Joshua’s Top 25 Blu-ray Releases of 2019

2019 proved to be an amazing year for physical media. So amazing that I added an honorable mentions section to my list. People at work ask me “did you subscribe to Disney+?”, to which I reply “nope, I already own everything by Disney”. I see people complaining about reformatted Simpsons episodes and I’m sitting here knowing that not only can I can watch those Simpsons episodes in 4×3 whenever I feel like it, I can watch the banned Michael Jackson episode whenever I please as well. I have physical media to thank for that. These are my 25 favorite Blu-rays of 2019 that I never have to worry about being censored or altered in the future when ever added to a streaming service.

25. Night of the Creeps (1986)  –  Blu-ray  –  Scream Factory

It’s hard the top the excitement that came to fans 10 years ago when director Fred Dekker announced that Night of the Creeps was finally coming to DVD and Blu-ray for the first (miller) time ever. Sometimes crying out to a major studio on social media or signing an online petition pays off in the end. Sometimes it doesn’t (like True Lies and The Abyss). 10 years seems to be a long enough gap to double dip on this cult favorite with zombies, aliens, and slugs. Not many improvements have been made unfortunately this time around. Scream Factory using the same old transfer. Interviews are nice, but only worth watching maybe once. However, the inclusion of the Theatrical Cut in HD for the first time ever and Horror’s Hollowed Grounds with Sean Clark in the extras is awesome enough to just barely make my list.

 

24. Spookies (1986)  –  Blu-ray  –  Vinegar Syndrome

Here is probably the biggest surprise announcement of the year. I first heard of Spookies a few years back when a gif was posted on Twitter showing some dude stuck in a web getting his blood drained by some giant tarantula thing. .. and it looked awesome. Practical effects galore! I was told that Spookies is an extremely difficult movie to come across and the chances of it ever coming to Blu-ray were slim to none due to legal reasons. This made me want to watch even more. It feels like Vinegar Syndrome made the impossible possible when dropping Spookies on Black Friday. Here is a movie I never thought I would own a copy of because it’s obscure, rare, and legally will probably never see a release in the future. Vinegar Syndrome not only gives us the movie, but presents it with an impressive 4K scan and a wealth of extra features including 2 feature length documentaries.

 

23. Tammy and the T-Rex (1994)  –  4K Ultra HD  –  Vinegar Syndrome

Vinegar Syndrome was on a roll in 2019 and also gave us Tammy and the T-Rex on 4K Ultra HD. Yes. You heard that right. This can only mean one thing. 4K Ultra HD has finally made it. This is without a doubt the most obscure title to hit the format. Curiosity alone about a heavily gory R-rated cut is enough to not only blind buy this, but to take advantage of pre-ordering before Vinegar Syndrome’s Black Friday sale.  Unfortunately, the limited edition 3D lenticular slipcover (designed by Tom Hodge) seen above is no longer available.

 

22. Dead of Night (1945)  –  Blu-ray  –  Kino Lorber

This highly influential classic horror anthology makes it’s way to Blu-ray for the first time ever with a stunning 4K restoration. Championed by director Martin Scorsese as one of the scariest horror movies of all time, Dead of Night is the first horror movie of it’s kind featuring 5 terror tales by 5 different directors, most notably a story about a ventriloquist and his maleviolent dummy. Although light on the extras, this Blu-ray is still a must own for horror hounds to place in their own personal library.

 

21. Polyester (1981)  –  Blu-ray  –  The Criterion Collection

John Waters gets his third title in the Criterion Collection with Polyester, a hilarious, foul smelling (literally), brutally honest look at a crumbling American family. Divine is at her best here as Francine Fishpaw, the wife of pornographic theater owner Elmer Fishpaw, mother of troubled teen Lu-Lu and demented foot-stomper Dexter. Criterion presents Polyester with a new 4K transfer approved by Waters and in glorious ODORAMA, where viewers scratch and sniff a smell card when instructed to do so. Also includes 20 minutes of deleted scenes unearthed from John Waters’ attic and packaged with a foldout poster. I do hope Blu-rays of Pink Flamingos and Desperate Living are planned as well.

