Blu-ray & DVD: The Digital Dread Report for 10/6

The first week in October is huge... HUGE ...as far as new Blu-ray & DVD Releases go, and most of them actually look pretty solid. Well, maybe about half of them are...

*Be sure to click the pics to order yourself some flicks!

Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, and Anthony Hopkins star in director Francis Ford Coppola's visually stunning, passionately seductive version of the classic Dracula legend. In BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, Coppola returns to the original source of the Dracula myth, and from that gothic romance, he creates a modern masterpiece. Gary Oldman's metamorphosis as Dracula who grows from old to young, from man to beast is nothing short of amazing. Winona Ryder brings equal intensity to the role of a young beauty who becomes the object of Dracula's devastating desire. Anthony Hopkins co-stars as the famed doctor who dares to believe in Dracula, and then dares to confront him. Opulent, dazzling and utterly irresistible, this is Dracula as you've never seen him. And once you've seen BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA, you'll never forget it.

"The Supreme Cinema Series is a premium, limited edition collection befitting beloved cinematic favorites and modern classics. Each film is presented with pristine high definition picture, enhanced sound and a collection of new and/or archival special features, creating an ultimate edition for first-time viewers and fans alike. Complete with unique Clear Case packaging, the Supreme Cinema Series is the optimal way to celebrate these unforgettable cinematic experiences."

We've been waiting for what feels like forever for Bram Stoker's Dracula to get a worthy Blu-ray release (past releases have been sub-par), and now we're finally going to get to see this 90's classic in gorgeous 4K.

This is THE Blu-ray release of the week, hands down, bar none.

• 4K Restoration & Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
• Reflections in Blood: Francis Ford Coppola and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
• Practical Magicians: A Collaboration Between Father and Son.
• Rare 1993 Commentary with Francis Ford Coppola, Roman Coppola and Greg Cannom.
• Deleted Scenes.
• Audio Commentary & Film Introduction by Director Francis Ford Coppola.
• 4 Legacy Featurette.
• Exclusive new intro from director Francis Ford Coppola.
• Sleek and innovative all-new clear case packaging.
• 24-page book with rare photos.

Go back to the beginning, if you dare, in this chilling prequel that takes place before the unforgettable haunting of the Lambert family. Paranormal investigators Tucker and Specs team up with the psychic Elise to help Quinn, a teenage girl who believes that her late mother is trying to make contact. At first, Elise's horrific past makes her reluctant to use her ability, but when Quinn's desperate father begs for assistance, she agrees to venture into The Further. There, she finds a ruthless supernatural entity with a voracious craving for the souls of the living. It's the darkest chapter yet in this spine-tingling portrayal of evil unleashed.

Way better than we expected it to be, Insidious: Chapter 3 is a fitting continuation (conclusion?) to the series created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell. We'll definitely be revisiting this one at some point, and if you haven't seen it yet, it's well worth your time... if, of course, you like movies like Insidious to begin with.

• Origin Story: Making Chapter 3 Featurette.
• Deleted Scenes.
• Being Haunted: A Psychic Medium Speaks Featurette.
• Macabre Creations Featurette.
• Stunts: The Car Crash Featurette.
• Cherry Glazerr: Tiptoe Through the Tulips Featurette.

Penny Dreadful returns with ten powerful episodes and finds Vanessa Ives (Eva Green) and Ethan Chandler (Josh Hartnett) forming a deeper bond as the group, including Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), Dr. Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), and Sembene (Danny Sapani), unite to banish the evil forces that threaten to destroy them. Meanwhile, Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), the Creature (Rory Kinnear) and Brona (Billie Piper) are all waging battles of their own.

One of the best TV Shows on any channel, Penny Dreadful is a Must See for anyone who loves Gothic Horror. Or great acting. Or Eva Green. Especially Eva Green.

Day one for us.

• Video Production Blog.
• Reeve Carney Round Table.
• History of the Occult.
• Character Profile.
• Evelyn Poole's Mansion.
• Interview/Behind the Scenes.

There are LOTS and lots of great releases down here in the bottom half this week, so let's get started...

• Dark Places was a really solid Thriller from the author of Gone Girl, that kept us happily glued to the screen up until the end, which left us kind of flat...  just like Gone Girl. The woman tells great stories, but she sucks at ending them. Definitely worth a watch though. Read our review HERE.
• Alleluia is one that is still on our To Watch list, but from what we understand, it's pretty gritty and disturbing, so we're all in.
• Final Girl is a pretty movie that doesn't have a lot of substance to it... but it's pretty. Maybe you should read our review HERE to see if it's for you.
• We Are Still Here was a solid Haunted House flick that we didn't love quite as much as everyone else who has seen it, but we still managed to enjoy it on some level. Barbara Crampton and Larry Fessenden are great in this. Read our review HERE.
• Speaking of Haunted House movies, Burnt Offerings is a 70's classic that we're really eager to check out on Blu-ray.
• Air, Amnesia, Nocturna, Last Shift, and The Stranger all look fairly interesting.
• Vikings is one of the best shows on TV, and definitely one that we want to own on Blu-ray... especially since the Blu-rays offer uncut and unedited episodes. So, boobs.
• AHS: Freak Show we'll take a pass on. Not fans at all.
• The various Hammer Movies are worth checking out for anyone who is a fan of the classics.

On the DVD Front this week...

• Hidden was a decent Post-Apocalyptic flick offers a cool twist. Read our review HERE.
• Curve, Gravy, June, and Pod look alright, and might be worth a watch.
• Everything else, as always, is a crap-shoot.