Blu-ray & DVD: The Digital Dread Report for August 25th!

Due to us having to switch out computers, this week's Digital Dread Report is a bit later than usual. Seeing as it's nearly 8 P.M. on the West coast, let's just get to it!

*Be sure to click the pics to get your Horror fix!

METAMORPHOSIS: First up is the science-fiction/horror of Metamorphosis! When his experiments in genetics are mocked by his colleagues, maverick scientist Dr. Peter Houseman takes extreme measures to prove that his untested anti-aging serum works. Injecting himself with his miracle "cure," he soon experiences a terrifying change within himself that threatens not only the lives of those around him, but also his own sanity. From cult cinema mainstay George Eastman, Metamorphosis proves that nightmares may change, but fear is forever!

BEYOND DARKNESS: Next, take a terrifying trip into a world beyond fear, beyond belief… Beyond Darkness. When a man of God and his loving family move into a new house, they think they've found the perfect home…until they discover that their new digs were once the location where a coven of witches were burned at the stake! It's only a matter of time before the radio starts blaring satanic chants and the cutlery takes on a mind of its own. Will the awakened evil in this house have its final revenge, or can a plucky priest fend off what lurks Beyond Darkness? This tale of terror comes from Claudio Fragasso, the director of Troll 2 (so you KNOW it's good!).

Another great 2-Pack by Scream Factory, this one offers us two 90's B-movie favorites that we never dreamed we'd see on Blu-ray. There's no one who gives Horror fans obscure gems like this on Blu-ray like Scream Factory, and we thank them from the bottom of our fond childhood memory-filled hearts. 

Martial arts student Leroy Green (Taimak) is on a quest to obtain the elusive all-powerful force know as "The Glow." Along the way he must battle the evil, self-proclaimed Shogun of Harlem - a kung fu warrior also known as Sho-nuff (Julius J. Carry III) - and rescue a beautiful singer (Prince protege Vanity) from an obsessed record promoter.

The Last Dragon is an 80's B-movie of the highest magnitude that deserves every bit of its Cult Classic status.A Motown-produced, soul-infused martial arts love story, if you aren't already familiar with Taimak and The Glow, then you need to get right, and give this disc a place on your shelf. It's also got Rhythm of the Night by Debarge playing throughout, so, bonus.

What a great flick.

• Return of the Drago.
• Commentary by director Michael Schultz.
• Trailer.

The thin line between comedy and horror is hilariously explored in Student Bodies, a spoof of contemporary slasher films such as Halloween, When A Stranger Calls, Friday the 13th. The body count is rising at Lamab High School where a goulashes-wearing, eggplant/chalkboard eraser/paperclip-wielding serial killer is taking out promiscuous teens at breakneck speed. When intrepid high school student, Toby (Kristen Riter) goes in search of clues that will reveal the killer’s identity, no one is safe from the comic hijinks.

We've always had a soft spot in our hearts for this silly little Horror Comedy which parodies flicks from the classic 80's Slasher era. We'll be curious to see how much better Blu-ray makes this one look, and will probably add it to our carts and grab it once it hits around $15.

The Walking Dead tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of survivors, led by former police officer Rick Grimes, who travel in search of a safe and secure home. As the world overrun by the dead takes its toll on the survivors, their interpersonal conflicts present a greater danger to their continuing survival than the walkers that roam the country. Over time, the characters are changed by the constant exposure to death and some grow willing to do anything to survive.

What really needs to be said about The Walking Dead? You either know it and love it, or you can't stand it; if you do love the highest rated show on Cable TV though, then you simply have to own it. And there's no better way to watch it, or anything, than on Blu-ray.

• Audio commentaries featuring Showrunner/Executive Producer/Writer Scott M. Gimple, Executive Producer Gale Anne Hurd, Executive Producer Tom Luse, Executive Producer/Special Effects Make-Up Supervisor /Director Greg Nicotero, Director Julius Ramsay; Actors Lauren Cohan, Chad L. Coleman, Michael Cudlitz, Sonequa Martin-Green, Danai Gurira, Alana Masterson, Melissa McBride, Josh McDermitt, Norman Reedus, Christian Serratos and Steven Yuen.
• Deleted Scenes.
• Inside The Walking Dead.
• The Making of The Walking Dead.
• The Making of Alexandria.
• Beth's Journey.
• Bob's Journey.
• Noah's Journey.
• Tyreese's Journey.
• A Day in the Life of Michael Cudlitz.
• A Day in the Life of Josh McDermitt.
• Rotters in the Flesh.

There are actually a few titles down here this week that are worthy of an immediate purchase, and a few that are at least worth renting.

• Angel Heart is a supernatural classic that has Robert De Niro playing Satan... if this one isn't already a part of your collection, then it needs to be.
• Alicia Silverstone as a seductive, killer, jailbait babysitter? The Babysitter sounds like some shameless 90's Thriller fun to us. Now if only they'd release The Crush on Blu-ray...
• Big Game is one of those movies that is almost at the point of being great, but just doesn't have the stuff to get it there. Directed by the guy who gave us Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, Big Game is often times as fun as it is silly, and is definitely kid friendly. It's a solid C of an effort.
• Jacob's Ladder is a trippy, terrifying, 90's classic that stands to this day as one of the best Psychological Horror flicks ever made. A Must See.

Every last one of this week's DVD releases looks like a C-grade effort, so proceed with caution. We did see Pernicious (review HERE), and it at least had some decent entertainment value, even though it was most definitely a C-grade effort.

Everything else, as always, is a crap-shoot.