Synapse Films

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Adam X
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:04 am

Re: Synapse Films

#276 Post by Adam X » Thu Sep 10, 2020 3:30 pm

Mondo Macabro wrote:From what we hear there are good reasons Synapse isn't doing [Lemora]. It's not out of disinterest in the film.

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Dylan
Joined: Tue Nov 02, 2004 9:28 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#277 Post by Dylan » Sat Sep 19, 2020 1:18 pm

Synapse provided updates on some previously announced titles that have taken more time to finish than they anticipated. No further explanation on what happened to Lemora, but another film starring Cheryl "Rainbeaux" Smith called Massacre at Central High - which I've never seen - is coming soon.

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domino harvey
Dot Com Dom
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Re: Synapse Films

#278 Post by domino harvey » Sat Sep 19, 2020 2:29 pm

Believe it or not, Ebert named it as one of his guilty pleasures on a special episode of their show

black&huge
Joined: Tue Dec 26, 2017 5:35 am

Re: Synapse Films

#279 Post by black&huge » Sat Sep 19, 2020 3:57 pm

good to hear official news on massacre at central high. I remember when it was rumored over a decade ago that Criterion had the rights and meant to release it in the Eclipse line

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#280 Post by dwk » Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:20 am

Flower and Snake (1974) Blu-ray is coming out on March 16, 2021.

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colinr0380
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:30 pm
Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, UK

Re: Synapse Films

#281 Post by colinr0380 » Thu Oct 15, 2020 12:52 pm

dwk wrote:
Sat Oct 10, 2020 10:20 am
Flower and Snake (1974) Blu-ray is coming out on March 16, 2021.
That is interesting news. So that will be the third of the Nikkatsu Roman Porno line to reach Blu-ray after Fairy In A Cage from a few years back and the recently released Love Hunter. I have not seen it but Flower & Snake is one of the more famous titles of the whole Roman Porno series (it also got 'rebooted' post-Nikkatsu Roman Porno with the Toei produced Flower & Snake in 2004 and its 2005 sequel both directed by Takashi Ishii, then Part 3 in 2010 and Flower & Snake: Zero in 2014. Which could be an interesting subject for an Arrow boxset! :wink: ), it being part of the small run of films within the series that were bondage and S&M focused. Most of these titles (including Fairy In A Cage) star Naomi Tani, who appears to have been the most game actress for doing all of the shenanigans involving being trussed up in knots and hung from the ceiling.

Amusingly I don't have Flower & Snake but I do have a DVD-R copy of the other just as notorious film starring Naomi Tani and directed by Masaru Konuma that was made in the same year, Wife To Be Sacrificed, which I came into possession of after David Cairns posted it to me because he 'did not want a film like that to remain in his house'! I could not refuse an offer like that! I suppose that at the very least these films show that something like In The Realm Of The Senses did not just appear fully formed out of nowhere. The Oshima film just added hardcore and a bit of a political metaphor to similar material!

Masaru Konuma is quite an interesting figure in Nikkatsu's series, doing his best work in the historically set sex films (Amusingly given that Konuma mostly worked with much more edgy material one of the only Roman Porno films to ever be shown on UK television, at least so far, was his 1973 film Afternoon Affair: Kyoto Tapestry on Channel 4 around 2000) and his career spanned the entire Roman Porno period from 1971 to 1988 doing a bit of every genre, even though he is most associated with the Naomi Tani S&M films (Tattooed Flower Vase being their other notable collaboration), ranging from the more tamer pieces (like Kyoto Tapestry) to the really rough shot on video pretty much hardcore occurring underneath the optical censoring films such as the worryingly grubby Woman In A Box and its sequel. He even apparently helmed a hardcore version of La Ronde in the final year of Roman Porno!


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Adam X
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:04 am

Re: Synapse Films

#283 Post by Adam X » Wed Nov 18, 2020 5:20 pm

I like Synapse’s recent approach of suddenly springing a long-in-gestation title on everyone, somewhat unannounced. Been looking forward to this one. Everything else I’ve seen by Rene Daalder’s been at the very least an interesting failure (at worst) if not outright wonderful (at best).

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#284 Post by dwk » Wed Jun 02, 2021 12:22 am

For those that missed (or skipped) the Arrow Demons/Demons 2 UHD, Don May, Jr posted the following on his instagram
This past weekend was the 35th anniversary of the U.S. theatrical release of Lamberto Bava's amazing DEMONS. Wouldn't it be awesome if Synapse was to re-release DEMONS, in 4K and remastered Blu-ray, with more awesome extras, multiple versions and fancily pack it in with the underrated sequel with a lot of extras, too? Boy, that would be swell, wouldn't it? Let me give that some thought, OK? #demons #demons2 #lambertobava @gerettageretta

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colinr0380
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 4:30 pm
Location: Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire, UK

Re: Synapse Films

#285 Post by colinr0380 » Sun Jun 20, 2021 8:42 am

Some exciting news about the latest entry in Synapse/Impulse Pictures line of Nikkatsu Roman Porno releases is that one of the most notorious titles of the entire run of the series (mostly based on its controversial in the West title) the captivity sex-horror film, Star of David: Beauty Hunting (very NSFW!) has been announced to come out in both Blu-ray and DVD versions on 5th October. This formed the centrepiece of the chapter on Japanese erotic cinema in Pete Tombs' Mondo Macabro book from the mid-1990s, which featured an eye-opening detailed synopsis of the film that has made me both curious and terrified to track it down ever since due to how bleakly, devastatingly cynical it sounds!

