Music Documentary "Sad Vacation: The Last Days Of Sid And Nancy" hits DVD

MVD Distribution recently send us infomation for the upcoming release of "Sad Vacation: The Last Days Of Sid And Nancy" The documentary documents Sid and Nancy's fateful trip to New York in 1978 and is narrated by Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals).

No special features were announced.

"Sad Vacation: The Last Days Of Sid And Nancy" hits retail on December 9th.

Press Release:

SAD VACATION is the latest documentary film by Danny Garcia ("The Rise and Fall of The Clash"/"Looking for Johnny"), which explores Sid and Nancy's fateful trip to New York in 1978. It is a film that is dedicated to presenting the real facts; told as it happened by their friends and those who witnessed it. A film about the dynamics of Sid and Nancy's tumultuous relationship, and how it all ended in Room 100 of the Chelsea Hotel.

SAD VACATION includes interviews with Roberta Bayley, Steve "Roadent" Conolly, Donna Destri, Kenny "Stinker" Gordon, Bob Gruen, John Holmstrom, Hellin Killer, Walter Lure, Honest John Plain, Howie Pyro, Cynthia Ross, Andy Shernoff, Gaye Black, Casino Steel, Phyllis Stein, Sylvain Sylvain; in addition to the late Leee Black Childers and three key residents of the Chelsea Hotel, Victor Colicchio, "Neon" Leon Matthews, and Ned Van Zandt, who had a lot to say about the events that took place on October 12th 1978. Drawing upon their reflections and a batch of newly-released Grand Jury documents, "Sad Vacation" presents a solid timeline of events for the very first time.

Narrated by Huey Morgan (Fun Lovin' Criminals), SAD VACATION contains unseen photography of Sid and Nancy and music from The Heartbreakers, The Boys, The Members, Neon Leon, Pure Hell, Sami Yaffa, Luigi & The Wiseguys, Skafish, Corazones Muertos, The PrimaDonna Reeds, Supla, Silke Berlinn & The Addictions and Sid Vicious himself.

"A House Is Not A Home" to Haunt Your Home

MVD Entertainment and DeInstitutionalized LLC recently sent us information for the upcoming DVD release of "A House Is Not a Home". The film stars Bill Cobbs (Night at the Museum), Richard Grieco (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 21 Jump Street), Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope) and Aurora Perrineau (Jem and the Holograms, Equals).

No special features were announced.

"A House Is Not A Home" hits retail on September 27th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/houseisnotahome

Press Release:

Following a limited theatrical run, MVD Entertainment Group will release A House Is Not A Home, a DeInstitutionalized LLC production, on DVD and digital platforms on September 27th. The film stars Bill Cobbs (Night at the Museum), Richard Grieco (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, 21 Jump Street), Eddie Steeples (My Name Is Earl, Raising Hope), Aurora Perrineau (Jem and the Holograms, Equals), Diahnna Nicole Baxter (Scandal), Gerald Webb (Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Sniper: Special Ops), Melvin Gregg (3.7 million Vine followers) and is directed by Christopher Douglas-Olen Ray (Mercenaries). The diversely cast horror film premiered at the Burbank International Film Festival to rave reviews taking top honors as the Best Horror Feature.

In the film, Ben and Linda Williams move the family into a dream home in a last ditch effort to save their troubled marriage. Despite their good intentions, they cannot shake the feeling that they are being watched by something. Their unimaginable fears are realized when things inside the house take a supernatural and sinister turn. Ben and his family flee for their lives, but it is too late. The house isn't finished with them, trapping the family in its labyrinth. The Williams must come together as never before to fight for their family, their lives and to escape.

Gerald Webb, DeInstitutionalized Managing Partner, says: "Rarely are diverse films, that fall outside of a very narrowly defined Hollywood mold, green lit by tradition studios and distributors. We created A House Is Not A Home as a direct challenge to those industry stereotypes to fill the void lacking diverse horror and thriller feature films. We are very pleased that MVD's progressive team has the foresight and commitment to diversity to join us in releasing this groundbreaking film. With the industry currently grappling with diversity issues, A House Is Not A Home's release is a needed win for diversity and fans of horror and thriller films everywhere."

DeInstitutionalized is a production company based out of Burbank, California. Partners Chris Ray and Gerald Webb have been working together in various capacities for nearly a decade. In conjunction with producing their own original content, the members have also provided production services to other highly reputable television and film companies.

