Above the Knee (2025)

Amir (co-writer Freddy Singh) is obsessed with his left leg. Or rather, he's obsessed with having it removed, as he's convinced it's rotting and that he would be better off without it. On television he sees an interview with Rikke (Louise Waage Anda), a sufferer of Body Identity Dysmorphia, a condition in which individuals feel they should have been born blind despite being able to see (as in Rikke's case) or that they should be lacking a limb or other body part.

Having just gone back to work after being off sick due to what was thought to be a suicide attempt (but was actually a drunken attempt to saw his own leg off) Amir skives off to meet with Rikke and soon he's making plans to rid himself of his unwanted appendage, possibly with the unwitting assistance of his work colleague who likes rock climbing.

Directed and co-written by Viljar Bøe, who gave us Frightfest 2023's excellent twisted Inside No.9-style GOOD BOY, ABOVE THE KNEE offers us in Amir a central character whose life would actually be better if he could just be honest with his boss and his girlfriend and ask for help instead of fobbing them both off with excuses while indulging in time with Rikke. It's a concept that could easily have been played more for laughs but Boe keeps everything dead serious, offering a psychological drama  that will have you wondering where it's all leading.

Viljar Bøe's ABOVE THE KNEE screened at Frightfest in Discovery Screen 2 on Monday 25th August 2025. It's getting a Digital release from Blue Finch on Monday 8th September 2025

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966)

Arrow have released Sergio Leone's epic, intense conclusion to his 'Dollars' trilogy in a four disc set in both UHD and Blu-ray editions with the versions of the film included being new 4K restorations from the original 2-perf Techniscope negative.

Running close to three hours whichever version you watch (more about that in a minute), THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY essentially has a very simple plot: a cache of stolen gold coins worth $200 000 is buried in a cemetery and three men played by Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef and Eli Wallach are all after it while doing their best to deter and double cross each other along the way. 

But (and it's a big one), this story is played out against the backdrop of the American Civil War, depicted with the kind of  operatic grandeur and sweeping excess the likes of which we will likely never see filmed in quite this way ever again. Add in a memorable music score by Ennio Morricone (conducted by Bruno Nicolai) and arresting widescreen location photography and it's not surprising this one is so widely regarded as a classic. 

How about horror connections? Well in the cast we have Luigi Pistilli from YOUR VICE IS A LOCKED ROOM AND ONLY I HAVE THE KEY, TRAGIC CEREMONY and others, Frank Braña from RETURN OF THE EVIL DEAD, PIECES and SLUGS, Antonio Casale from AUTOPSY and WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO SOLANGE, and Victor Israel from every Spanish horror film ever (pretty much), while Sergio Salvati (Fulci's DP on THE BEYOND and others) was the assistant cameraman and Mickey Knox (STAGEFRIGHT AQUARIUS) worked on the English translation of the screenplay.

Arrow's set consists of four discs. Disc one has the 'International Cut' of the film which runs 162 minutes and has an invaluable commentary from Tim Lucas. Disc two has the 'Extended Cut' (179 minutes) which you can make run even longer if you opt for the 'extended torture' sequence of Eli Wallach or shorter if you prefer to leave out his scene in the grotto that was cut by Leone himself shortly after release. Commentary duties on this version are by Leone biographer Sir Christopher Frayling on one track and Eastwood biographer Richard Schickel on the other.

Disc three has enough extras to keep you busy for a weekend, with a vast amount of newly recorded material that includes film critic Fabio Melelli talking about the circular nature of the trilogy (19 minutes), Lee Van Cleef biographer Mike Malloy discussing the actor's contribution to the film (12 minutes), and interviews with co-writer Furio Scarpelli's son Giacomo (29 minutes), DP Tonino Delli Colli's son Stefano (22 minutes), production and costume designer Carlo Simi's daughter Giuditta (6 minutes), assistant cameraman Sergio Salvati (27 minutes), stuntman Fabio Testi (14 minutes), editor Eugenio Alabiso (28 minutes), post production supervisor Enzo Ocone (28 minutes), guitarist Bruno Battisti D'Amario (8 minutes), legendary vocalist Edda Dell'Orso (14 minutes) and Ennio Morricone biographer Alessandro de Rosa (28 minutes).

