Search

Release: January 30, 2018

$7.99

Description

Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. Leon Issac Kennedy stars as Martel Gordone who, after unwittingly getting involved with a prostitute and attempting to save her from being assaulted by a John, which turns deadly, finds himself charged with a murder he didn't commit. Locked up in the state penitentiary, Martel is forced to fend for himself among hardened criminals, until he's introduced to the underground and lucrative world of in-prison boxing. Director Jamaa Fanaka's breakout action hit, PENITENTIARY, remains one of the seminal late period 'Blaxploitation' films. Gritty, violent, and maddeningly entertaining, Vinegar Syndrome presents the Blu-ray debut of this genre film classic, newly restored in 4k from its original 35mm camera negative and filled with both all new and archival interviews with its cast and crew. Bonus Features: 1. Newly scanned and restored in 4k from the 35mm original camera negative 2. Archival commentary track with Jamaa Fanaka (writer / producer / director) 3. Commentary track with Sergio Mims (second assistant director) 4. "Too Sweet for Penitentiary" - interview with Leon Isaac Kennedy (lead actor) 5. "Filming Penitentiary" - interview with Marty Ollstein (cinematographer) 6. "Producing Penitentiary" - interview with Alicia Dhanifu (producer) 7. Original theatrical trailer 8. English SDH Subtitles

Release: February 27, 2018

$7.99

Description

Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. Martel "Too Sweet" Gordone (Leon Isaac Kennedy) has just been paroled. Trying diligently to stay out of trouble, he rekindles an old fling with his former girlfriend Clarisse and begins a job as a delivery roller-skater. But when his prison arch nemesis, Half Dead, breaks out of jail and murders Clarisse, Too Sweet is forced to return to his old life and seek vengeance the only way he knows how... Co-starring Ernie Hudson (THE HUMAN TORNADO & GHOSTBUSTERS) and the one and only Mr. T (THE A-TEAM & ROCKY III), Jamaa Fanaka's sequel to his acclaimed 1979 classic, PENITENTIARY II ups the intensity, ferocity, and outrageous action of the original. Vinegar Syndrome brings this early 80s action classic to Blu-ray, newly restored from its original 35mm camera negative and packed with explosive extra features. Bonus Features: 1. Newly scanned and restored in 2k from 35mm original camera negative 2. Archival commentary track with Jamaa Fanaka (writer / producer / director) 3. "In the Raw" - archival interview with Jamaa Fanaka 4. "Too Sweet on the Outside" - interview with Leon Isaac Kennedy 5. Isolated soundtrack 6. Original theatrical trailer 7. Reversible cover artwork 8. English SDH subtitles

Release: March 27, 2018

$7.99

Description

Vinegar Syndrome specializes in the masterful restoration and distribution of cult, horror, and erotic films from the 1960s-90s. Before directing the legendary PENITENTIARY trilogy, Jamaa Fanaka helmed these two offbeat genre films, which helped catapult him to recognition as one of the most important black filmmakers working in 70s independent cinema. In Fanaka's debut feature, WELCOME HOME BROTHER CHARLES, a young black man is sent to prison, after being brutalized by a corrupt racist cop. Upon release, he takes deadly revenge against the cops, lawyers, and thugs who got him busted, using a most unusual weapon... As much a parody of exploitation films as it is a proud piece of genre cinema, BROTHER CHARLES combines horror and blaxploitation tropes with stirring social subtext resulting in a drive-in movie unlike any other. Fanaka's second feature, EMMA MAE, tells the story of a naive young woman who moves from the Deep South to Watts. Initially finding herself at odds with her surroundings, Emma eventually gains acceptance from a local drug addict and dealer. But when he's arrested and jailed, she plans a daring bank robbery to bail him out... Featuring a cast of mostly non-professionals and shot entirely on location in Watts, this uniquely subversive action film is an insider's view of black, working-class LA neighborhoods. Vinegar Syndrome brings these two landmark films to Blu-ray, newly restored from their original camera negatives. Bonus Features: 1. Newly scanned and restored in 2k from 35mm original negatives 2. "The History of the L.A. Rebellion & Jamaa Fanaka" - an appreciation by Jan-Christopher Horak, Director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive 3. Post film Q&A with actress Jerri Hayes from a 2017 screening of EMMA MAE at BAMcinématek in Brooklyn, NY 4. Original theatrical trailer 5. Multiple original teaser trailers 6. Reversible cover artwork 7. English SDH subtitles