Eric D. Wilkinson, Director of Home Video Sales and Acquisitions at MVD, says: "I'm thrilled to be working with the team at Deinstitutionalized on the release of the thriller "A House is Not a Home". MVD Entertainment has a long history of successfully supporting independent films and independent filmmakers and Christopher and Gerald have crafted a fun thriller with a diverse cast that I look forward to bringing to the marketplace across all platforms."

"Back to the Future" Documentary "Back in Time" Races to DVD

FilmRise and MVD Distribution recently send us over information for the upcoming DVD release "Back in Time". The film takes a look at the "Back to the Future" film while also looking at its culture impact. The film features interviews from  Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, James Tolkan, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox.

No special features were announced.

"Back in Time" hits retail on September 13th.

Plot Synopsis:

This documentary is a look at the very real impact the Back to the Future movies have had on our culture. This tightly-focused film shows that what was once a little idea became something truly amazing which resonated through the culture.

Spanning over two years of filming, Back in Time is a cinematic monument to the immensity of the trilogy's fandom. By capturing countless of hours of footage and interviews, the crew watched as the impact of the trilogy became apparent. Steven Spielberg, Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale, James Tolkan, Lea Thompson, Christopher Lloyd and Michael J. Fox all give must-see interviews about their experiences with the movie.

Back in Time began as a project conceived by Jason Aron, a fan of the Back to the Future series, that was posted to the crowdfunding website Kickstarter in June 2013. Over 600 people backed the campaign, pledging over $45,000 in order for the documentary to be made The film was shot over a period of two years; while production primarily took place in the United States, another filming location was that of London, England during a Back to the Future fan event. The film opened theatrically on October 21st 2015, the day that the series' protagonist Marty McFly travels to in Back to the Future Part II.

Gregory Weinkauf of The Huffington Post said that the documentary "gets to the heart of the Back to the Future phenomenon, proving as enjoyable as the franchise it affectionately explores", calling it "a delightful return to, and updating of, a beloved story".

Reviewer Logan J. Fowler of the website Pop-Break noted that it was "a well crafted and awesome look back at the movie that changed so many lives in the past, and will continue to do so in the future."

The DVD can be ordered now at the MVD Shop or on Amazon. Hi Res Cover Art: http://mvdb2b.com/i/300dpi/MVD8722D.jpg

MVD Entertainment Group Acquires "Subterranea"

MVD Entertainment Group recently send us over information that they've acquired the sci-fi thriller "Subterranea". The upcoming film stars Bug Hall (The Little Rascals (1994), American Pie: The Book of Love), two-time Emmy Award Nominee Nicholas Turturro (The Longest Yard, "NYPD Blue", "Blue Bloods") and William Katt (Carrie (1976), The Man From Earth, "The Greatest American Hero").

"Subterranea" hits DVD, Blu-Ray, and DVD on September 13th.


Press Release:

MVD Entertainment Group has acquired all North American distribution rights to science fiction thriller SUBTERRANEA, the award-winning festival favorite from the producer of Jerome Bixby's The Man From Earth. The auspicious debut from director and screenwriter Mathew Miller, Subterranea was inspired by British progressive rock band recording artist "IQ" and their successful 1997 concept album of the same name and stars Bug Hall (The Little Rascals (1994), American Pie: The Book of Love), two-time Emmy Award Nominee Nicholas Turturro (The Longest Yard, "NYPD Blue", "Blue Bloods") and William Katt (Carrie (1976), The Man From Earth, "The Greatest American Hero").

The deal was negotiated by Ed Seaman from MVD and co-producers Mathew Miller and Brandon Woodard on behalf of Birdman Films.

Subterranea stars Bug Hall as "The Captive", who was locked in a dark cell as a small child and was raised in complete isolation, never seeing daylight or even another human being. Over twenty years later, without warning, he is released into society with nothing but the clothes on his back. Determined to find out who he is, The Captive discovers that he's the centerpiece of a dangerous orchestrated sociological experiment and sets off to find the truth about his shadowed existence, ultimately leading to a thrilling confrontation with his maker, "The Provider" (William Katt).

Following the release of IQ's double album "Subterranea", writer / director Mathew Miller was inspired. "As a huge fan of IQ, I was honored and thrilled to be collaborating with Peter Nicholls (IQ lyricist, writer and lead vocalist) and the band. My goal was to respect the original material and bring to life the already stimulating and poignant images the music has created in all of our minds and hearts as fans."