 

20. Two Evil Eyes (1990)  –  Blu-ray  –  Blue Underground

Two terror tales from horror masters George A. Romero and Dario Argento based on the work of Edgar Allen Poe. Might not be one of my top favorites from Romero and Argento but still much to appreciate. Great gore effects by Tom Savini in the first segment “The Facts in the Case of Mr. Valdemar”, and Harvey Keitel gives a particularly well done performance in the 2nd story “The Black Cat”. This is a stacked release! 3-Disc set with an excellent new 4K restoration, archival extras, new interviews, an audio commentary, lenticular 3D slipcover, reversible artwork, CD soundtrack, and collectible booklet. Blue Underground kills it, as usual.

 

19. Funny Games (1997)  –  Blu-ray  –  The Criterion Collection

Michael Haneke’s artistic, yet cruel and sadistic home invasion thriller comes to Criterion. It’s well-acted, but disturbing. Smart, yet disgraceful. Strangely philosophical, but mean spirited. It’s not for everyone. And that is why I’m including it on this list. The Blu-ray is a huge upgade from my bare-bones, pixelated, non-anamorphic DVD from Fox Lorber. Now presented in a 2K scan approved by director Haneke in it’s original 5.1 surround audio.

 

18. Alice Sweet Alice (1976)  –  Blu-ray  –  Arrow Video

Here’s a movie I have waited years to finally come to Blu-ray in the United States. Alice, Sweet, Alice (aka Communion) is an underrated and overlooked slasher that borrows inspiration from director Nicolas Roeg and Italian Giallo Cinema. It is also the movie with the film poster that scared the crap out of me as a kid. Arrow Video does good as usual with an impressive 2K restoration from the original camera negative (appears to be much more detailed than the 88 Films release in the UK). Also nice to see the inclusion of the alternate TV cut titled “Holy Terror”.

 

17. An American Werewolf In London (1981)  –  Blu-ray  –  Arrow Video

This marks the 3rd official U.S. Blu-ray release of the beloved fan favorite from director John Landis, and is easily the definitive edition to own. Previous editions offered an image that was either too scrubbed of detail or over-sharpened. The transfer here was approved by Landis and fairs much better with more detail and healthy film grain. The most exciting addition is the inclusion of the original mono audio track in DTS-HD with all original sound effects. After doing some research, this is the first time this track has been made available since the VHS days. The set is packaged in a hard box containing all previously released extras, reversible sleeve, lobby cards, double-sided poster, and a 60-page booklet.

 

16. Do The Right Thing (1989)  –  Blu-ray  –  The Criterion Collection

One of AFI’s Top 100 Greatest American Movies, Do the Right Thing is a passionate, powerful, and inspirational piece of film-making. I believe it was Driving Miss Daisy that took home the Oscar for Best Picture in 1989. Yet, Do the Right Thing is the movie I studied in film classes and is regarded as one of the all time greats. I hate when that happens. Criterion released this Spike Lee Joint on DVD back in 2001, but it was time for an upgrade. For it’s 30th Anniversary, Do the Right Thing comes boxed with 2 Blu-ray discs, all previously released Criterion extras, a new 4K digital transfer approved by director Lee, and a 110-page booklet. Fight The Power!

 

15. Suspiria (1977)  –  4K Ultra HD  –  Synapse Films

2 years after Synapse laid their glory on us with their 3-Disc Limited Edition steelbook of Suspiria, we now get the upgrade. There are 2 big improvements made here on the 4K Ultra HD release over the already amazing Synapse Blu-ray. The inclusion of a High Dynamic Rage image, and a Dolby Atmos audio track. Colors pop even brighter in several cases and the overall image looks more film-like than before exposing more fine detail. The Atmos audio is a beast. Be prepared to have your insides rumble. To put it simply.. it’s LOUD. Synapse always does an amazing job and have outdone themselves once again.

