Reviving ’80s Celluloid Magic: Arrow’s Empire of Screams

Read Time:7 Minute, 40 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Enter the Video Store: Empire of Screams
The Dungeonmaster (Ragewar)  –
Dolls  –
Cellar Dweller  –
Arena  –
Robot Jox  –

Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Thriller
Year Released: 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1989, 2023 Arrow Video Blu-ray boxset
Runtime: 7h 7m
Director(s): Peter Manoogian, John Carl Buechler, Stuart Gordon, David Allen, Charles Band
Writer(s): Charles Band, Ed Naha, Don Mancini, Danny Bilson, Stuart Gordon
Cast: Paul Satterfield, Claudia Christian, Yvonne De Carlo, Debrah Farentino, Ian Patrick Williams, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, Jeffrey Byron, Leslie Wing, Gary Graham, Anne-Marie Johnson
Where To Watch: available June 27, 2023, pre-order www.arrowvideo.com, www.mvdshop.com, or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: As we step into the time machine of film, a treasure chest from Arrow Video awaits us, radiating the allure of '80s celluloid magic. It contains a quirky quintet of cinema from the vigilant gaze of the innovative Charles Band, the pillar behind Empire International Pictures. ENTER THE VIDEO STORE – EMPIRE OF SCREAMS is a trip back in time featuring THE DUNGEONMASTER (RAGEWAR), DOLLS, CELLAR DWELLER, ARENA, and ROBOT JOX. These classic gems from the past serve as an open invitation to the movie kingdom of the '80s.

THE DUNGEONMASTER sets the stage; we get the unexpected journey of Paul, the quintessential 1980s computer geek (my hero!) This film intertwines science and fantasy, where CAL, an AI entity, helps Paul along his unique journey. The coexistence of human emotions and artificial intellect forms the narrative's core, offering an intriguing juxtaposition that stirs the viewing experience. This film acts as a strong echo from the past, guiding us through various dimensions of storytelling. It's like channel hopping between WEIRD SCIENCE and CONAN, resulting in a cinematic joyride steeped in nostalgia. The film works well because it’s an anthology-style film with a robust connecting thread.

Next, DOLLS, a film that I had fond childhood memories of (well, at least the VHS cover), stirs up a surprisingly grounded narrative around David Bower and his family, trapped in a house on a storm-ridden night. Their encounter with an eerie host turns dark, showcasing Band's early knack for instilling life into inanimate figures. Though it might not be the set's shining star, it accentuates the intriguing facets of Band's approach.

CELLAR DWELLER transports us to a gloomy artist's workshop haunted by past tragedies. The film dazzles with impressive special effects and striking costumes. The film's highlight is, without question, the Dweller himself, a fun and grotesque example of what amazing practical effects can accomplish. There are a few stumbles in its narrative pacing, but still charming in its unique way.

ARENA comes up next, blending a ROCKY-inspired plot with a STAR WARS-like universe. Its economic limitations and occasional tonal slips are apparent, but the film is fun, and ultimately that’s what matters in the end with something like this. It leaves an unforgettable imprint of '80s nostalgia, honoring Band's brief yet influential reign over Empire. This is one of those films you find yourself invested in far more than expected.

Rounding up the collection is ROBOT JOX, a spectacle crafted with heart; the film tries to be almost too serious but unintentionally dated itself. The film has inspired other films in the future while taking inspiration from those of the past, a mix of REAL STEEL, meets PACIFIC RIM, meets GUNDAM. Set in a post-apocalyptic landscape, it highlights battles between massive fighting machines. Its combination of stop-motion animation and CGI alongside a dash of outer space sequences ensures an engaging and memorable watch.

The collective viewing of these films gives a fascinating glimpse into Band's creative prowess. The films, each encompassing unique cinematic worlds, hint at a potential for interlinked narratives, thereby adding layers to the viewing experience. Although I’m sure that wasn’t Band’s intention, he pursued that idea later in his career.

An exciting trivia nugget is that the phrase "I reject your reality and substitute my own," popularly linked to Adam Savage, actually originates from THE DUNGEONMASTER. Given Savage's love for classic cinema and practical effects, this fun fact adds another layer of depth to the appreciation of these films.

