FOLLOWING FILMS - Podcast, Movies, Music, and More

There was a period in the early 1980s when college campuses in movies were lawless microcosms; before every square inch of a university was watched over by omnipresent surveillance or bogged down by hyper-connected modern anxiety, you could run around a quad at two in the morning playing elaborate live-action assassination games with dart guns without instantly getting swatted. TAG: The Assassination Game (1982) encapsulates that period, it is not a pretentious cinematic statement and it is certainly not an transformative work, rather it is a slightly goofy, surprisingly tense budget thriller about kids taking a silly game too seriously until one of them snaps and starts using real bullets. The movie was directed by Nick Castle who most horror fans know best as the physical presence behind Michael Myers in John Carpenter's original Halloween, but you can see he learned a lot while working on set and understands how to use shadows, how to frame a hallway to look threatening and how ...

Mike Mendez’s Killers is not the kind of film that lets you walk away unscathed. Released in 1996, the movie emerged at a time when the indie scene was still riding the wave of Tarantino-inspired grit and raw, low-budget energy. But while some may lump it in with other hyper-violent crime films of the era, Killers distinguishes itself by digging deeper into the dark psychology of its characters. Mendez’s directorial debut is a bleak, unrelenting dive into the minds of two deeply broken men, and while the film isn’t perfect, it’s an impressive first feature that showcases the filmmaker’s willingness to get his hands dirty—both figuratively and literally. Killers follows the story of two serial killers, Raymond (Dave Larsen) and Kyle (David Gunn), who embark on a brutal killing spree across the Midwest. The duo, though united by their violent tendencies, have distinct approaches to their horrific deeds. Raymond is older and more calculating, a veteran of depravity who derives a sick sati...

Mike Mendez's 2000 cult classic The Convent is a film that blends horror, comedy, and a dose of nostalgia into a wildly entertaining ride. Though it might not have garnered the mainstream attention of its counterparts in the early 2000s horror-comedy resurgence, it has built a loyal following over the years. With its self-aware tone, an unrelenting dedication to camp, and buckets of blood, The Convent is a love letter to horror fans who don’t take themselves—or their films—too seriously. Set in a creepy, abandoned convent, the film opens with a flashback to the 1960s where a rebellious young woman, Christine (Adrienne Barbeau), storms the convent with a shotgun and a Molotov cocktail, taking out a group of nuns who seem possessed by some demonic force. Fast forward forty years, and the dilapidated convent is now a local legend, a hotspot for urban explorers, misfit teenagers, and fraternity initiations. Our central group of college students, led by the reluctant Clorissa (Joanna Ca...

The Film Dario Argento's "Tenebrae" is a masterpiece of Italian giallo cinema that continues to captivate and thrill audiences even decades after its release. As a fervent fan of Argento's work, I can't help but sing the praises of this exceptional film. "Tenebrae" is a masterclass in suspense and style. Argento's direction is nothing short of mesmerizing, weaving a complex and thrilling narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end. The film's plot, centered around a series of gruesome murders inspired by a popular author's novel, is a labyrinth of twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat. What sets "Tenebrae" apart from many other films in the giallo genre is its visual and auditory brilliance. Argento's use of vivid colors, striking compositions, and innovative camera work is simply breathtaking. Each shot feels meticulously crafted, and the film's Italian locations are showcased in all their g...

In the realm of nature-run-amok films, one particular creature feature has stood the test of time and captured the imaginations of genre enthusiasts around the world. Synapse Films, renowned for unearthing cinematic treasures, is proud to present the long-awaited Blu-ray release of "Crocodile," a cult classic that has remained in high demand for nearly a decade. With its jaw-dropping poster art and a plot reminiscent of the iconic "JAWS," this late 70s Taiwanese/Korean rip-off promises a thrilling ride through a small beach town terrorized by a colossal and bloodthirsty crocodile. Rejuvenated through an all-new 2K restoration, "Crocodile" is ready to make its triumphant return to screens, bigger and better than ever. Synopsis: "Crocodile" takes us back to the late 70s, where a tranquil beach town falls victim to an ever-growing menace—a giant mutated crocodile. With each passing moment, the beast becomes larger and hungrier, possibly due to the a...

