It is time for a new 4k Blu-ray to hit home video shelves and why not take a trippy journey to the 1970s with the cult horror film Blue Sunshine. And with this release Synapse Films went All In to bring physical media fans a super deluxe box set that they will love!
Synopsis: It starts off as a great party--just eight people in a secluded lodge. One of the guests suddenly goes on a shockingly violent, murderous rampage. There is something wrong with his hair, and pure evil in his eyes. What he does to three of the girls there is too hideous to describe. Falsely accused of the brutal killings, Jerry Zipkin (Red Shoe Diaries' Zalman King) goes on the run. More bizarre murders occur, and while trying to clear his name, Jerry discovers the shocking truth: The people losing their hair and turning into violent psychopaths may be connected to a drug each killer took a decade before. A drug known as 'Blue Sunshine.'
Jeff Lieberman wrote and directed Blue Sunshine. He developed the idea after his physician brother, share with him how LSD victims suffered nervous breakdowns years after the drug abuse. What comes forth is a psychedelic trip on film. The terror and suspense is something out of the mind of Hitchcock. The film literally stays with you long after the end credits.
Zalman King is the lead in this film, and he had a pretty impressive run as a guest star on some amazing TV show such as The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, The Munsters, Gunsmoke, and Adam 12. But here his performance for my taste was a but over the top, and not specifically in a good way. His acting was almost distracting for me.
Now the additional cast boasts of some really familiar faces including, Robert Walden (Lou Grant), Mark Goddard (Lost in Space), Deborah Winters (The People Next Door), Alice Ghostley (To Kill A Mockingbird), Ray Young (Hunter’s Blood), Brion James (Blade Runner), Stefan Gierasch (The Hustler), Charles Siebert (Trapper John M.D.).
Synapse Films has transferred Jeff Lieberman's Blue Sunshine to 4K in (2160p) UHD Blu-ray and 1080p in on Blu-ray and presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. There are audio options of an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and a 2.0 track. There is also option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.
Now this is not just any transfer this transfer features an all-new 4K restoration from the original camera negative. The film looks crisp and clean the colors pop like something you saw when you were a kid opening a new box of crayons. The audio is clear with no pops of hiss. Synapse Films has done another amazing job!
A 4k and a Blu-ray of this release might be enough, but not for this release, not for Synapse Films. They added some amazing bonus features. Take a look at what is included.
* Two audio commentaries featuring director Jeff Lieberman
* New introduction to the film by director Jeff Lieberman
* Archival 2003 interview with director Jeff Lieberman
* “Lieberman on Lieberman” video interview
* Channel Z “Fantasy Film Festival” interview with Mick Garris and Jeff Lieberman
* Fantasia Film Festival 4K Premiere Q&A with moderator Michael Gingold and director Jeff Lieberman
* Anti-drug “scare films”: LSD-25 (1967) and LSD: Insight or Insanity? (1968), courtesy of the American Genre Film Archive
* Jeff Lieberman’s first film The Ringer (Remastered in 4K by Synapse Films from the original camera negative)
* Theatrical trailers
* Still gallery
* Liner notes booklet by Jeff Lieberman, featuring a chapter on the making of Blue Sunshine from his book Day of the Living Me: Adventures of a Subversive Cult Filmmaker from the Golden Age
* Limited edition fold-out poster
* Limited edition remastered CD soundtrack (13 tracks)
I love the addition of the CD Soundtrack. That is awesome. 2 Commentaries by the director and a new introduction. That is really nice. Additional interviews and archival material really take this release to a whole other level.
Now as awesome as all these bonuses are Synapse Films made the packaging of this release even better. The Synapse Films limited edition 4k/Blu-ray/CD features hard chipboard slipcase packaging with stunning new artwork by artist Wes Benscoter. Inside is a dual-wall o-card wrapped around a clear three-disc Criterion-style case. The artwork is simply stunning.
Okay so maybe Blue Sunshine is not the most amazing horror film you are ever going to see, but there is no denying the entertainment value in this film. It's psychedelic! it's Trippy! it's Unforgettable!
So, if you like horror films of the 1970s you are going to want Blue Sunshine in your collection and the absolute best way to have in in your library is in this new super deluxe 4k/Blu-ray/CD set from Synapse Films. Head over to MVD Shop or Amazon and pre-order your copy today!
Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Synapse Films 4K release of Blue Sunrise receives....
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