 

14. Robocop (1987)  –  Blu-ray  –  Arrow Video

Yes, another Blu-ray release of Robocop. There were a few things I was expecting when Arrow hinted that a new Robocop release was coming. Could it be Arrow’s first 4K Ultra HD release? Will we get the director’s intended 1:66:1 ratio? Lossless 4.0 audio? Will the Theatrical Cut be included? What about the TV cut with the alternate scenes and hilarious line changes? We did get a few of those things. I think expectations were a little high, but this IS probably the 900th release of this cult favorite. We did get that Theatrical Cut in HD that fans asked for, plus lossless 4.0 audio, the TV version in HD, a compilation of alternate TV scenes. Sweet hard box packaging with artwork by Paul Shipper, included is a double sided poster, reversible sleeve, lobby cards, bumper sticker, and an 80-page book. I still think we’re not far from 4K Ultra HD release in the near future, but.. look at that box, those extras, that artwork. I just can’t say no to Arrow Video and Robocop.

 

13. Waterworld (1995)  –  Blu-ray  –  Arrow Video

The Mad Max on water, critically panned, box-office flop gets the Ultimate Edition treatment. Waterworld has always been a guilty pleasure for me. It’s not a perfect film but is the closest you can get to the definition of “turn your brain off fun” without any involvement from Michael Bay. The inclusion of the full 3 hour Ulysses Cut in HD alone should color you curious about giving the movie a blind buy or a second look. I did find the longer cut to be significantly improved over the Theatrical Cut. Universal put out their own 4K Ultra HD release this year, but after looking at image comparisons online, I’m glad I skipped that. Always best to check reviews first. Arrow Video’s packaging is flawless, 3 cuts of the film to satisfy completists, and the presentation puts the almighty Universal Studio’s 4K release to shame.

 

12. Police Story (1985)  /  Police Story 2 (1988)  –  Blu-ray  –  The Criterion Collection

With an abundance of jaw-dropping stunts and large scale action scenes, Police Story is one of the top greatest action movies ever. It holds a perfect blend of both comedy and action, in even some cases using well choreographed stunts to deliver on a clever joke. This was a first time watch for me, and I was in awe with Jackie Chan. Having only ever seen Rush Hour and Rumble In the Bronx (yes I know, I’ll get to more Chan flicks in 2020), I feel I never fully appreciated or understood Chan’s skill and dedication for what he does, until now. Criterion gives us both Police Story and Police Story 2 restored in 4K and features an excellent assortment of bonuses including an episode of “Son of the Incredibly Strange Film Show”. Will we see Supercop (1992) get a Criterion Blu-ray soon? They did release it on laserdisc.

 

11. The Street Fighter Collection (1974)  –  Blu-ray  –  Shout Factory

2019 is the year I finally retired my non-animorphic DVD of The Street Fighter. This badass, bone-crushing, even hilarious martial arts favorite never had such a great history on home video here in the U.S. until now. Shout Factory rolls all 3 Chiba Street Fighter films into one set now with presentable transfers. There’s not many extra features added here, but I’m just thankful for new transfers cause those DVDs were terrible.

 

10. Dog Soldiers (2002)  –  4K Ultra HD  –  Koch Media

The disappointment in the picture quality of Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release of Neil Marshall’s werewolf action extravaganza left fans hungry for something more satisfying. I read the excuses and I just wasn’t buying it. Koch Media in Germany started over from scratch to deliver a transfer with significant improvements in every area over previous transfers. We now have a detailed, film like image without an abundance of contrast and print damage. Although this is not one of the best 4K Ultra HD images I’ve seen, it’s definitely the best this movie has looked. You can tell Koch put in a ton of effort and hard work here. I’m calling it now. A re-release of Dog Soldiers with a 4K transfer by Scream Factory in a fancy steelbook. They just should have gotten it right the first time.

 

9. Apocalypse Now (1979)  –  4K Ultra HD  –  Lionsgate

Apocalypse Now is nothing short of a masterpiece. Not only is it one of the greatest war movies ever made, but one of the greatest movies ever made period. It was tough deciding to part with the 3-Disc Full Disclosure digipack Lionsgate released in 2010 (still a great release), but the addition of a brand new Final Cut in glorious 4K sold me instantly. Packaged in an attractive box with 8 discs, this release includes 3 cuts of the film, all extras from the previous Blu-ray, a new introduction for the Final Cut with Francis Ford Coppola, and the Oscar winning documentary Hearts of Darkness. With a price-tag I’m already seeing for as low as $12.99(!!), this is a steal!