Lovely Jon contributes a fascinating 29 minute visual essay about the recording of the score, carefully and clearly relating the conflicting accounts of various personnel interviewed. As well as that all the extras from the previous 2003 MGM release have been ported over and there are the usual trailers and still galleries, Disc four is exclusive to Arrow's limited edition  and contains Sad Hill Unearthed, a 2017 documentary about efforts to restore the graveyard set along with a making of and other extras (not provided for review). Finally the set comes with a book with new writing on the film, a double sided poster and reversible sleeve.

Sergio Leone's THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY is out in a four disc limited edition set from Arrow in both UHD and Blu-ray editions now.

Blockhead (2025)

Six years ago Will Mercer (Danny Horn) had a huge award-winning hit with his first novel. Since then, however, things have been tough and he has made little progress on the follow-up. Advised to lock himself away to get his new book finished in a spare apartment owned by former author Maggie (Michele Moran), Will is surprised when handyman Mikey (Joe Sims) turns up to do some decorating. In addition to this Mikey is soon taking Will to the pub, 'sorting out' Will's enemies, and even making writing suggestions, but is Mikey all that he seems?

There's nothing especially new or original in BLOCKHEAD, the first feature from Matt Harlock of AMERICAN: THE BILL HICKS STORY documentary fame. However, if you like this kind of story it's absolutely fine, albeit done on a very small budget. Danny Horn does a good job as the increasingly insane writer and there are some good shots in here, suggesting that with a bigger budget and something perhaps a little more ambitious storywise Harlock's next project will be worth a look.

 

BLOCKHEAD received its world premiere on Discovery Screen 2 at Frightfest on Saturday 23rd August 2025

The Home (2025)

"Entertainingly Gory Horror from the Director of THE PURGE"

James DeMonaco's new film received its UK premiere as the opening movie of Frightfest 2025 and is now on digital release from Signature Entertainment, with a DVD and Blu-ray release to follow.

After the death of his brother when he was 11, the increasingly rebellious Max (Pete Davidson from BODIES BODIES BODIES) earns himself a prison sentence for repeated damage to property. However his foster father is able to have this reduced to community service, the twist being that it's at a residential home for the elderly where Max is to be the new supervisor.

Everything seems normal enough for the first couple of hours but something very strange indeed is happening at Max's new place of employment. Who are the mysterious wheelchair-bound residents of the fourth floor? Why are certain rooms in the basement locked? And why is Max having trouble sleeping?

For the first two thirds of its 97 minute running time THE HOME is evocative of 1980s Italian horror cinema with its frequent grotesque imagery that sometimes is in Max's imagination but at other times definitely isn't. It's in the final act that everything goes pleasingly haywire, but to say any more would be to spoil the fun. THE HOME doesn't quite have the political punch or social commentary of his PURGE movies (although it's definitely there, you just have to dig a little deeper) but it's still an entertaining ride, helped immensely by having some familiar character actors including John Glover (GREMLINS 2 & IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS) and Ethan Phillips (THE PURGE: ELECTION YEAR and STAR TREK: VOYAGER) playing some of the inmates of the home. Here's a trailer:

James DeMonaco's THE HOME had its UK premiere at Frightfest 2025, is now on digital from Signature Entertainment, and will have its DVD and Blu-ray release on Monday 29th September 2025

Meanwhile On Earth aka Pendant Ce Temps Sur Terre (2025)

        It's time for a bit of quiet French science fiction as writer director Jérémy Clapin's first live action feature film gets a release from Blue Finch. His previous work has been in animation and there's a bit of that in here, too.

It's three years since 23 year old Elsa (Megan Northam) lost her brother Frank (Sébastien Pouderoux) on a space mission that disappeared. She spends her days working in a care home run by her mother and staring at the statue of Frank that has been erected on a nearby roundabout. 

But perhaps all is not lost. One night while outside Elsa is contacted by a voice claiming to be one of five alien beings who have her brother. He's safe but they will only release him if she will find human bodies for each of them to occupy. They allow her to speak to Frank to prove his existence and after that it's up to her to decide if she is willing to pay the aliens' price.

The opening act of MEANWHILE ON EARTH plays like a fairy tale of a girl whose brother has been kidnapped by goblins and she has to follow a path into the woods (and chop a tree down) to gain the clues needed to get him back. After that the film continues like the ultra low budget piece of quiet SF that it is. There are no action sequences or explosions here, although there is one gory bit with a chainsaw. 

