Some exciting news for fans of the Amityville Horror franchise as Vinegar Syndrome announced a new blu-ray box set of some of the classic Amityville titles. While most of the films released after Amityville Horror II: The Possession can hardly be considered fan favorites, there are a few gems that can be found throughout. Earlier this year I watched and ranked the first wave of Amityville flicks. That article can be found here.
The set is up for pre-order now exclusively through the Vinegar Syndrome website and will be released October 29th and is limited to only 4,000 units. Below is a detailed breakdown of what is included in the set:
THE EVIL ESCAPES:
The Evans children have just suffered the untimely death of their beloved father. Moving, along with their mother, into their grandmother’s gothic seaside mansion they soon become hosts to an uninvited guest, in the form of a mysterious lamp which, unknown to them, is possessed by the demonic forces which once resided in the Amityville house. As unexplained, and increasingly violent, events start occurring in and around the property, Jessica, the youngest member of the household, begins to believe that her father has secretly returned. Unfortunately, it’s actually a demon taking on his likeness ready to terrorize and kill anyone and everyone in order to be fully reborn in human form.The first of the four ‘cursed objects’ films in the Amityville franchise, and the only one directed by Sandor Stern, who wrote the 1979 original, AMITYVILLE: THE EVIL ESCAPES combines domestic drama and supernatural horror as it twists its way towards a shocking conclusion, Vinegar Syndrome presents AMITYVILLE: THE EVIL ESCAPES on Blu-ray for the first time, in a new 4K restoration of its original negative.
Directed by: Sandor Stern
Starring: Patty Duke, Jane Wyatt, Fredric Lehne, Lou Hancock, Brandy Gold, Zoe Trilling, Aron Eisenberg
1989 / 95 min / 1.85:1• Region A Blu-ray (licensor limitation)
• Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
• “Title TBD” – video interview with director Sandor Stern
• “Title TBD” – video interview with cinematographer Tom Richmond
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles—
IT’S ABOUT TIME:
Jacob Sterling, an architect, has just returned from his latest business trip with a surprise: an ornate clock he got out of a soon-to-be-demolished house in Amityville. With the clock newly placed on Sterling’s mantel, he and his family begin to change, ever so slightly at first, into something evil…and very deadly. And soon a malevolent force starts to make its presence known throughout the quiet, suburban community; winding its gears to bring about a seemingly unstoppable demonic force.The darkest and most twisted of the ‘cursed object’ Amityville films, AMITYVILLE: IT’S ABOUT TIME (also known as AMITYVILLE: 1992) plunges the viewer head first into a labyrinthian nightmare of gory body horror, set against the facade of happy suburban living, where everything is more sinister than it seems. Directed by Tony Randel (Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Ticks) and starring Stephan Macht (Graveyard Shift), AMITYVILLE: IT’S ABOUT TIME is arguably the highlight of the 90s entries in the series and comes to Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome newly restored in 4K from its original negative.
Directed by: Tony Randel
Starring: Stephen Macht, Shawn Weatherly, Megan Ward, Damon Martin, Jonathan Penner, Dick Miller
1992 / 95 min / 1.85:1• Region A Blu-ray (licensor limitation)
• Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
• “Time Pieces” – video interview with director Tony Randel
• “Title TBD” – video interview with producer Chris DeFaria
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles—
A NEW GENERATION:
Keyes is a successful photographer who lives at the border of Skid Row. While walking home one day, he notices a homeless man with a strange old mirror. Immediately struck by it for reasons he cannot explain, Keyes convinces the man to sell it to him. However, the mirror seems to have a strange effect on all those who look at it, and Keys himself becomes more and more erratic, all the while unaware that an evil force lurking behind the glass is taking control of him; leading him into a terrifying and violent new reality.Set against the beginnings of gentrification in LA’s notorious Skid Row, John Murlowski’s AMITYVILLE: A NEW GENERATION blends neon-tinged lighting and hefty bloodshed in this distinctly early 90s flavored entry in the franchise. Starring Ross Partridge (Stranger Things), Julia Nickson (Babylon 5) and David Naughton (An America Werewolf in London), plus photographed by Academy Award winner Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight, Inception), Vinegar Syndrome brings AMITYVILLE: A NEW GENERATION to Blu-Ray in a new 4K restoration of its original camera negative.
Directed by: John Murlowski
Starring: Ross Partridge, Terry O’Quinn, Julia Nickson, Lala Sloatman, David Naughton, Richard Roundtree, Lin Shaye
1993 / 92 min / 1.85:1• Region A Blu-ray (licensor limitation)
• Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
• Audio commentary with director John Murlowski, moderated by Elijah Drenner
• “Through the Looking Glass” – video interview with director John Murlowski
• “Malevolent Reflections” – video interview with producer Christopher DeFaria
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles—
DOLLHOUSE:
Bill Martin has just finished construction on a new home for his family. But unknown to him, the previously barren property was the site of the infamous Amityville murder house. After finding a small shed on the grounds, Bill discovers a beautiful and ornate dollhouse, which he gives to his daughter as a present. What he doesn’t realize is that this children’s plaything contains demonic powers, and it’s not long before ghouls and zombies are invading his home, with their murderous sites set on his family.The last and most absurd of the 90s Amityville films, franchise producer Steve White steps into the director’s seat to helm this completely bonkers and entertaining direct to video horror classic. Starring Robin Thomas (About Last Night) and photographed by Tom Callaway (Demon Wind), Vinegar Syndrome brings AMITYVILLE DOLLHOUSE to Blu-ray in a new 4K restoration.
Directed by: Steve White
Starring: Robin Thomas, Starr Andreeff, Allen Cutler, Rachel Duncan, Jarrett Lennon
1996 / 96 min / 1.85:1• Region A Blu-ray (licensor limitation)
• Newly scanned & restored in 4k from its 35mm original camera negative
• “Title TBD” – video interview with director Steve White
• “Title TBD” – video interview with cinematographer Tom Callaway
• “Title TBD” – video interview with special effects artist Roy Knyrim
• Alternate footage from the TV edit (potentially)
• Reversible cover artwork
• English SDH subtitles
