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Quick links/Discussed in this episode:
Belladonna of Sadness (1973): Discussion begins. Read the Canonically Weird entry! A presumably beautiful 4K UHD disc of the cult rape/revenge/witchcraft anime. The bad news is it’s being released by Discotek, who normally traffic in popular anime rather than art-house stuff, and who are advertising no special features. Buy Belladonna of Sadness.
Cemetery Man (1994): Discussion begins. Read the Canonically Weird entry! A 4K UHD of the surrealist zombie flick arrive from Severin, with old features ported over from Blu-ray, plus new interviews with director Michele Soavi and star Rupert Everett. Buy Cemetery Man.
Cry-Baby (1990): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. What may be John Waters‘ least weird film, with young Johnny Depp as a 1950s “drape” who can cry a single tear on command, comes to 4K UHD from Kino Lorber, with the director’s cut of the film and a slew of extras on the included Blu-ray. Buy Cry-Baby.
David Lynch update?: Discussion begins. David Lynch has something for us to see and hear coming along on June 5. That’s all we know. David Lynch’s mysterious announcement on Twitter.
House of Screaming Glass (2024): Discussion begins. A woman inherits a “spooky” house from her grandmother, and inside she finds evidence of witchcraft as she begins hallucinating. The only place it seems to be available is Fandango at Home. House of Screaming Glass official site.
Kin-Dza-Dza! (1986): Discussion begins. Read the Canonically Weird entry! Deaf Crocodile brings the previously unavailable-in-North-America late-Soviet sci-fi comedy to Blu-ray. Restored with commentary by critic Walter Chaw and lots of interviews as extras. Buy Kin-Dza-Dza!.
“The Other Dimension and the Films of Fabio Salerno”: Discussion begins. A collection of the complete works of an unknown (in the U.S.) Italian microbudget horror filmmaker. Promotional materials call the work “dreamlike” and “the missing link between Dario Argento and George & Mike Kuchar.” Buy “The Other Dimension and the Films of Fabio Salerno.”
Paganini (1989): Discussion begins. Read Alfred Eaker’s review. Klaus Kinski‘s last acting role is also his only directorial effort. He cast himself as a narcissistic, libidinous, demonic version of the Italian composer, in a film with nearly pornographic sex scenes. Previously underrepresented at best on physical media, Vinegar Syndrome gives it a lavish Blu-ray release in a 2K restoration with a commentary track and a host of interviews from surviving cast and crew. Buy Paganini.
Quantum Cowboys (2022): Discussion begins. A Western, animated in twelve different styles that drift through quantum realities. Arrived out of nowhere but with an impressive cast that includes Lilly Gladstone and appearances from Gary Farmer, Alex Cox, and alt-country musicians Neko Case and John Doe. Buy Quantum Cowboys.
Sasquatch Sunset (2024): Discussion begins. Read Gregory J. Smalley’s review. The Zellner brothers strange Bigfoot dramedy arrives on Blu-ray. Buy Sasquatch Sunset.
WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE:
Next week’s guest(s) on Pod 366 will be Lindsey Haun and Nick Roth, actors/directors of the telepathic handkerchief comedy Hanky Panky. In written reviews, Shane Wilson inhales the hallucinogenic Japanese Death Powder (1986), while Giles Edwards gets lost in Katernica (2023). Also, Gregory J. Smalley will give you a short update on the new 366 book coming out, and the site’s plans going forward. Onward and weirdward!
I have to disagree – Discotek is an awesome anime publisher! They release a lot of UN-popular stuff that nobody else will touch (like Belladonna), or can get the rights to. Their prices are a little high, but that’s probably due to low sales/ small print runs. I like weird anime & older stuff, so they get a lot of my money!
Yeah lol 366 has always had a bizarre anime blind spot that leads them to make wild statements like this. I’m not sure I’d call anything on Discotek’s catalog “popular anime” by modern standards, but I’m guessing normal guys will see “theres girls and robots” and think “yep thats what normal anime is, unlike smart stuff like Belladonna”. But the idea of a catalog that includes Tachiguishi(!!!), Re:Cutie Honey, Overman King Gainer, Planet With, Kaiba, Robot Carnival, NotGR, Hells, Konaka’s Devilman Lady, etc. being “popular anime”… if only!
Great examples there- forgot about “Kaiba”. I should add that to their suggestion list. And while they are not well-versed in anime, they admit it and actually do give some of it a try (they did review Night on the Galactic Railroad and Robot Carnival), so good on them for being open minded. I think the lack of extras was the main disappointment – and Discotek doesn’t really focus on those. Their cleanup & restoration is fantastic, though- and releasing SD series on Blu-ray with fewer discs was a genius move. So again- all hail Discotek!😁
Apologies to Discotek and their fans. To clarify, I am not so much disappointed that Discotek obtained the rights to Belladonna of Sadness as I am that Cinelicous/Arbelos lost the rights to it. The Cinelicious Blu-ray was a fantastic release. Sam is right that my disappointment comes from losing out on all that bonus material. But if Discotek releases something that no one else will or can, I will surely stand up for them in the future. (And yes, they do deserve credit for getting Robot Carnival et al. out there.)