As the film was in development, Mat struck a professional friendship with one of the producers from The Man From Earth, Eric D. Wilkinson. Wilkinson's debut film has achieved "cult status" (The Man From Earth now resides among the Top 50 Science Fiction Films of all time on the IMDb) and was confident that he could help bring this film to a wider audience.

"When I first read Mat's script, I fell in love with the story and characters," said Wilkinson. "In some ways, the film reminded me of The Man From Earth. It had that 'intellectual sci-fi feel' to it, and at the same time, really played well as a conventional thriller. Mathew is a super talented young director and I was committed to helping him realize his vision for the material. MVD is a great company that is exceptionally supportive of filmmakers and producers and I look forward to our film's release later this year."

Subterranea has been receiving accolades on the festival circuit including Grand Prize Winner: Vortex Sci-fi & Fantasy Award- 2015 Rhode Island International Film Festival, Winner - Jury Prize - Best Film - 2015 Reel East Film Festival, Official Selection - 2015 Reno Tahoe International Film Festival, Official Selection - 2015 Queen City Film Festival and Official Selection - 2015 Montana Film Festival. The film made its European premiere in London on May 1st, 2016.

Subterranea will debut on Digital, VOD, DVD and Blu-ray on September 13, 2016 from MVD Entertainment Group. Special Features included on the disc include two behind the scenes featurettes "The Making of Subterranea" and "On the Set of Subterranea - Timelapses, deleted scenes and the original theatrical trailer."

Music Documentary "The Damned: Don't You Wish We Were Dead" Heads to Blu-Ray & DVD

MVD Entertainment recently send us information for the upcoming Blu-Ray + DVD release of "The Damned: Don't You Wish We Were Dead". The film was an official selection at the 2015 SXSW Film Festival.

No special features were announced at this time.

"The Damned: Don't You Wish We Were Dead" hits retail on April 20th.

For more information on this film, you can visit the film's official website at: www.damneddoc.com

Press Release:

After packing cinemas and collecting rave reviews around the world, THE DAMNED: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead is coming to home video on May 20th.

Hailed as "excellent" by Uncut, "fascinating" by The Arts Desk,and "funny, fast-moving and gloriously chaotic" by The Hollywood Reporter, the film was directed/produced by Wes Orshoski, and is the first fully authorized documentary on punk pioneers The Damned.

Ireland's Hot Press raves: "Orshoski came onto our radar with the acclaimed Lemmy documentary in 2011 [which he co-directed/produced] and has once again created a tour de force, presenting an entertaining and searingly honest depiction of the grievously overlooked punk legends."

Filmed around the globe over three years, and world-premiered at SXSW 2015, THE DAMNED: Don't You Wish That We Were Dead tells the story of the third prong in the holy trinity of U.K. punk. In advance of both the Sex Pistols and the Clash, The Damned was the first U.K. punk band to release a single (1976's immortal "New Rose"), the first to release an album ('77's frenetic Damned Damned Damned), and the first to tour America (planting their flag at CBGB in April 1977). Now in their 39th year, The Damned are the only band from London's 1976 Punk Rock Big Bang still touring the world today.

In addition to Damned founders Captain Sensible, Dave Vanian, Rat Scabies and Brian James, the film includes appearances by such one-time bandmates as The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jones (The Clash) and Lemmy Kilmister of Motörhead, as well as such rock and/or punk luminaries as Nick Mason (Pink Floyd), Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols), Steve Diggle (Buzzcocks), JJ Burnel (The Stranglers), Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode), Billy Idol, Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat/Fugazi), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Keith Morris (Black Flag/Circle Jerks/OFF!), Dexter Holland (The Offspring), Jack Grisham (T.S.O.L.), and more.

Taking its name from the title-track of the Damned's 1979 album, Machine Gun Etiquette, the film charts the band's unique history, bitter infighting and legendary bad behavior (drummer Scabies is blamed for creating punk's "gobbing," or spitting, phenomenon); it takes viewers into the toilets once scrubbed by Captain Sensible and viewers follow the Damned on their world-wide 35th anniversary tour in 2011 -- with estranged band founders Scabies and James seen on screen answering that trek with a snarling celebration of their own. In a bizarre twist of fate, other former members find themselves being treated for the same form of cancer by the same doctor in the same Welsh cancer ward; elsewhere, the band's founding members are seen grappling with their legacy, and the fallout from missed and/or bungled business decisions that have kept them painfully working class for most of the past four decades.

