Pop Culture Roundup: Costume Ideas! Vision! Stevie Wonder! More!


ITEM! 
"Buffy" star Allyson Hannigan spotted a great Halloween costume idea.

ITEM! Disney is planning a "Vision" spin-off series.

ITEM! The New York Times takes a look back at Stevie Wonder's groundbreaking Talking Book LP, released 50 years ago. 

ITEM! Dolly Parton is trying to reunite half of Led Zeppelin.

ITEM! Neil Gaiman and George R.R. Martin grouse about Hollywood changing their stuff.


Pop Pic: Elke Sommer

New on Video: "Hunchback Of Notre Dame" 1923 Special Edition


Order now from Amazon.

Details:

SPECIAL EDITION BLU-RAY FEATURES Limited Edition O-Card Slipcase (First print-run of 2000 copies only) 1080p presentation on Blu-ray from a 4K restoration conducted by Universal Pictures Music by Nora Kroll-Rosenbaum & Laura Karpman (presented in uncompressed LPCM stereo) Brand new audio commentary with author Stephen Jones and author / critic Kim Newman Brand new interview with author / critic Kim Newman on the many adaptations of Victor Hugo's novel Brand new interview with film historian Jonathan Rigby PLUS: A collector's booklet featuring a new essay by journalist Philip Kemp, illustrated with archival imagery. 

The heart-rending take on the classic book, with a legendary performance by Lon Chaney. Eureka Entertainment to release THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, the million-dollar super-production of Victor Hugo's famous novel, starring Lon Chaney. 

On Blu-ray for the first time ever in the UK as a part of The Masters of Cinema Series, presented from a 4K restoration. Available from 17 October 2022, the first print-run of 2000 copies will feature a Limited-Edition O-card Slipcase. 

Perhaps the grandest of Universal's silent films-and featuring arguably it's first iconic movie monster-The Hunchback of Notre Dame stars Lon Chaney in the role which transformed him from a respected character actor to a global superstar. 

Chaney stars as Quasimodo, the mocked and vilified bell-ringer of Notre Dame who selflessly protects the star-crossed street performer Esmerelda (Patsy Ruth Miller), who is in an ill-fated love affair with the dashing Captain Phoebus (Norman Kerry). 

A "Super Jewel" adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel, Universal spared no expense on this lavish production, and were rewarded with the most financially successful silent film they had released up to that point. Lon Chaney's performance and make-up work are already legendary, but the rest of the film is as deserving of praise - a beautiful nightmare now fully restored in 4K and making it's UK debut on Blu-ray as part of the Masters of Cinema series.

New Music Releases Out Today: Beatles! King Crimson! Jurassic Classics!

Our picks this week. Click the links to order from Amazon and help support PCS!








Watch the Supremes Perform 'I Guess I'll Miss the Man'

Pop Pics: Mr. French!

Watch the First Trailer for Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special"

New Comics Collected Editions: Tomb of Dracula! Miracleman Omnibus!

Our picks this week. Click the links to order from Amazon and help support PCS! 

Back from the grave! When a group of tourists find Dracula’s skeleton in Transylvania, one among them does the unthinkable — removing the blade that killed him, and bringing the Lord of the Vampires to unlife once more! But what is Florence Ebers’ game — and what is the secret of her mystical gem? As Dracula’s trail of blood begins anew, he is confounded by the Dimensional Man, manipulated by a mysterious child, and faces a painful reunion with his dark daughter Lilith — who is determined to slay him once again! Plus, tales from Vlad Tepes’s centuries-long past are revealed…and when Doctor Strange faces Dracula over the tome of terror known as the Darkhold, will it mean final defeat for the world’s vampires?
    COLLECTING: Tomb of Dracula Magazine (1979) 1-6, Doctor Strange (1974) 58-62, material from Bizarre Adventures (1981) 33

Middle-aged reporter Michael Moran always knew he was meant for something more. When an unexpected series of events leads him to reclaim his destiny, Miracleman is reborn! But Miracleman’s return threatens to unravel Moran’s life. Their connections to Dr. Emil Gargunza and Project Zarathustra bring with them disturbing revelations and trigger the return of a childhood friend who, beneath his sinister smile, has become something terrifying. Pushing the concept of the super hero to its logical conclusion, MIRACLEMAN is nothing short of a revelation. The series reinvented the super hero and 40 years later stands as one of the influential works in the comic book artform. This first-ever Omnibus edition collects MIRACLEMAN BOOKS ONE through THREE, complete with a massive trove of covers, original artwork and rare features.
    COLLECTING: Warrior (1982) 1-18, 20-21; Miracleman (1985) 1, 3, 6-16; Marvelman Special (1984) 1; A1 (1989) 1 [as presented in Miracleman (2014) 1-16]; All-New Miracleman Annual (2014) 1

Watch Mouth and MacNeal Perform 'Hey, You Love'

Watch Al Green Perform 'You Ought to Be With Me'

New on Video: "The Bat" Special Edition - Starring Vincent Price


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Details:

The predator has steel claws and rips his victims to shreds! But who is he? Vincent Price (House of Wax, The Last Man on Earth), stars in this thriller about a down­trodden country estate that becomes the site of a horrific murder. Prolific writer/director Crane Wilbur (He Walked by Night, Crime Wave) helms this feature, with a cast that includes Agnes Moorehead (Bewitched) Gavin Gordon (Murder by Invitation) and in her last film role, Darla Hood of the Our Gang comedies. This gallery of weirdoes is guaranteed to give you the creeps. Which of them is the mysterious killer known as "The Bat?" You'll find out soon enough. But beware - the scream you hear may be your own!

