Thants

The exact scenario was I had Vinegar Syndrome on my mind all these days, kept thinking about it, kept learning about more of their movies, and I considered impulse buying Blood Theatre/The Visitants, since the former is set in a movie theater and whatnot, and I'm a movie person, but then when I decided I was going to make another purchase I decided to evaluate the circumstance, in order to determine if Blood Theatre was the proper decision, and not only is Blood Theatre apparently not good but also Paff you had made that list of your favorites, and I had discovered Snapchat from your list, so it was a combination of that list and the low inventory that led me to the decision to purchase Snapchat. It doesn't matter to me if the inventory will change since the recommendation remains the same.

The truth is I don't regret any of the purchases and the only problem is the movies I still haven't purchased.

randian

When does Indicator do sales? Are they store-wide or only a select few items? What are their shipping costs like to the US?

Brian T

Small Vinegar Syndrome order this year, mainly because I’ve literally run out of VS stuff to buy (and most of the porn isn’t high priority). I probably should’ve skipped Gialli Volume Two since it’ll be as cheap in the next sale as Volume One was in this sale, and I doubt any of the films are undiscovered classics.

Forgotten Gialli Volume One - $34.99
Forgotten Gialli Volume Two - $54.99
Silent Madness - $29.99
The Violent Years (AGFA) - $23.99
Satanis: The Devil’s Mass (AGFA) - $21.99

Similar to those who snap up VS titles at the last minute, I bought those last two before they ran out, although I suspect they’ll be reprinted. I could swear I already have Violent Years here somewhere in my mountains of unwatched discs, but I couldn’t find a receipt in my emails and was too pressed to go through the totes. If I bought a double, so be it. Even worse was Satanis. After placing the order and rummaging through a couple of totes for Violent Years, I discovered my unwatched Something Weird DVD of Satanis. So I watched it; it’s interesting but not something I really needed to upgrade to Blu. However, I’ve heard wild things about the different co-feature on the AGFA disc, so it could be a keeper after all. That’s the joy of VS, I suppose.

Other orders this year:

SEVERIN

Didn’t bother with any of their new releases as I thought the whole lot was rather anemic (and hopefully anomalous).

Picked up three that i held off on during the last sale because I figured they wouldn’t sell out back then:

The Strange Vice of Mrs. Wardh [2-Disc LE Blu-ray] - $17.49
Horrors of Spider Island [Blu-ray w/Slipcover] - $17.49
Satan’s Slave (DVD) - $9.99

Also got the Spider Island and Mrs. Wardh photo books to make my own special editions.

Really stocked up on the close out Blus and DVDs. Already bought (and in some cases, sold) nearly all of them on Blu during previous sales back in the day, but flipping these (over time) will balance out some of the earlier expense.

WARNER ARCHIVE

4/$44:
Hans Christian Andersen
36 Hours
Million Dollar Mermaid
Romance On The High Seas

Sale Titles:
Superman Extended + Special Edition - $13.19
Film Noir 4-Film Collection - $23.99
That’s Entertainment Collection - $14.99
Space Ghost Complete Series - $14.99

Also bought a bunch of cheap anime sets from Sentai Film Works, but I’ll forego listing them since I usually regret buying series sets. I’m a huge fan of the better anime movies, but usually tire of the repetitive nature of the series and end up focusing on the artwork.

Thants

I'm also into Satan stuff obviously, since I bought Lucifer's Women, which is "a slow burn study in satanic obsession, with black mass scenes supervised by Anton LaVey (founder of the Church of Satan)." Mondo Macabro just put out Seven Women for Satan, too. when Satan makes people feel sexy that's great in my opinion

Hans Christian Andersen is a movie I like because Hans moves from his hometown to the city, but in the city he embarrasses himself, and returns home, but it's a positive musical the entire time. I appreciate how what would otherwise be a heavy story feels so light. and it has a dance scene in direct competition with The Red Shoes

I'm just talking about these things. AGFA titles can also be purchased from their website. The Violent Years is cool. it's not exactly surprising but it's cool.

SterlingBen

Received my Epic Pictures order today. Recommend against their slip cover add ons. They are bottom of the barrel paper thin slips and not worth the extra $5. Although really why am I buying slip covers at all?