In wrapping up, although each film in the collection possesses unique flavors, they all harmoniously pay tribute to a mesmerizing epoch of cinema, knitted together by Band's creative flair. Each film, with its strengths and shortcomings, contributes to the set's overall richness, making it an enticing treat for those who revel in '80s cinema. The collection, ENTER THE VIDEO STORE – EMPIRE OF SCREAMS, stands as a nostalgic nod to a crucial chapter in the annals of film history. Without a doubt, this is easily the most impressive boxset release of unrelated films that I’ve seen in some time!

LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS
– High Definition Blu-Ray (1080p) presentations of all five films
– Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
– Limited edition packaging featuring newly commissioned artwork by Laurie Greasley
– Reversible sleeves featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady
– Double-sided posters for each film featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Ilan Sheady
– 15 postcard-sized reproduction art cards
– Arrow Video store “membership card”
– An 80-page perfect bound book featuring new writing on the films by Lee Gambin, Dave Jay, Megan Navarro, and John Harrison, plus select archival material

DISC ONE – THE DUNGEONMASTER
– New 2K restoration by Arrow Films from the original negative
– Three different versions of the film via seamless branching: the US theatrical version (The Dungeonmaster), the pre-release version, and the international version (Ragewar)
– Original lossless mono audio
– New audio commentary with star Jeffrey Byron, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain
– I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own, a new interview with star Jeffrey Byron
– Theatrical trailers
– Image Gallery

DISC TWO – DOLLS
– New 2K restoration by Arrow Films from the original interpositive
– Original lossless stereo audio
– New audio commentary by David Decoteau, Empire alumnus and friend of Stuart Gordon
– Archive audio commentary with director Stuart Gordon and writer Ed Naha
– Archive audio commentary with cast members Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, Stephen Lee, Carrie Lorraine, and Ian Patrick Williams
– Assembling Dolls, a new interview with Lee Percy, editor of Dolls, Re-Animator, and From Beyond
– Toys of Terror: The Making of Dolls, an archive featurette with Gordon, Yuzna, Purdy-Gordon, Williams, Charles Band, and Gabe Bartalos
– Film-to-storyboard comparison
– Theatrical trailers
– Image Gallery

DISC THREE – CELLAR DWELLER
– Additional picture restoration by Arrow Films
– Original lossless stereo audio
– New audio commentary by special make-up effects artist Michael Deak who inhabited the Cellar Dweller creature suit, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain
– Grabbed by the Ghoulies, a new appreciation of John Carl Buechler, special make-up effects artist of many Empire Pictures films and director of Cellar Dweller, by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain
– Inside the Cellar, a new interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Deak
– Original sales sheet
– Original production notes
– VHS trailer
– Empire Pictures trailer reel
– Image galleries, including behind-the-scenes photos courtesy of special make-up effects artist Michael Deak

DISC FOUR – ARENA
– New 2K restoration by Arrow Films from the last known surviving 35mm elements
– Original lossless stereo audio
– New audio commentary with director Peter Manoogian, moderated by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain
– Alternative fullframe presentation
– Not His Arena, a new interview with co-screenwriter Danny Bilson
– Empire of Creatures, a new interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Deak
– Theatrical trailer
– Image Gallery

DISC FIVE – ROBOT JOX
– New 2K restoration by Arrow Films from the original negative
– Original lossless stereo audio
– Archive audio commentary with director Stuart Gordon
– Archive audio commentary with associate effects director Paul Gentry, mechanical effects artist Mark Rappaport, and stop-motion animator Paul Jessell
– Crash and Burn, a new interview with actor Gary Graham
– Her Name is Athena, a new Interview with actor Anne-Marie Johnson
– The Scale of Battle: David Allen and the FX of Robot Jox, a new appreciation of stop motion animator David Allen by those who knew him, featuring contributions from fellow visual effects artists Steve Burg, Yancy Calzeda, Paul Gentry, among others
– Looking Back, an archival interview with actor Paul Koslo
– Original sales sheet
– Original production notes
– Theatrical trailer
– Image galleries, including behind-the-scenes stills courtesy of associate effects director Paul Gentry

For more reviews, please visit – https://linktr.ee/Overlyhonestmoviereviews for more info.

Follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Find my social media accounts on most platforms simply by searching Overly Honest Movie Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of ARROW VIDEO/MVD ENTERTAINMENT]