McBain, the cult action classic from 1991, is making a long-awaited debut on Blu-ray on July 11th. Starring Academy Award winner Christopher Walken and directed by James Glickenhaus, this film is a wornderfully goofy action/thriller that exemplifies the best of '90s exploitation cinema. The story revolves around Robert McBain (Christopher Walken), a former POW who is freed by a group of Army Rangers led by Santos (Chick Vennera) at the end of the Vietnam War. In a gesture of gratitude, Santos tears a $100 bill in half and gives one part to McBain, promising that if the other half ever finds him, he can repay the debt. Fast forward almost two decades later, Santos is killed in Colombia while fighting against drug lords and corrupt politicians. Santos' sister, Christina (Maria Conchita Alonso), comes to America with the other half of the $100 bill, seeking McBain's help in overthrowing the oppressive Colombian regime. What follows is an action-packed adventure completely devo...

From such early erotic classics as Maid In Sweden and Anita to her unforgettable performance in Thriller: A Cruel Picture, Christina Lindberg has captivated audiences for over 50 years, and now she returns to the screen courtesy of writer/director Adrian Garcia Bogliano in the psychedelic shocker Black Circle, coming to Standard Edition (no Slipcover) Blu-ray from Synapse Films on September 5, 2023! Two sisters, Celeste and Isa, fall under the terrifying spell of a mysterious vinyl record from the 1970s. Used to help with stress and bring the listener to a state of calming self-hypnosis, the recording has the unfortunate side-effect of manifesting a doppelganger of the listener into our world. This “double” then grows stronger by the day to copy and take over the life of the person who played the vinyl.  Seeking the help of the woman who originally created the recording, hypnotist Lena Carlsson (Christina Lindberg, Thriller: A Cruel Picture), Celeste and Isa try to banish the doppe...

A staple of video stores and cable TV throughout the 1990s, director James Glickenhaus’ McBAIN remains a favorite of action movie fans everywhere thanks to its terrific cast (led by Oscar-winner Christopher Walken), spectacular stunts and over-the-top action.  One of the most demanded titles in Synapse Films’ history, MCBAIN finally arrives on Blu-ray this July to make this the most explosive summer ever for action fans everywhere! When prisoner of war Robert McBain (Academy Award winner Christopher Walken, The Deer Hunter) is rescued in the jungles of North Vietnam by a group of Rangers, he expresses his thanks and gratitude. The leader of the Rangers, Santos (Chick Vennera), takes out a $100 bill, tears it in two, gives half to McBain and says, “If the other half of this bill ever finds you, you can pay me back.” Eighteen years later, Santos is killed in Colombia while leading a fight against drug lords and corrupt politicians. His sister, Christina (Maria Conchita Alonso, Predat...

  Synapse Films/DiabolikDVD Limited Slipcover Exclusive Only 1000 Slipcovers Available!   From such early erotic classics as Maid In Sweden and Anita to her unforgettable performance in Thriller: A Cruel Picture, Christina Lindberg has captivated audiences for over 50 years, and now she returns to the screen courtesy of writer/director Adrian Garcia Bogliano in the psychedelic shocker Black Circle, available now on Blu-ray in a Limited Edition Slipcover from Synapse Films and DiabolikDVD!   Two sisters, Celeste and Isa, fall under the terrifying spell of a mysterious vinyl record from the 1970s. Used to help with stress and bring the listener to a state of calming self-hypnosis, the recording has the unfortunate side-effect of manifesting a doppelganger of the listener into our world. This “double” then grows stronger by the day to copy and take over the life of the person who played the vinyl.    Seeking the help of the woman who originally created the recordin...