Thants

oh it does link to Vinegar now

my Vinegar Black Friday order arrived without its tracking number ever going through

I watched Justine: 'A Matter of Innocence' and I'm feeling more excited about my hardcore enterprise. there's sex in it but it's just a movie

I watched Snapshot and that was a good recommendation, Paff, thanks. the ending is maybe so-so but the ending is just a moment and really the whole buildup is great, I think, and I was such a fan of the score. and Vinegar really does do these excellent transfers, great picture quality

Paff

Glad you dug it, man. I just watched it a couple of weeks ago (after Hugh "Toecutter/Immortan Joe" Keays-Byren passed), and you're right; the ending is a bit of a letdown, but other than that it's a very well-acted and shot movie. I still feel bad for anyone who was suckered into watching it thinking it was a Halloween sequel, but on its own it's a great character study. I also love how in amongst all the photos taken of the shivering uncomfortable model during the photo shoot, there was that one brief moment that was so artistic.

You mentioned Lucifer's Women. I got through about an hour of that and was just lulled into sleep it was that dull. Did you like that one? I honestly bought it more for the Paul Thomas interview, how he went from singing and dancing (he was Peter in the 1973 film version of Jesus Christ Superstar) to an extremely prolific porn career (actually, I've seen some of his movies. I can think of a BIG reason he chose the latter genre).

Bringing this back to the Black Friday sale. I just got my second shipping notification, but no deliveries yet. Oddly, I selected media mail (I see no point in bumping up shipping speed a few days, when it takes weeks for them to ship out in the first place) and did the "add to my existing order" for additions. The first order was was sent USPS, second was sent FedEx. People on other VS forums are complaining about the "missing" orders since they're breaking them up into multiple shipments, but it looks like VS is springing for the extra shipping (I was only charged for shipping once), so they go down in my Cool Book for that.

Paul_SD

I bought this many sales back, but still haven't watched it yet.

I have, however, just recently purchased this set and given it plenty of play since.The first Brian May soundtrack(s) I've owned. I liked 'em so much I quickly popped for the solo release of Patrick as well. Great stuff.

Paff

I only recently learned that Brian May the composer is not Brian May from Queen.

Thants

ah that's cool about Brian May. he's connected together for me now. yeah what a treat he is

I got really into it but I suppose it's rather absurd. all that sideshow culture (the deaf/dumb magician Bobo) and the satanism and sex and drugs, with a fully coherent narrative. like with Snapshot the ending is a bit of a dud but likewise everything up to it was well done imo

walletboyniac

I placed an order with VS on Black Friday specifically to get the cool Nightmare Sisters slip. Got a movie to round out the order a little (and not have to pay $13 just for a slipcover). Would've ordered more if I had the spare $$$. I'm not even a nut for slipcovers, but the VS ones tend to be real nice.

I don't know, I thought a lot of their prices were crazy for a Black Friday sale. I'm not paying $30 for a blind buy sub-B movie (granted they have some great stuff, but it can be dicey as well). I think Arrow resurrects the more interesting slashers, although VS did do Demon Wind (with lenticular slip), which is one of my favorites.

Paff

Yeah, I'll never do the Vinegar Syndrome "subscription". Too many misses in their output. Hell, as it is I cherry pick the catalog for titles that get good reviews, but they're almost all blind buys and I've gotten more than a few duds anyway.

I do like them for churning out some real gems amongst the schlock though. Movies like Snapshot, Sudden Fury, Malibu High, Pigs, and especially Deadline weren't even close to my radar, and they're all excellent films.

walletboyniac

Yeah, they roll out the red carpet for some real turds. Failed to mention, though, they also did There's Nothing Out There, which was "meta" before that was a thing. Highly recommended if you're into self-referential horror.

Adam Tyner

And despite that — or maybe because of that? — I’m more likely to watch VinSyn’s extras than any other label. The stories behind movies this off the wall can’t help but be more fascinating than usual.

I love Vinegar Syndrome to pieces, but I don’t think I’m cut out for a subscription either. I’ve been following them since near the beginning but have only just started buying the full month sets. I’ve loved the hell out of November so far, but October didn’t do much for me. (Loved Dial Code: Santa Claus, liked Whodunit?, and everything else was...yeah.)

I’ll definitely keep supporting them, but there’s no harm in being choosy. Not that anyone looking at what I buy from them would ever believe that I’m being selective.

walletboyniac

I think Spookies is a prime example of this. Fairly crappy movie (well, the original half had potential), but a fascinating story behind it. Originally made under the name Twisted Souls, and produced by VIPCO founder Michael Lee. Lee was not happy with the results, so everyone was either fired or quit, and he set out to complete/remake the film with all new people. The results are disastrous! There are two feature-length documentaries on the disc, one real bitter one from the original creative team, the other is a sort of tribute/history of the VIPCO label, AND its undoing, in Lee's own mental/money-grubbing words!

