Vestron Video has been a leader in providing the most unique and wide-ranging selection of films. We honor the spirit of Vestron Video by presenting the Vestron Video Collectors Series – a line of classic genre films newly remastered and with a wealth of supplementary features. –Lionsgate
Lionsgate is throwing the doors open and at long last are releasing some long sought after cult/horror titles under a new label Vestron Video Collector’s Series. The first two films, Chopping Mall and Blood Diner, are releasing next week. Both titles are making their blu-ray debuts with these releases and fans are clamoring with excitement.
I was lucky enough to score a copy of the first two releases so let’s give them a look to see if they’re worth your money. This is the first time I have seen either of these films so I won’t be watching them with nostalgia glasses so take that into account as you read on.
First up is Chopping Mall.
From the box:
The future has arrived at the Park Plaza Mall where state-of-the-art security robots are installed as the new automated “night watchmen.” When an errant bolt of lightning short circuits the main com;uter control, these protector robots turn into “killbots”…on the loose and hunting for human lives! Directed by Jim Wynorski (The Return of Swamp Thing), CHOPPING MALL (aka Killbots) is one of the most beloved cult classics of the 1980s, and is presented here fully restored from original negative materials and loaded with a shopping cart full of killer bonus features.
CHOPPING MALL BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
THREE AUDIO COMMENTARIES:
• Director/Co-Writer Jim Wynorski, Actress Kelli Maroney, and Co-Writer/2nd Unit Director Steve Mitchell
• Historians/Authors Nathaniel Thompson (Mondo Video) and Ryan Turek (Shock Till You Drop)
• Director/Co-Writer Jim Wynorski and Co-Writer/2nd Unit Director Steve Mitchell
FEATURETTES:
• “Back to the Mall”
• “Chopping Chopping Mall”
• “The Killbots”
• “Scoring Chopping Mall”
• “The Robot Speaks”
• “The Lost Scene”
• “Army of One”
• “Chopping Mall: Creating the Killbots”
• Isolated Score Track by Chuck Cirino
• Trailer
Like I said before, I’d never seen this movie before I watched it on this blu-ray. It was definitely one of those VHS boxes that I saw browsing the blockbuster shelves that I was never able to get my hands on for whatever reason. It’s cover art was iconic that’s for sure and it’s definitely a title that has been much in demand for a release in HD. Thankfully, it’s here and it’s a pretty great release.
I had a blast with this movie. It’s fun start to finish and Lionsgate has done an absolute stellar job with the remastering. It really looks like a brand new film (clothes and hair aside). There is a reason that this one was in such high demand and this release is really given the attention it deserves.
They didn’t stop with just the excellent remastering. Lionsgate has also loaded this release with special features including a bevy of featurettes, three commentaries, and more.
Chopping Mall is a wonderful entry in the 80s horror cannon and this is a great way to kick off what is looking to be an exciting line-up of horror classics (upcoming titles include Waxworks, Return of the Living Dead 3, and CHUD 2). A great first release packed with features and a great flick to boot.
Next up, Blood Diner.
From the box:
Grab a table at the BLOOD DINER – a cut above the rest! The Namtut Brothers run the most popular restaurant in town. Popular, that is, if you’re the county coroner! The “Head” chef has a real human touch with this special recipes – a killer line-up of delicacies made from human flesh! One of the most insane and over-the-top horror comedies ever made, BLOOD DINER is presented here fully uncut, restored from original vault materials, and features a buffet of tasty new supplemental features you’ll just die for.
BLOOD DINER BLU-RAY SPECIAL FEATURES:
• AUDIO COMMENTARY with Director Jackie Kong
FEATURETTES:
• “Queen Kong”
• “The Cook, The Uncle, and The Detective”
• “Scoring for Sheetar!”
• “Open for Business”
• “You Are What They Eat”
• “Archival Interview with Project Consultant Eric Caidin”
• Theatrical Trailer
• TV Spots
• Stills Gallery
I’ll admit not only to never having seen Blood Diner but not really ever having heard of it either. Some might consider this a crime as a horror fan, I would have considered it lucky because this film is TERRIBLE. Calling it a “horror comedy” does absolutely nothing to save it from being nearly unwatchable. That said, people out there love it and are screaming in joy that it’s getting a blu-ray release. I had to force myself to finish it so take it as you wish.
The release though, movie aside, is pretty great. The film does look great on this disc. Like Chopping Mall the picture is gorgeous and it is loaded with features. Unfortunately, my dislike of the movie made for a severe lack of interest in them. I just couldn’t find a single thing redeeming about this movie. It’s a complete and total mess.
I know there is a lot of love for this film so don’t take my opinion of it as gospel. If you like silly (god so silly) gory movies, then by all means check it out. It’s definitely got its place in horror history and it has its fans. Those fans will certainly be pleased with this release and it’s great supplements.
For me, Blood Diner is as bad as Chopping Mall is good, but the release as a whole is really well done so I wouldn’t exactly tell you to skip it. Especially, since these releases are numbered and having my shelf go 1, 3, 4, 5, would drive me bananas.
Blood Diner the Film gets 1 star but the blu-ray release in it’s entirety?
Chopping Mall and Blood Diner hit stores on September 27.
Garon Cockrell is the Founder and Editor of Pop Culture Beast and host of The Pop Culture Beast Show. He founded the site over seven years ago to have a place on the internet to write about the things he loved. Since then, Garon has become a best-selling author (Demonic and Other Tales), an award winning screenwriter (Best Screenplay 2013 Motor City Nightmares Film Festival), and a cast member on the top rated podcast, Never Not Funny.