 

8. Opera (1987)  –  Blu-ray  –  Scorpion Releasing

Opera came to Blu-ray early last year, but I decided to pass on it when rumors swirled of a Deluxe Edition planned for the near future. I made the right decision in waiting. Opera has been upgraded from a single disc release to a 3 disc set with 2 audio commentaries, loads of interviews, 2 aspect ratio options, 2 cuts of the film, and the Cannes English Dub audio option. A must own for you completists out there. The attractive slipcover, poster, reversible artwork, and limited online exclusive magnet is also a nice touch.

 

7. Dust Devil (1992)  –  Blu-ray  –  Koch Media

The 2nd feature length movie from the guy who kinda gave us The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) finally comes to Blu-ray… in Germany. I might not be from Germany, but I do know that Koch Media handles films well. This Limited Collector’s Edition Box is 5 discs total (1 Blu-ray + 3 DVDs + 1 CD) including 3 cuts of the film, 3 documentaries, 1 commentary track, a CD soundtrack, interviews, home movies, the full length workprint, and a 24 page booklet. Finding a set similar to this one in the U.S. is available on DVD only by Subversive Cinema and goes for a hefty price.

 

6. The Ringu Collection (1998 – 2000)  –  Blu-ray  –  Arrow Video

Here it is. The series that started the wave of horror remakes, sequels, knock-offs, prequels, requels, remakes of remakes, remakes of remakes of remakes, seamakes, reboots, reboots of sequels, and sequels of reboots. Ringu changed horror, for better or worse. Being honest, I don’t find any of the Ringu movies to be particularly great. The first movie is pretty good.. but the remake is better (*runs away). But for those of you who ARE fans (like my wife), the Ringu Collection from Arrow Video is a no brainer. 3 Discs packaged in a hard box with 4 movies; Ringu (1998), Ringu 2 (1999), Ringu 0 (2000) plus a bonus movie Spiral (1998), the original “lost” sequel to the first Ringu. The set is also filled with extras, commentaries, and a 60-page booklet.

 

5. The Omen Collection (1976 – 2006)  –  Blu-ray  –  Scream Factory

If you made it this far on my list, let me give you a small spoiler. The Fly Collection released this year by Scream Factory didn’t make my top list, and for 1 very good reason. No new transfers. The Omen Collection by Scream Factory supplies a new 4K transfer of the original 1976 classic approved by director Richard Donner, and the addition of Omen IV: The Awakening in HD for the first time ever. Fox released an Omen set in 2008 without the 4th movie, so I’m happy we finally got an Omen set that feels complete. My only complaint, why no booklet in this box?

 

4. Universal Horror Collection (Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3)  –  Blu-ray  –  Scream Factory

I’m cheating here a bit since this is 3 different releases tied at the #4 spot. It was first announced as the Boris Karloff / Bela Lugosi Collection with The Black Cat (1934), The Raven, The Invisible Ray, and Black Friday. Due to legal reasons, the name of the set was changed to the Universal Horror Collection… Volume 1. Clever. Scream Factory took that negative and turned it into a positive by also giving us a Volume 2 with Murders In the Zoo, The Mad Ghoul, The Mad Doctor of Market Street, and The Strange Case of Doctor Rx; and Volume 3 with Tower of London, Man Made Monster, Horror Island, and The Black Cat (1941). Volume 4 will by released in March of 2020. These sets are great additions to go with your Universal Classic Monster Collection release from last year. Volume 1 comes highly recommended for The Black Cat (1934) and The Raven especially. Two absolute classics and must owns for any horror buff.

 

3. Macabre Visions: The Films of Mario Bava  –  Blu-ray  –  Arrow Video

9 discs with 9 movies in this set. Arrow Video brings us Mario Bava when he was at the peak of his popularity and at his creative best. This thick green box is stacked as you probably would expect. Multiple cuts of each movie, numerous interviews, documentaries, commentaries, dubbed audio options, with each disc stored in a book-like packaging, includes an 80-page hardcover book filled with great essays. I do wonder why Bava’s Blood and Black Lace is absent from this set. It’s also a bummer that the only region free disc is A Bay of Blood. Still, an amazing collection.

