN TIME: Approximately 142 min.
RATING: PG-13 in U.S.; PG in CE; G in CF
ASPECT RATIO: 2.39:1
AUDIO: 4K UHD Blu-ray = English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish 7.1 Dolby Digital Plus
Blu-ray = English 7.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD = English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Descriptive Audio
UHD Digital = English Dolby Atmos (some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
HD Digital = English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
SD Digital = English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English Descriptive Audio 2.0 Dolby Digital (some platforms)
SUBTITLES: 4K UHD Blu-ray = English SDH, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish and French
Blu-ray = English SDH, Spanish and French
DVD = English SDH, Spanish and French
Digital = English SDH, French, Spanish (some platforms)
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Website: https://www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-ix-the-rise-of-skywalker Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/starwars
Twitter: https://twitter.com/starwars
Instagram: http://instagram.com/starwars
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/starwars
ABOUT STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER:
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Naomi Ackie (Jannah), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Richard E. Grant (General Pryde), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Keri Russell (Zorii Bliss), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), with Ian McDiarmid (Emperor Palpatine) and Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian).
The film is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Chris Terrio & J.J. Abrams and the story is by Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow and J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio, based on characters created by George Lucas. Composer John Williams, who has scored every episode in the Skywalker saga since 1977’s Star Wars: A New Hope, returns for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
ABOUT LUCASFILM LTD.
Lucasfilm Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is a global leader in film, television and digital entertainment production. In addition to its motion-picture and television production, the company's activities include visual effects and audio post-production, cutting-edge digital animation, interactive entertainment software, and the management of the global merchandising activities for its entertainment properties including the legendary STAR WARS and INDIANA JONES franchises. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in northern California. Lucasfilm, the Lucasfilm logo, STAR WARS and related properties are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates. ©2020 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
MOVIES ANYWHERE (MA):
Movies Anywhere simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Movies Anywhere brings together the movies from Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Film, Universal Pictures (including DreamWorks and Illumination Entertainment), The Walt Disney Studios (including Disney, Pixar, Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm), and Warner Bros. Participating digital retailers are iTunes. Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and FandangoNOW. Movies Anywhere offers a library of over 7,500 digital movies, including new releases, and will continue to expand the consumer experience as more content providers, digital retailers and platforms are added. Using the free Movies Anywhere app and website, consumers can connect their Movies Anywhere account with participating digital retailers and enjoy their favorite digital movies from the comfort of their living room and across multiple devices and platforms, including Amazon Fire devices; Android devices and Android TV; Apple TV; Chromecast; iPhone, iPad and iPod touch; Roku® devices, Windows 10 and Xbox devices; and popular browsers. Consumers can also redeem digital codes found in eligible Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD packages from participating studios and enjoy them through Movies Anywhere.
ABOUT THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS:
For over 95 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today it brings quality movies, episodic storytelling, music, and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. The Walt Disney Studios encompasses a collection of respected film studios, including Disney, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, and Blue Sky Studios. It is also home to Walt Disney Records, Hollywood Records, and Disney Theatrical Productions, producer of world-class stage shows.
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© 2020 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd.
Movie review written by Jon Patch with 4 out of 4 paws
The Invisible Man
Universal Pictures, Goalpost Pictures, Blumhouse Productions and Dark Universe present an R rated, 124 minute, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Sci-Fi film directed, story and screenplay by Leigh Whannell with a theater release date of February 28, 2020.
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Aquarela
Sony Pictures Classic, Aconite Productions, BFI Film Fund, Danish Documentary Production, Louverture Films and Ma.Ja De Filmproduktion presents a PG, 89 minute, Documentary directed by Victor Kossakovsky, written by Kossakovsky and Aimara Reques with a theater release date of January 28, 2019.
Movie review written by Jillyn Sidlo
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
Loved this movie! It's Funny, Smart and an Inspiring Comedy.
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Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Universal Pictures presents a PG-13, 135 minute, Action, Adventure film, directed by David Leitch with story and screenplay by Chris Morgan with a theater release date of August 2, 2019.
Movie review written by Jon Patch with 2.5 out of 4 paws
The Farewell
A24, Big Beach Films, Depth of Field and Kindred Spirit present a PG, 100 minute, Comedy, Drama, directed and written by Lulu Wang with a theater release date of July 12, 2019.
Movie review written by Jon Patch with 3 out of 4 paws
Annabelle Comes Home
Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, Atomic Monster and RatPac-Dune Entertainment present an R rated, 106 minute, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, directed and written by Gary Dauberman, story by James Wan with a theater release date of June 26, 2019.