SPECIAL FEATURES

  • Commentary by Professor and Film Scholar, Jason A. Ney
  • Full Color Booklet with essay by Professor and Film Scholar, Jason A. Ney
  • Original featurette by Ballyhoo Motion Pictures on Director: Crane Wilbur

Pop Culture Roundup: Doctor Who! Superman! Black Widow!


ITEM!
Sadly, Tom Baker was one of the few remaining "Doctor Who" who didn't make it to the latest reunion.

ITEM! Meanwhile, the 1996 "Doctor Who" TV film nearly did away with the TARDIS.

ITEM! DC Comics is getting into those stupid NFT things.

ITEM! Henry Cavill is returning as Superman

ITEM! Florence Pugh will return as the Black Widow's sister, Yelena Belova, in Marvel's "Thunderbolts" movie.

Pop Pic: Mod Squad!

New on Video: "Ghostwatch" - Cult 1992 TV Film that Fooled a Nation


Presented as a documentary on Halloween 1992, "Ghost Watch" was actually a scripted film presented as a live documentary broadcast. Much like Orson Welles' 1938 "War of the Worlds," those tuning in thought the broadcast was "real."

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Details:

BANNED FOR A DECADE!

The BBC gives over a whole evening to an 'investigation into the supernatural'. Four respected presenters and a camera crew attempt to discover the truth behind 'The most haunted house in Britain', expecting a light-hearted scare or two and probably the uncovering of a hoax. They think they are in control of the situation. They think they are safe. The viewers settle down and decide to watch 'for a laugh'. Ninety minutes later the BBC, and the country, was changed, and the consequences are still felt today.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

  • NEW! 30th Anniversary feature length documentary
  • NEW! Audio Commentary with film historians Dr. Shellie McMurdo (University of Hertfordshire/University of Roehampton) and Dr. Stella Gaynor (University of Salford)
  • Archival commentary with writer Stephen Volk, producer Ruth Baumgarten and director Lesley Manning
  • 'Shooting Reality' featurette by Lesley Manning

New on Video: "The Count Yorga Collection"


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Details: 

By the end of the 1960s the boom in Old World gothic horror had begun to wane in the face of present day terrors like the Vietnam war. In response, American filmmakers brought horror out of the past and into the present, and the classic movie monsters packed their bags and headed for the New World.

"Count Yorga, Vampire" was among the first to successfully transpose the classic vampire, cloak and all, to a modern day setting as the Count – played unforgettably by Robert Quarry – arrives in the United States and settles in a Southern California mansion with his mysterious “brides”. A drive-in favourite from the moment it was released, a sequel soon followed. "The Return of Count Yorga" ups the ante and sees the sardonic Count on the streets of San Francisco, his sights set on an orphanage as a potential source of sustenance.

Director Bob Kelljan (Scream Blacula Scream) delivers a one-two punch of classic cult cinema mixing chills, thrills, style, and suspense with a knowing wit that revels in the genre trappings. Presented in all new restorations by Arrow Films from new scans of the original camera negative, The Count Yorga Collection is a full blooded feast to die for!

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS

  • Brand new 2K restorations by Arrow Films of Count Yorga, Vampire and The Return of Count Yorga from new 4K scans of the original 35mm camera negatives
  • High Definition Blu-Ray (1080p) presentations of both films
  • Original lossless mono audio
  • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • Illustrated perfect bound collector's book featuring new writing by film critic Kat Ellinger and horror author Stephen Laws, plus archive contributions by critic Frank Collins and filmmaker Tim Sullivan
  • Limited edition packaging with reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Heather Vaughan
  • Fold-out double-sided posters for both films featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Heather Vaughan
  • Twelve double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproduction artcards
  • Reproduction pressbook for Count Yorga, Vampire

DISC ONE - COUNT YORGA, VAMPIRE

  • Brand new audio commentary by film critic Tim Lucas
  • Archival audio commentary by film critics David Del Valle & C. Courtney Joyner
  • The Count in California, a brand new appreciation by Heather Drain and Chris O’Neill
  • I Remember Yorga, a brand new interview with Frank Darabont in which the award-winning filmmaker talks about his love for Count Yorga, Vampire
  • A Vampire in L.A., a brand new interview with actor Michael Murphy
  • Fangirl Radio Tribute to Robert Quarry, an archival episode featuring host Jessica Dwyer in conversation with Tim Sullivan filmmaker, Yorga fan and friend of Robert Quarry
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Radio spots
  • Image galleries

DISC TWO - THE RETURN OF COUNT YORGA

  • Brand new audio commentary by film critic Stephen R. Bissette
  • Archival audio commentary by David Del Valle & C. Courtney Joyner
  • The Count and the Counterculture, a brand new interview with film critic Maitland McDonagh
  • Chamber-music of Horrors, a brand new interview with David Huckvale about the scores for both films
  • Archival interview with film critic Kim Newman
  • Theatrical trailer
  • Radio spots
  • Image gallery

Watch Melanie Perform 'Together Alone'

Pop Diary: Marvelmania in Portland

We took a trip to Portland to see our kiddo recently and had the pleasure of seeing the "Marvel Universe of Superheroes" exhibit at OMSI, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

As you can see from the pics, it's quite a show, featuring life-size statues of Marvel characters, costumes from the movies and, most exciting to me, a great selection of iconic art by Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, John Buscema and more. 

Don't hesitate to go if this traveling show makes it to your town.