Ready for Conan (not O’Brien) the Barbarian on the silver screen again after more than 27 years? Reminisce with the original (actually, the sequel) on Blu-ray. And if you’re up for a few nights of fright, read on for more of this week’s DVD releases.
Conan the Destroyer (1984) on Blu-ray. Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wilt Chamberlain, Olivia d’Abo, Sarah Douglas, Grace Jones and Mako. Written by Gerry Conway, Robert E. Howard, Stanley Mann and Roy Thomas. Directed by Richard Fleischer (Soylent Green).
Before there was Jason Momoa as Conan the Barbarian (release date: August 19th, 2011), there was Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan the Barbarian. Conan the Destroyer is the subdued sequel to 1982’s Conan the Barbarian as the studio and the movie’s producers wanted a PG-13 rating to the original’s R rating in hopes of more success. Unfortunately, the somewhat comedic movie grossed less than the original at $31.042 million compared to $39.565 million domestically.
Synopsis: The powerful hero Conan (Schwarzenegger) has been commissioned by evil Queen Taramis (Douglas) to safely escort a teen princess Jehnna (D’Abo) and her bodyguard Bombaata (Chamberlain) to the magic Horn of Dagon. Conan soon discovers however that the queen plans to sacrifice the princess when she returns and inherit her kingdom. Now he and an unusual group of allies – including the eccentric wizard Akiro (Mako) and the wild woman Zula (Jones) – must defeat both mortal and supernatural foes in an epic sword-wielding battle with the fate of the entire world at stake.
Exit 33 (2011) on DVD. Starring Kane Hodder (Friday the 13th VII & VIII), Christian Koza, April Canning, Virginia Bryant, Jerry Reid, Antoinette Nikprelaj, Paul Elia and Maria Hildreth. Written by Norman Koza. Directed by Tommy Brunswick.
Synopsis: A few miles off Exit 33 lies Ike s Last Chance Gas, an old, forgotten hideaway where the reclusive Ike (Hodder) pumps gas and practices his taxidermy skills. Though he might come across as a simple soul, Ike has a dark secret: he’s obsessed with women who have enchanting eyes eyes he wants to keep for himself. Now, as four friends make their way to their 5-year high school reunion, they all make the mistake of taking Exit 33, and they won’t be making it back to the highway any time soon.
8 Movie Pack – Midnight Horror Collection V.1 on DVD.
The first volume of the Midnight Horror Collection from Echo Bridge Home Entertainment includes:
Below (2002). Starring Matthew Davis, Scott Foley, Zach Galifianakis, Bruce Greenwood and Olivia Williams. Directed by David Twoy. Synopsis: A submarine picks up three survivors of a U-boat attack but these visitors seem to spark a series of chilling, otherworldly occurrences.
Decadent Evil (2005). Directed by Charles Band. Synopsis: A vampire named Morella feasts upon the blood of strip club clientele while housing her ex-lover Marvin – part human/part reptile – in a bird cage.
Demonic Toys (1992). Starring Tracy Scoggins. Directed by Peter Manoogian. Synopsis: When a 66-year-old demon with the power to bring toys to life is awakened, he goes in search of a body to inhabit.
Evil Bong (2006). Directed by Charles Band. Synopsis: A toke from a mysterious and powerful vintage bong takes a group of college kids on the wildest trip of their lives.
I Am Omega (2007). Starring Marc Dacascos. Directed by Griff Furst. Synopsis: The lone survivor of a deadly plague is doomed to an eternal battle with the mutant creatures that now control the Earth.
The Legend of Sorrow Creek (2007). Directed by Michael Penning. Synopsis: When two sisters return to their childhood summer getaway, they soon fall under the wrath of an evil curse—one that threatens to rip them apart forever.
Meridian (1990). Starring Sherilyn Fenn. Directed by Charles Band. Synopsis: When a young woman visits her recently inherited Italian castle, she discovers that she has also inherited a medieval curse that threatens her life.
Prom Night (1980). Starring Leslie Nielsen and Jamie Lee Curtis. Directed by Paul Lynch. Synopsis: Four seniors, who all share the same terrible secret, are stalked by a vengeful axe-wielding killer on Prom Night.
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