This is also going to be the first release in the series that is going to include extra features beyond a theatrical trailer (even Jasper Sharp tailed off on writing liner notes for these titles after the first couple of dozen!), as this is apparently going to include both a video interview and commentary track from the director Norifumi Suzuki.

Suzuki has been quite well represented on disc in the US in the mid 2000s DVD era but only really with his early 1970s work with Toei that came before his Nikkatsu period - if you ever had that Pinky Violence Collection on DVD from Panik House back in the day (the one with the squashy cover!) which presented isolated entries from multiple film 'girl gang' action titles that Toei produced in the early 1970s, that includes two films helmed by Suzuki in the form of Lynch Law Classroom (part of the Terrifying Girls' High School series) and the first entry in the Girl Boss Guerilla series (which Suzuki helmed three entries of). Panik House also did a separate release of Sex & Fury and Cult Epics brought out a disc of one of the other films that Suzuki is best known for, one of the few Japanese entries into the Catholic 'naughty nun' nunsploitation genre of the time with School of the Holy Beast.

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#286 Post by dwk » Tue Jun 29, 2021 11:21 am

And here are the specs for Synapse's DEMONS/DEMONS 2 UHD set
THIS 6000 PIECE LIMITED EDITION CONTAINS:

New 4K restorations of both Demons and Demons 2 from the original 35mm camera negatives! ∙ 4K (2160p) UHD Blu-ray™ presentations of both films in Dolby Vision (HDR10 compatible) ∙ Limited edition 0-Card/Slipcover packaging featuring new artwork by Juan José Saldarriaga and Chris MacGibbon ∙ Reproduction of the original movie ticket from Demons ∙ A special Demons 2 birthday party invitation ∙ Included fold-out poster of Demons artwork from Wes Benscoter ∙ Reversible Cover Art ∙ 4K UHD All-region playback

DISC 1 (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY) DEMONS
  • Two versions of the film: the full-length original cut in English and Italian, and the shorter U.S. version featuring alternate dubbing and sound effects
  • Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes on the original cut derived from the archival audio masters
  • Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 U.S. theatrical mono audio newly remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films
  • New audio commentary by critics Kat Ellinger and Heather Drain, co-hosts of the Hell’s Belles podcast
  • Audio commentary with director Lamberto Bava, SPFX artist Sergio Stivaletti, composer Claudio Simonetti and actress Geretta Geretta
  • Produced by Dario Argento: a new visual essay by author and critic Michael Mackenzie exploring the legendary filmmaker’s career as a producer
  • Dario’s Demon Days: interview with writer/producer Dario Argento
  • Defining an Era in Music: interview with Claudio Simonetti
  • Splatter Spaghetti Style: interview with long-time Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi
  • Carnage at the Cinema: Lamberto Bava and His Splatter Masterpiece
  • Dario and Demons: Producing Monster Mayhem
  • Monstrous Memories: Luigi Cozzi on Demons
  • Profondo Jones: The Critical Perspective
  • Splatter Stunt Rock: interview with Ottaviano Dell’Acqua
  • Stivaletti Q & A at the 2019 UK ‘Festival of Fantastic Films’
  • Original Italian and English international theatrical trailers
  • U.S. theatrical trailer
  • Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version
  • Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version
DISC 2 (4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY) DEMONS 2
  • Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 5.1 & Italian 5.1/2.0 audio mixes derived from the original archival audio masters
  • Uncompressed DTS-HD MA English 2.0 true stereo theatrical mix remastered in 2021 by Synapse Films
  • New audio commentary by film critic Travis Crawford
  • Bava to Bava: interview with Luigi Cozzi on the history of Italian horror
  • Creating Creature Carnage: interview with Sergio Stivaletti
  • Demonic Influences: Federico Zampaglione Speaks
  • The ‘Demons’ Generation: Roy Bava discusses a legacy in lacerations
  • The New Blood of Italian Horror featuring Sergio Stivaletti
  • Screaming for a Sequel: The Delirious Legacy of DEMONS 2 with Lamberto Bava
  • A Soundtrack for Splatter: interview with composer Simon Boswell
  • Together and Apart: a new visual essay on the space and technology in DEMONS and DEMONS 2 by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
  • Original Italian and English theatrical trailers
  • Newly translated optional English SDH subtitles for the English version
  • Newly translated English subtitles for the Italian version

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#287 Post by dwk » Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:33 am

The Kindred limited edition steelbook is available to order at Synapse and Diabolik.