The Arts Desk: "Where many music documentaries have a similar dynamic arc-rise, fall, rise again-Don't You Wish That We Were Dead is a fascinating, rambling saga that emanates a rich, sometimes morose, sense of what it's really like to have a whole life defined by the oh-so-brief explosion that was punk rock."

In the bonus features, Captain Sensible takes viewers on a tour of Croydon, the south London town that gave rise to the Damned, and he busks on the streets of Hollywood with actor/musician/comedian Fred Armisen, a huge Damned fan. Elsewhere, the full story of the band's involvement and eventual ousting from the Sex Pistols' fabled Anarchy in the U.K. tour of 1976 is told in detail for the first time.

In the film, The Damned is credited with helping to ignite the punk scene in America. In 1977, the Damned were the first of the U.K. punks to play in both New York (at CBGB) and Los Angeles (at the Starwood).

In 2010, The Huffington Post's Binky Phillips recalled the band's U.S. debut at CBGB in early April 1977: "I was down at CBGB with a chip on my shoulder. My town was Punk Ground Zero.... I was, in fact, without a struggle, reduced to fan boy within 30 seconds. It was as if the entire evening proceeding them had been in black and white and suddenly we were thrust into Technicolor Oz."

The Damned kick off a West Coast tour in April, which includes two appearances at Coachella (April 16 & 23), as well as stops in San Francisco (April 14, Great American Music Hall); Solana Beach, CA (April 19, Belly Up); Pomona, CA (April 20, The Glass House); and Los Angeles (April 21, The Roxy).

The band officially kicks off its 40th anniversary tour on May 20 with a sold-out gig at The Royal Albert Hall in London.

Richard Elfman's Cult Classic "Forbidden Zone" to be Released in Both Special and Ultimate Editions

MVD Entertainment recently send us over information for the upcoming Ultimate Edition Blu-Ray release of Richard Elfman's cult classic "Forbidden Zone". The film will also be available as a special edition Blu-Ray and DVD.

Special features on the DVD and Blu-Ray includes Audio commentary with director Richard Elfman and writer-actor Matthew Bright, "A Look into Forbidden Zone" featuring extensive behind the scenes documentary featuring interviews and archive footage, including scenes from Elfman's lost film "The Hercules Family.", Outtakes and Deleted Scenes, Original Theatrical Trailer and Wild new video intro by Richard Elfman with teaser clip of upcoming Forbidden Zone 2.
 
The ultimate edition will also include the soundtrack for the film.

"Forbidden Zone" hits retail on September 29th.

Press Release:

Richard Elfman's Forbidden Zone, starring Herve Villechaise (Fantasy Island) and Susan Tyrell (Fat City, Cry-Baby) and featuring original music by Danny Elfman, will make it's way to the home video market on September 29th in various forms including Digital, DVD, Blu-ray, and soundtrack packages. Each edition contains the black and white and color transfers of the film.

In the film sexy Frenchy falls into an insane underworld ruled by a horny little king and his jealous queen. Chicken-boy comes to the rescue, only to have his head cut off by the soul-singing Devil himself--played by Danny Elfman and the Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo. Frog butlers, topless princesses and rioting school kids sing and dance in unforgettable musical numbers by Danny Elfman, Cab Calloway, Josephine Baker and other greats. Forbidden Zone is truly a ground-breaking, fun-filled timeless classic!

Elfman says: "Forbidden Zone, the Ultimate Edition is coming shortly to DVD and Blu-ray from my good friends at MVD Entertainment. For the first time ever we include both the original black & white plus the new color version--all in sterling hi-def and state-of-the-art sound mix. There's a terrific booklet and loads of bonus features (including an utterly insane introduction by some idiot who looks a lot like me). I'm very proud of this best ever Forbidden Zone release! Officially Elfo-recommended!"

Bonus Materials

- Audio commentary with director Richard Elfman and writer-actor Matthew Bright
- "A Look into Forbidden Zone" featuring extensive behind the scenes documentary featuring interviews and archive footage, including scenes from Elfman's lost film "The Hercules Family."
- Outtakes and Deleted Scenes
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Wild new video intro by Richard Elfman with teaser clip of upcoming Forbidden Zone 2.