Peppered throughout the 90 minute runtime are short pieces of animation to illustrate Elsa's dreams of what meeting her brother again might be like and the whole endeavour is charming enough that if you fancy a low-key tale about a possible alien invasion MEANWHILE ON EARTH does the job. Here's the trailer:

Jérémy Clapin's MEANWHILE ON EARTH is out on digital platforms from Blue Finch Releasing on Monday 25th August 2025

The Innkeepers (2012)

Writer-director (and editor) Ti West's follow up to his 2009 HOUSE OF THE DEVIL is now getting a posh Second Sight release in a limited edition including the film on 4K UHD and Blu-ray as well as separate standard releases on both formats.

Claire (Sara Paxton) and Luke (Pat Healy) are looking after the soon-to-close Yankee Pedlar Inn for the weekend while the owner is in Barbados. As well as needing the money, the two of them have another reason to be there: they are amateur ghost hunters and the hotel is allegedly haunted by a woman who hanged herself there when she was jilted on her wedding day after which her body was hidden in the cellar.

The hotel only has a couple of guests including former TV star-turned 'healer' Leanne Rease-Jones (Kelly McGillis) and as night falls and strange things start to manifest it appears the hotel may actually be haunted after all, and not everyone may make it out alive.

THE INNKEEPERS received its UK premiere at 2012's Frightfest on the main Empire screen, one of the biggest in the country, but it's actually a lot better suited to being watched on TV at home. In fact, the opening half an hour has the distinctive feel of an old episode of Night Gallery or a Brian Clemens Thriller episode, only shot in 2.35:1 aspect ratio. It's been described as 'slow burn' which it is, but West displays considerable skill in priming the viewer to develop a gradually increasing sense of discomfort through camera angles, lighting, and a gag at the start played by Healy on Paxton after which you can't help but watch what follows in a particular way.

As is always the case with Second Sight's releases, THE INNKEEPERS is packed with extras, including two commentary tracks, both with Ti West. The first also has producers Larry Fessenden and Peter Phok and sound designer Graham Reznick, the second has West with Paxton and Healy. There are some excellent interviews with West (15 minutes), Healy (30 minutes) and especially Larry Fessenden who talks about all of the West films he has produced (31 minutes), as well as DP Eliot Rockett (10 minutes), composer Jeff Grace (8 minutes) and line producer Jacob Jaffke (14 minutes).

There are also seven minutes of behind the scenes footage and a trailer. Finally the limited edition also comes with a 120 page book featuring new writing on the film, six art cards and a slipcase.

Ti West's THE INNKEEPERS is out in limited (4K UHD and Blu-ray) and standard separate 4K UHD and Blu-ray editions on Monday 25th August 2025

Red Sonja (2025)

If you're nuts about sword and sorcery movies chances are you'll enjoy the new RED SONJA, which we were treated to a Bristol MegaScreen big screen showing of last night. The photography is frequently gorgeous, there are some nice bits of production design, and the world building is a lot of fun, suggesting a land filled with weird creatures and a world of men powered by arcane devices rather than magic. 

        It's the standard plot: all-powerful villain wants the thing, hero has to stop him getting the thing, with the help of an unruly but likeable band acquired during the journey, and if that's what you fancy then you'll be happy. However, if you want something a bit more, or if you're a fan of the Robert E Howard-inspired character from the books (and the comics, apparently), you may find yourself having less of a good time. 

The biggest problem with RED SONJA is the casting, in particular the lead. To play a Robert E Howard hero you ideally need both physical presence and the ability to evoke the magnetism necessary to have your audience believe you could be a leader in a brutal world of gods and monsters. Unfortunately Mathilda Lutz possesses neither in sufficient quantities to make her believable in the role. Of course it doesn't help that we are expected to accept her as a great warrior when she has seemingly spent most of her life faffing about in a forest with her horse. 