Glowingwabbit
Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 1:27 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#288 Post by Glowingwabbit » Thu Oct 14, 2021 1:33 pm

dwk wrote:
Thu Oct 14, 2021 11:33 am
The Kindred limited edition steelbook is available to order at Synapse and Diabolik.
I really wish they would stop with these steelbook exclusives. Do people still want steelbooks? The fact that they are selling for more than UHD releases also seems crazy to me (at Diabolik, this is $3 less than their Demons 1 & 2 UHD release :-k ).

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Adam X
Joined: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:04 am

Re: Synapse Films

#289 Post by Adam X » Thu Oct 14, 2021 2:55 pm

It’s simply to aid in recouping the cost of the efforts put into releasing these films. If you don’t want the steelbook or aren’t willing to pay the premium, then you’ll need to wait until a standard release follows once the limited edition sells out. Though as has been noted elsewhere, their last couple of releases after this fashion have yet to do so.

It works for them, just as the limited packaging works for pretty much every other independent label. I can’t see that changing soon, unless everyone stops buying them.

By the way, the Demons set is not a fair comparison, as they’re using Arrow’s masters. The Kindred, on the other hand, took 17yrs to release, a protracted court case and a 4K restoration. Very much looking forward to finally seeing this.

Glowingwabbit
Joined: Wed May 01, 2013 1:27 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#290 Post by Glowingwabbit » Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:33 pm

Yeah I would have no problem.waiting if a standard edition would follow but as you mentioned it hasn't for the last few releases.

I do wish they had an LE that wasn't a steelbook like other companies though because it's less the price for me than the fact that steelbooks are just unattractive. But whatever I hope it's a big seller for them because I know they put a lot of work into it.

Edit: I did forget about Demons being special so that was a bad example.

M Sanderson
Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2016 3:43 am

Re: Synapse Films

#291 Post by M Sanderson » Thu Oct 14, 2021 4:47 pm

Is The Kindred so sought after because it has a following, or has its unavailability made it special?

Have to say I’ve not seen it since the video rental days & I found it good. But it’s not like I’ve yearned for it, since.

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L.A.
Joined: Thu May 28, 2009 7:33 am
Location: Helsinki, Finland

Re: Synapse Films

#292 Post by L.A. » Fri Nov 12, 2021 3:17 pm


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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#293 Post by dwk » Fri Nov 12, 2021 3:26 pm

Given the issues with the lunatic director, this is a surprise.

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The Elegant Dandy Fop
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:25 am
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Re: Synapse Films

#294 Post by The Elegant Dandy Fop » Fri Nov 12, 2021 5:55 pm

dwk wrote:
Fri Nov 12, 2021 3:26 pm
Given the issues with the lunatic director, this is a surprise.
Do tell! I am curious as I know nothing about this.

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#295 Post by dwk » Fri Nov 12, 2021 6:53 pm

When Kill Bill was getting released,Tarantino noted that Thriller was an influence on the film and Bo Arne Vibenius, thinking he could make even more money if he licensed the film to someone else, started to claim that Synapse's DVD was a bootleg. Synapse went ahead with their release and Vibenius started to send them threatening letters/faxes, sometimes under fake names claiming to be a lawyer. (I recall Don May Jr has said that Vibenius even claimed to know George W Bush and that Don May Jr and Synapse were going to get in trouble from the US Government if they didn't halt the DVD.)

Here is a YouTube interview where Don May Jr talks about the situation

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#296 Post by dwk » Tue Feb 01, 2022 2:11 pm

The Living Dead At Manchester Morgue is getting a wide-release (non-steelbook) Blu-ray on June 7th.

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Finch
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Re: Synapse Films

#297 Post by Finch » Fri Apr 29, 2022 1:31 pm

Synapse releasing Tenebrae in an identical package to Arrow's UHD (their second collaboration after Phenomena) in the US, only difference being the artwork (and possibly the encoding? I haven't been able to find out if the same authoring house did Phenomena for both labels).

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#298 Post by dwk » Fri Apr 29, 2022 3:01 pm

The discs are 100% identical, which is why Synapse's UHD dropped a couple of extras that were on their Phenomena Blu-ray, most notably Dario Argento's World of Horror.

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dwk
Joined: Sat Jun 12, 2010 6:10 pm

Re: Synapse Films

#299 Post by dwk » Thu May 05, 2022 5:15 pm

Synapse tweeted that they are going to announce a standard edition of Massacre at Central High soon.

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swo17
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Re: Synapse Films

#300 Post by swo17 » Thu May 05, 2022 5:17 pm

Figures, I just ordered the LE days ago

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