Forty years of independent genre cinema will soon be celebrated on hi-def discs.
RUE MORGUE got the first word that Larry Fessenden’s Glass Eye Pix will be launching a new video label in conjunction with OCN Distribution to release newly restored versions of its movies on Blu-ray. Part of a celebration of Glass Eye’s 40th anniversary that begins November 2, these “lavishly produced” discs will showcase the distinctive genre features by Fessenden and the likes of Ti West, Jim Mickle, Graham Reznick, Glenn McQuaid, Mickey Keating, Joe Maggio and Ilya Chaiken that have made the company one of the most important forces in the horror and independent film worlds.
Says Fessenden, “I love physical media as a way to present a movie with its graphic identity, extra features and ruminations by artisans and commentators, capturing the elusive resonance of an individual picture in one package. I hope fans of Glass Eye will enjoy the embarrassment of riches we have in store for them in the coming months.”
“I’ve admired the work that Larry Fessenden has done over the years,” says OCN topper Justin LaLiberty, “not just in his own work but in that of shaping an outstanding production company in Glass Eye Pix, one of the last bastions of truly independent genre filmmaking in the United States. I’m elated to partner with Larry to create the best home video releases possible for the films Glass Eye has produced, past and present, which will be distributed through OCN Distribution.”
First up in this lineup is a new edition of James Felix McKenney’s futuristic sci-fi thriller AUTOMATONS, starring Christine Spencer, Angus Scrimm and Brenda Cooney. The region-free Blu-ray will supplement the feature (newly remastered in 2K) with these bonus features:
- New audio commentary with director & crew
- New BTS Surveillance Camera montage
- New “The Delusions of James Felix McKenney” film reel
- 2007 60-minute behind-the-scenes documentary
- 2006 Angus Scrimm Interview
- 2006 AUTOMATONS trailer
- 2005 camera tests
- Director’s introduction from 2015 VHS release
- Booklet with new writing by film critic Simon Abrams and an original director’s statement from 2006
Retail price is $41.98, but it’s available now at the Vinegar Syndrome webstore for $28.99.
