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The special features are light, but the entire Mant! short (which was on the laserdisc) is pure gold and an intro by Dante is sure to be interesting. The great emancipator in HD! A must but with me next paycheck. I'm so glad DVDBeaver bothered reviewing it!

Like DVDBeaver, I'm puzzled why the French Blu-ray wouldn't retain the film's original title. MATINEE is already a French word; all they would have to do is add an accent over the first "e"! Nevertheless, the caps looks lovely.

I apologize if this has been found already, but just in case, I just found that The Hole can be found on DVD on Amazon, and from what I've read, this copy will play on U.S DVD players! If I hadn't recently spent money on getting Tashlin's "Artists & Models", I'd grab it right away.

By the way, anyone recommend Second Civil War? I figured I was satisfied with owning all of his films up to "Matinee", but I'm growing curious about this one, thanks to this clip.

Dante's Cheerful Purgatorio by David Bordwell.

Bizarrely I watched it again for the first time in years over the weekend - so many wonderful moments: Phoebe Cates getting moved briskly along when she starts to recount yet another childhood trauma, Leonard Maltin being strangled on his film review show during a thumbs down review of Gremlins, Microwave Marge steadily drinking her way through the latest recording of her cookery show, Christopher Lee breaking out the weapons, Dick Miller's character finally achieving closure etc.

I had not picked up the DVD so I do not know whether this turned up there but I would be interested to know whether the two variants on what happens during the 'film breakdown' sequence are going to be included.

The DVD used the theatrical/Hulk Hogan version, but the VHS/John Wayne version was available as an easter egg. I can't imagine they'll drop it from the BD, but then they haven't announced any specs so far.

colinr0380 wrote:Bizarrely I watched it again for the first time in years over the weekend - so many wonderful moments: Phoebe Cates getting moved briskly along when she starts to recount yet another childhood trauma, Leonard Maltin being strangled on his film review show during a thumbs down review of Gremlins, Microwave Marge steadily drinking her way through the latest recording of her cookery show, Christopher Lee breaking out the weapons, Dick Miller's character finally achieving closure etc.

Everything you mention is great. Plus I always loved the Canadian restaurant with Gordon Lightfoot playing in the background.

"Try our speciality, the chocolate Moose...May I cut you an antler?"

You okay? You want another Molson?

I also love the self-aggrandising 'end times' video, which reminds me a lot of the one that turned up in The Day Today series a while later!

Dave Kehr's consideration of Gremlins 2 is great. It's here.

roujin wrote:Dave Kehr's consideration of Gremlins 2 is great. It's here.

Agreed. I learned two things from this very good article: the "Mogwai" represent Disney animated characters whereas the "Gremlins" represent Looney Tunes characters and that HELLZAPOPPIN remains legally unavailable in the U.S. due to rights issues (no wonder I've never had the chance to see this film).

Be my guest...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcB3_jCXBKg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

isakborg wrote:Be my guest...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcB3_jCXBKg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks - I watched it last night. Not only was HELLZAPOPPIN' an influence on Dante for GREMLINS 2, but it clearly inspired things like Chuck Jones' DUCK AMUCK and the work of Charlie Kaufman. There is even a sequence early in the film where Olsen and Johnson are seated in front of a screen and provide dummy lines and wisecrack commentary for the film itself in the manner of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000!

Hey guys, Joe Dante and his website Trailers from Hell have a Kickstarter to keep themselves going as one of the most entertaining ways to waste one's time on the internet. There are prizes and everything!

I donated $50 and am getting a Gremlins 2 blu signed by Dante himself. Jealous much?

HypnoHelioStaticStasis wrote: I donated $50 and am getting a Gremlins 2 blu signed by Dante himself. Jealous much?

Bastard!

(And really? The autographed Border Radios sold out? I know there was only 2 but... Really?)

Just don't watch your copy of Gremlins 2 after midnight, hypno (It turns into a copy of Ghoulies! *shudder*)

cdnchris wrote:(And really? The autographed Border Radios sold out? I know there was only 2 but... Really?)

And yet multiple autographed copies of Gremlins and Gremlins 2 remain!

I really want that rocket from Starship Troopers, but I don't have that kind of cash, so I'm also getting a Gremlins 2 blu ray.

I wasn't sure where else to put this, but Dick Miller needs your money!

Joe Dante's contributions to the 2001 anthology show Night Visions are up on YouTube (as is the rest of the short-lived series, it looks like). His are the second segments in both: A View Through the Window / Quiet Please and If a Tree Falls / the Occupant