Features include: Black Sunday (1960), The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963), Black Sabbath (1963), Kill, Baby.. Kill! (1966), Five Dolls For An August Moon (1970), A Bay of Blood (1971), Baron Blood (1972), Lisa and the Devil (1973), Rabid Dogs (1974)

 

2. Godzilla: The Showa-Era Films (1954 – 1975)  –  Blu-ray  –  The Criterion Collection

Criterion’s #1000 announcement was nothing short of epic. A 15 movie Godzilla set that spans the years of 1954 – 1975 together for the first time and all in high definition. This set cleared all remaining Godzilla features that had been sitting in my wishlist for years. We knew a Godzilla set was coming, and when that announcement dropped, collectors and fans still went crazy. It was also nice that the Blu-ray released just in time for Barnes & Noble’s semi-annual 50% off Criterion sale. This was definitely the time to take advantage of that. 8 Discs with a wealth of extras all packaged in a large 40-page book. Only thing keeping this set from taking my #1 spot is the exclusion of the American Cuts of many of the features, particularly Mothra vs. Godzilla.

Features include: Godzilla (1954) (American / Japanese Versions), Godzilla Raids Again (1955), King Kong vs Godzilla (1963) (American / Japanese Versions), Mothra vs Godzilla (1964), Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster (1964), Invasion of the Astro-Monster (1965), Ebirah, Horror of the Deep (1966), Son of Godzilla (1967), Destroy All Monsters (1968), All Monsters Attack (1969), Godzilla vs Hedorah (1971), Godzilla vs Gigan (1972), Godzilla vs Megalon (1973), Godzilla vs Mechagodzilla (1974), Terror of Mechagodzilla (1975).

 

1. Psycho: Legacy Collection  –  Blu-ray  –  Turbine Median

This unholy motherload of a box set was released in Germany and limited to only 3,636 units. Includes Psycho (1960), Psycho (1960) with German text inserts, Psycho II (1983), Psycho III (1986), Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990), Psycho (1998) (skip it), Bates Motel (1987), Psycho Legacy (2010), 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene (2017), over 15 hours worth of extra features, 7 total commentary tracks, retro 4×3 versions in standard definition for completists, a large 120 page hardback book titled “The Psycho Files” by Tobias Hohmann (in German), 5 Posters, 6 art cards, a replica of Sam Loomis’ Letter,  25 sheets of “Bates Motel” notepaper, and a “Do Not Disturb” door hanger. All this is packaged in a large hard box that weighs about 12 pounds.

The biggest reason to own this set is for the inclusion of the original Psycho which is presented UNCUT for the very first time with missing scenes scanned and restored in HD from a German 35mm print. The added material totals to less than 1 minute, but for fans this is very exciting news. The set retails for close to $200 but a much more affordable non limited edition release is also available with less perks. It should also be noted that all discs are region free!

 

Honorable Mentions

Viy (1967) – Severin Films – This likely would have made my top list, but I just didn’t get the Blu-ray in time. Forgive me.

The House of Hitchcock – Universal – 18 Film Set in the UK. Great if you don’t already own these movies. But uses the same transfers and is pretty expensive.

Alien (1979) – 4K Ultra HD – Fox – I’m sure we’ll get a 4K box somewhere down the line.

Abbott & Costello: The Complete Universal Pictures Collection – Shout Factory – I had a wedding to pay for. Maybe for my birthday.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus The Complete Series – Network – Same excuse.

The Phantasm Sphere Collection – Well GO USA – Uncut 4K Phantasm II sounds awesome, but it’s not $100+ awesome.

Rebecca (1946) – Criterion

The Harder They Come (1972) – Shout Factory

The Thing From Another World (1951) – Warner Archive

FM (1978) – Arrow Video

Blue Velvet (1986) – Criterion

A Bucket of Blood (1959) – Olive Films