Paff

Use code OCONNELL to get an additional $10.99 off the 3-disc box set of I Spit on Your Grave from Ronin Flix. https://roninflix.com/

It includes the original movie, the sequel Deja Vu, and a feature length documentary.

As uncomfortable a movie it is to watch, I do....appreciate it (I used that word because "enjoy" just somehow seems wrong). $60 was a bit much though, I was thinking I'd bite on it at $40. The coupon didn't get it quite that low, but I pulled the trigger on it anyway.

Captsmee.00

Hmm...special editions of I spit on your grave and haunt?? Do I need them? 🤔

Thants

I think they need you.

Brian T

Keep in mind that Zarchi’s sequel is pretty dreadful. All three of the films in the remake/reboot trilogy are infinitely better, even though they’re far from classics. 😉

Brian T

Received my Vinegar Syndrome order today, shipped from WITHIN Canada, as noted a while back. I figured they might have struck some deal with Unobstructed View up here, but the package actually came from an entity called “BPT Film Group” based in York (part of Toronto) in what appears to be an industrial unit rental building called ‘Spaceworks’. I’m intrigued as to who’s behind this. I like their business model so far, which allows us Canadians to partake in the VinSyn sale and get the same discounts as our American pals while enjoying cheap shipping ($10) and no border concerns. I can think of one person who might be involved because he’s participated in some VS bonus content and presumably other behind-the-scenes work – and his usual TIFF gig has dried up for now – but otherwise it’s a mystery operation.

I am hopeful, though, that if it works out other U.S. boutique labels might follow suit in allowing Canadians access to American-grade discounts during their sales while having the orders ship from our home turf.

Captsmee.00

I feel like they might! 😂 Seems steep price wise though

Paff

Yeah, I've heard that, but I still need to see it anyway. And the rest of the extras on the original film interest me as well. From all I've heard though, I'll probably only watch the sequel once.

I didn't care for the first and third of the remake trilogy; the first movie, the true "remake" really missed the point of the original; she disappears after the rape scene and doesn't come back till the revenge. In the original, we see how much it affected her, and why her revenge was not just getting back at the creeps who did it to her, but to make her feel like a person again. But I actually liked the second (as much as one can "like" a ISOYG film). The Eastern Europe setting made it seem more plausible, the actress was drop-dead gorgeous, and I really was interested in her recovery from the ordeal, set in the tunnels. I do wish those films had been included in this box set. I mean, for $70, they should be! (or even at $49 with all the discounts applied)

PhantomStranger

Ronin Flix did a bang-up job on the original I Spit On Your Grave. The box set looks fantastic in person with a chipboard slipcase. It includes a wonderful documentary with rare home clips by Zarchi's son.

https://www.doblu.com/2020/11/25/i-s...lu-ray-review/

The less said about the recent sequel, the better. Probably the worst film I watched this year. Consider it a free bonus in the set. I actually recommend skipping it as serious viewing and only watch it for the fantastic commentary by Joe Bob Briggs, who actually appears in the movie.

https://www.doblu.com/2020/11/25/i-s...lu-ray-review/

Paff

That's good to know. I ordered it earlier this week, should be here right after X-mas. I had the "Millenium Edition" DVD from Elite, and that was still a great version with the commentaries by Zarchi and Joe Bob. Zarchi's commentary was less a "watch it and talk about it" and more of a series of prepared essays he read while the film plays in the background. Especially harrowing is the part where he talks about his inspiration for the film, when he happened upon a woman who'd just been raped in a park and the dehumanizing experience when bringing her to the police.

EDIT: My copy arrived, and "bang-up job" is an understatement. Whether or not I Spit on Your Grave deserves a special edition is up for debate, but this is an amazing package with all that's included. Almost makes the $50 price tag worth it. Almost.

Captsmee.00

Just watched Severin’s Tales of the Uncanny. Great feature on anthology titles. Haven’t watched the extra features yet but they look great. This BF was HUGE for me with my first VCI, VS, Severin & Grindhouse BF sale orders in addition to my usual Hamilton Books orders. Lots of new discoveries for me