Similarly, Robert Sheehan, an actor I like a lot, has quite a bit of fun with his role as the evil Emperor but it's far harder to believe his character could have ascended to such a position on sheer graft alone, as opposed to Eddie 'Does it hurt, mother?' Redmayne's baddie in JUPITER ASCENDING who got there by birthright. Best sword 'n' sorcery performance of the entire film is Wallis Day as the evil Empress-to-be who plays it as mad and obsessed, frequently talking to the demons in her head when she's not whacking people with her massive swords. She's the only one in this film whose characterisation approaches that of the characters of Howard, Karl Edward Wagner et al and she would have been a much better lead, although presumably a less marketable one.

The fight scenes are good, the music needs the kick up its arse that most modern movie music does (do they not teach Jerry Goldsmith 101 in film music school anymore?), and while some reviews have called the film out over an overly long running time (close on two hours) I'll admit I enjoyed this sufficiently that I was surprised when it was obviously close to the end. 

        RED SONJA is going straight to digital in the UK which is a bit of a shame as, for all its faults, it looked fantastic on the biggest screen it is ever going to play on according to director and special guest MJ Bassett. It's nowhere near as good as Bassett's 2009 SOLOMON KANE which also played last night, also looked fantastic, and which I have always been happy to defend as one of the best sword and sorcery films out there. Having James Purefoy along for a Q&A with Bassett helped make the event special as well. If you're pining for something epic with swordplay and monsters RED SONJA may well fit the bill for a quiet evening, but don't expect too much. Here's the trailer:

MJ Bassett's RED SONJA is out on digital platforms from Signature Entertainment from Monday 18th August 2025. It's getting a Blu-ray and DVD release on Monday 8th September 2026

Aguirre, The Wrath of God 4K (1972)

 

Werner’s Herzog’s classic up-the-creek-without-a-paddle tale of 16th century Spaniards and their doomed search along the Amazon for the mythical city of Eldorado is getting a new 4K UHD and Blu-ray release from the BFI, with a couple of new extras in addition to those ported over from their previous Blu.

A group of Spanish conquistadores cross the mountains of Peru and descend with the intention of travelling along the Amazon (with cannons, horses and everything else the Spanish nobility travelling with them might need) on rafts they have built. We the viewers know they’re onto a loser right from the start but it’s only a couple of minutes in, when the camera catches sight of star, frequent Herzog collaborator, and all round uncontrollable loony Klaus Kinski, that we know they’re utterly doomed. 

What follows is seriously great (and often seriously hard to believe they actually did it) film-making, as the intrepid group pushes ever onwards, losing men, women and sanity along the way. Except for Klaus of course, who’s already several sandwiches short of the picnic he’s forgotten to bring and doing his best to scare the hell out of anyone within a hundred mile radius with his contagious madness. By the end he’s chasing monkeys, planning to marry his daughter, and still insisting the few remaining members of his band pilot their hopeless little raft on to inevitable destruction and death. 

From its breathtaking opening shot, AGUIRRE is never anything less than mesmerising. We’re with this doomed band of explorers all the way, through death and disease, hallucinations and madness towards the inevitable conclusion, and the film is a fascinating, and almost hypnotic, experience that rewards repeat viewings.

The BFI's new 4K restoration (2160p) presented in Dolby Vision is a leap in picture clarity and quality from the BFI's previous Blu-ray release, which is still entirely adequate, but if you want the best and most vivid transfer this is definitely the way to go. Audio options have been retained, with mono audio tracks available in both German and English, with a 5.1 surround sound option mix in German as well. 

Extras new to this release release consist of a three minute introduction by Mark Kermode and a decent 19 minute piece from film historian Nic Wassell that concentrates on AGUIRRE but takes in other Herzog / Kinski projects as well. Other extras have been ported over from the BFI's Blu-ray release, including a trailer and a host of short subjects: The Unprecedented Defence of the Fortress Deutschkreuz (1967), Last Words (1968), and Precautions Against Fanatics (1969). Also included is the weird and hallucinatory feature-length FATA MORGANA (1971). Consisting mainly of wide sweeping vistas of the Sahara, Algiers and Lanzarote before it became a tourist destination, FATA MORGANA looks even better on the UHD disc. The commentary track with Herzog and Crispin Glover has been retained and the Herzog AGUIRRE commentary is present and correct as well. The disc also comes with an illustrated booklet with new writing on the film by Geoff Andrew as well as archival essays.

Werner Herzog's AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD is out in a 4K restoration on UHD and Blu-ray on Monday 25th August 2025