High Def Horror in Your House!

On November 24, 2009, Lionsgate releases one of the very best batches of Blu-ray horror titles in quite some time! Here's a rundown of what to expect on shelves next Tuesday as these horror classics all make their Blu-ray debut.

Must Have Blu-ray:
The Monster Squad: 20^th Anniversary Edition
What do you get when you take a dash of The Goonies, add in a few classic Universal monsters, pepper it with some 80's synth score, and throw in a young director who had already put himself on the map with Night of the Creeps? You get horror movie nirvana, that's what. You get The Monster Squad. And you get one of the most enjoyable trips down nostalgia lane you're ever likely to find.

After becoming a horror fan favorite with his film Night of the Creeps, Fred Dekker stepped behind the camera to direct this lighthearted (yet still frightening) little tale about a group of neighborhood kids who will stop at nothing to send Dracula and his Universal monster buddies back to hell. It's pure 80's with poofy hair, horrible clothes, and a boppin' soundtrack that will leave you tapping your toes for days. More importantly, however, it's pure unadulterated fun.

This Blu-ray release is every horror fan's dream come true. The 1080p transfer looks fantastic. Sure, there are moments of heavy grain and some saturation issues from time to time, but overall the film has never looked (and sounded) better. Even if you own the DVD, this Blu-ray is a no-brainer of an upgrade.

The real treat, however, is the massive amount of bonus material on the disc. Two Audio Commentary tracks! A five-part retrospective called Monster Squad Forever! which is far more in-depth and interesting than most of your EPK-style fare. A Conversation with Frankenstein is a silly, but fun little featurette. Brand new Deleted Scenes. And even the Original Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot.

Most of this material is on the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD version of The Monster Squad, but I can't urge you enough to upgrade to this Blu-ray disc if you're a fan of the film. The transfer alone is worth the upgrade. To see Drac get some pizza in his face in crisp 1080p is just a glorious moment.

Just think... If it weren't for The Monster Squad, we'd never have wondered "Wolfman's got what?!" This Blu-ray disc is an absolute must have.

Also on Blu-ray:
Cujo: 25^th Anniversary Edition
Not to be outdone, Cujo bares his teeth and brings home the goods on Blu-ray as well. One of Stephen King's most beloved adaptations, Cujo tells the harrowing tale of a boy and his mother stranded and trapped in their car to stay out of the jaws of a huge rabid dog. Simple story. Ultimate impact. It's a fantastic film that will put the fear of dogs in you. Well, at least rapid dogs.

The transfer here is top-notch and another worthy upgrade from the DVD to see Cujo's frothy mouth in 1080p clarity. Also included is a breezy, yet informative, commentary track with Director Lewis Teague and an extensive three-part documentary called "Dog Days: The Making of Cujo."

My Bloody Valentine: Special Edition
Before Harry Warden was terrorizing people with his pickaxe in 3D, he was doing it the old-fashioned two-dimensional way in this superior original horror flick. The small town of Valentine Bluffs would never be the same, and horror fans are all the better for it. A truly fun and inspired classic, My Bloody Valentine continues to have an absolutely rabid fan-base, and for good reason. It's scary as hell.

The Blu-ray disc arrives with another excellent 1080p transfer and 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio that sounds great. Fans are also treated to a slick featurette called "Bloodlust: My Bloody Valentine and the Rise of the Slasher Film," an Interactive Horror Film History called Bloodlines, and Deleted Footage with cast and crew introductions. It's a tight package for the discerning horror fan. Perfect to stuff any sicko's stocking!

Frailty
This modern classic starring (and directed by) Bill Paxton is what we like to call a slow burn. It takes a little while to get going, lulling the viewer into a false sense of security, until it decides to unless a hellish twist that leaves you reeling for days. Frailty is one of those rare films that simply effect you, stick in your brain, and keep you thinking about it for days and days. It's simply that damn good.

Paxton gives a bravura performance and he gets some excellent support from the likes of Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Luke Askew, and Jeremy Sumpter. The tension and pacing are perfect and the dirty, gritty look of the film is a perfect fit.

Arriving on Blu-ray disc for the very first time, Frailty absolutely packed with bonus material. There are three (yes, three!) Audio Commentary tracks, an "Anatomy of a Scene" feature, a featurette called "The Making of Frailty," Deleted Scene with optional commentary, Storyboards, and a photo gallery. You could spend days digging through the awesomeness on this disc, and I'd actually encourage you to do just that. Fraitly is one of those films where you can actually pick up on more and more details with every single viewing. Check it out on Blu-ray and you won't be disappointed.

Angel Heart
If you ever wanted to see Mickey Rourke, Robert De Niro, Lisa Bonet, and Charlotte Rampling ham it up in one of the craziest cult thrillers you've ever seen, now's your chance. And you can see it in glorious 1080p high def while you're at it! Directed by Alan Parker, Angel Heart is like nothing you've seen before (and possibly since). It's fun and naughty and all kinds of awesome.

The Blu-ray disc sports an Interview with Director Alan Parker, an Interview and selected scene Commentary with Mickey Rourke, a featurette about the facts, history, and beliefs of voodoo called "Voodoo Truths," an Introduction by Parker, and the theatrical trailer. All that, plus a great looking transfer. Another easy decision for the horror fan in your house.