THIS WEEK’S NOTABLE DVD & BLU-RAY RELEASES:

Friday the 13th (2009) [DVD & Blu-ray] – The reboot of the classic “Friday the 13th” franchise finally makes its way onto DVD and Blu-ray this week. Though it throws in a few surprises and some decent kills (and “boobage”), this redo is pretty much a paint-by-the-numbers “Friday the 13th” flick, and in no way is that a bad thing. The DVD comes in either theatrical or extended cuts with a making of featurette and deleted scenes. The Blu-ray contains both versions of the film, the aforementioned extras, plus a digital copy of the film, additional featurettes, and a “Terror Trivia” factoid track. (Also be on the lookout for “Friday the 13th Part 2″ and “Part 3D” on Blu-ray this week as well, along with IV, V, and VI in deluxe DVD editions!)

Ghostbusters [Blu-ray] – The 80s classic finally makes the leap to high definition, and just in time to go along with the release of “Ghostbusters: The Game” for the Wii, X-BOX 360, and PS3! A group of paranormal investigators save New York City from a demigod in this awesome comedy. The disc boasts an audio commentary by director Ivan Reitman and a slew of featurettes that chronicle the making of the film! My only complaint is that they didn’t release “Ghostbusters II” onto Blu-ray with the original.

Kickboxer [Blu-ray] – One of the best of Jean Claude Van Damme’s early films, “Kickboxer” matches the “muscles from Brussels” against a deadly Thai kickboxer named Tong Po. Sadly, although the disc boasts amazing picture and sound, it is a totally bare bones affair. That’s right folks… NO special features at all. Not even a friggin’ trailer. What gives Lionsgate?

Spaceballs [Blu-ray] – Mel Brooks hilarious parody of “Star Wars” and other space-themed films, finally makes its high def debut and holy cow is this disc loaded. It has audio commentary by Mel Brooks, audio options for “Mawg-ese” and “Dink-ese” (sounds fun, but could get annoying quick), multiple featurettes, three image galleries, theatrical trailers, and more!

Transformers: The Complete First Season (25th Anniversary Edition) [DVD] – Just in time to squeeze more money out of all of us “Trans-fans,” here is yet another release of the original series’ first season. However, Shout Factory! makes this a worthwhile purchase because not only have they cleaned up the audio and video quality of the episodes, but they have tossed in classic Transformer PSAs and toy commercials as special features! (Nostalgia! YAY!) The three-disc set also contains a cool limited edition Autobot magnet inside, and has a featurette about the origins of the Transformers (from Comics to Toys to the screen). At only twenty bucks or so, I think this is most definitely worth picking up.

Undefeatable [DVD] – This insane cult kung-fu flick is finally out on DVD thanks to Henstooth Video! A serial killer / kung-fu master named “Stingray” butts heads with two tough chop-sockey cops in this ridiculous action film, featuring Cynthia Rothrock. The final battle in the film is reason enough to pick up this disc! Sadly there’s not too much on the disc, aside from a new widescreen transfer of the film and its original theatrical trailer, but still…. watch the climactic battle and tell me that this flick is not worth picking up!

THIS WEEK’S CULT DVD & BLU-RAY RELEASES:
Black Cat Box Set (Viridian Collection) [DVD]
Black Magic 2 [DVD]
Born [DVD]
The Cell 2 [DVD]
*Friday the 13th (2009) [DVD & Blu-ray]
Friday the 13th Part 2 [Blu-ray]
Friday the 13th Part 3D [Blu-ray]
Friday the 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter (Deluxe Edition) [DVD]
Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (Deluxe Edition) [DVD]
Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (Deluxe Edition) [DVD]
*Ghostbusters [Blu-ray]
Hydra (Unrated) [DVD]
I’ll Be There With You [DVD]
Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple – Season One, Part 2 [DVD]
*Kickboxer [Blu-ray]
Killing Ariel [DVD]
The Last Gateway [DVD]
Little Red Riding Hood and Other Stories [DVD]
Lost: The Complete First Season [Blu-ray]
Lost: The Complete Second Season [Blu-ray]
Murder Loves Killers Too [DVD]
The Perfect Sleep [DVD]
Platoon of the Dead [DVD]
Rifftrax: Carnival of Souls [DVD]
Rifftrax: House on Haunted Hill [DVD]
Rifftrax: Little Shop of Horrors [DVD]
Rifftrax: Missile to the Moon [DVD]
RIfftrax: Night of the Living Dead [DVD]
Rifftrax: Plan 9 From Outer Space [DVD]
Rifftrax: Reefer Madness [DVD]
Rifftrax: Shorts – Volume 1 [DVD]
Riffstrax Shorts – Volume 2 [DVD]
Rifftrax: Swing Parade [DVD]
The Sender [DVD]
Simoun: Complete Collection [DVD]
Sinner [DVD]
*Spaceballs [Blu-ray]
Stagknight [DVD]
Sword of the Stranger [DVD & Blu-ray]
Terror at Blood Fart Lake [DVD]
*Transformers: The Complete First Season (25th Anniversary Edition) [DVD]
*Undefeatable [DVD]
Venus Versus Virus: The Complete Series [DVD]

THIS WEEK’S NEW THEATRICAL RELEASES:
Year One – Harold Ramis returns to the director’s chair after a two year break with what is sure to be a hit comedy with the tweeners. (Yep, another PG-13 comedy folks… even though the very much R-rated “Hangover” is getting rave reviews and making some major moolah at the box office right now. As of my writing this, it is the number one film at the box office, and for good reason. It is hysterical! Damn it, make more good R-rated movies Hollywood!) Jack Black and Michael Cera play two loser “hunter-gatherers” who venture off into the ancient world and get into all sorts of “wacky adventures.” I want to hate this movie so badly, but somehow I know I’ll end up seeing it and (possibly) liking it. Still, it doesn’t look good enough to see in a theater, so I’ll just rent this when it hits DVD in a few months.

Dead Snow – This bad boy is only getting a limited theatrical release (probably only New York and Los Angeles) which sucks because it looks pretty cool. A group of medical students on a skiing trip run afoul of NAZI ZOMBIES! Yeah, I need to see this! It’s gotten a lot of love from critics and a favorite at the Sundance Film Festival AND it has Nazi zombies. I need to see this movie!

Well that’s it for this week folks. Check back next week for another edition of The B-Movie Film Vault Genre Watch…. maybe. This edition of Genre Watch was pretty much a fluke, but then again, perhaps I’m starting to come out of the funk I’ve been stuck in for months. Guess we’ll just have to wait and see. As for next week’s genre releases though… the DVD slate is horrible. There is not very much to look forward to (oh my dear Christ…. “Hobgoblins” and “Hobgoblins 2″ on DVD….. the end times are near!), except for “Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen” which opens on Wednesday the 24th! So get your tickets or you will miss out on the movie event of the year!

Enjoy your Summer b-movie fans, and don’t be a stranger. Swing by the Vault anytime you need to head indoors to enjoy some air conditioning. – Vault Master