The Corner Penthouse

Looking for a last minute holiday gift for your video-loving family or friends? Well, let me run down a few items that have come out in the past few months that would be perfect for the person who loves Horror movies. This is in addition to all of the items I've reviewed recently (including other horror movies) that would also make for great gifts. Let's take a quick look at these recently-released titles...

All of the items below have already been released and are available for purchase from Amazon at the links provided. The Corner Penthouse will earn a very tiny commission from your purchase using these links.


American Psycho (2000)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD Steelbook (Best Buy), 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: Patrick Bateman (Christian Bale) is a Wall Street yuppie, obsessed with success, status, and style, with a stunning fiancee (Reese Witherspoon). He is also a psychotic killer who rapes, murders, and dismembers both strangers and acquaintances without provocation or purpose. Based on the controversial novel, the film offers a sharp satire to the dark side of yuppie culture in the '80s, while setting forth a vision that is both terrifying and chilling.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: "New" 2018 Audio Commentary with director Mary Harron (4K only). Old Audio Commentary with director Mary Harron. Audio Commentary with writer Guinevere Turner. Deleted Scenes (12:19) with optional director commentary. The '80s Downtown (31:46). American Psycho: From Book to Screen (48:53) (4K only).
• NOTES: This is the Uncut/Unrated Version of the movie. The Steelbook, which includes a digital copy code voucher, features all new artwork from artist Justin Erickson. The packaging is very cleverly designed. The plastic sleeve goes over Patrick's face on the Steelbook to make it look like he's putting on a mask. Inside the plastic sleeve on the back it says "Feed Me A Stray Cat" in dot-matrix printing. Inside the Steelbook, the two discs (4K & Blu) are stored overlapped on the right side, while Patrick's business card is reproduced on the left side. There is also a sequel starring Mila Kunis called American Psycho II: All American Girl that is available on Blu-ray and DVD.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Lionsgate for review on this site.


Children of the Corn (1984)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: Burt (Peter Horton) and Vicky (Linda Hamilton) are a young couple who find themselves lost on the backroads of Nebraska, eventually winding up in the seemingly deserted town of Gatlin. But the town is far from empty. As the couple soon discover, it is inhabited by a twisted cult of murderous children, thirsty for another blood sacrifice.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary with director Fritz Kiersch, producer Terrence Kirby, and actors John Franklin and Courtney Gains. Audio Commentary with horror journalist Justin Beahm and historian John Sullivan. Harvesting Horror (36:15) - Retrospective produced by Anchor Bay featuring interviews with cast and crew. It Was the Eighties! (14:07) - Anchor Bay produced featurette offering an interview with Linda Hamilton. And a Child Shall Lead Them (50:52) - Interviews with Julie Maddalena and John Philbin. Field of Nightmares (17:19) - Interview with writer George Goldsmith. Stephen King on a Shoestring (11:18) - Interview with producer Donald P. Borchers. Welcome to Gatlin (15:29) - Interviews with production designer Craig Stearns and composer Jonathan Elias. Return to Gatlin (16:29) - John Sullivan hosting a tour of filming locations. Cut from the Cornfield (5:30) - Offers actor Rich Kleinberg supposedly talking about an "infamous" lost scene. Storyboard Gallery (5:31). Trailer (1:28). Disciples of the Crow (18:56) short film adaptation predating this film by one year.
• NOTES: As is customary with Arrow's releases, contains a booklet with cast and crew information, an essay, movie photos, and notes about the transfer. The case contains a reversible liner featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin. The first print run includes a slipsleeve over the thick case.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Arrow Video for review on this site.


A Clockwork Orange (1971)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: In an England of the future, Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his "Droogs" spend their nights getting high at the Korova Milkbar before embarking on "a little of the old ultraviolence," while jauntily warbling "Singin' in the Rain." After he's jailed for bludgeoning the Cat Lady to death, Alex submits to a behavior modification technique to earn his freedom; he's conditioned to abhor violence. Returned to the world defenseless, Alex becomes the victim of his prior victims.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary by Malcolm McDowell and Nick Redman. Still Tickin': The Return of Clockwork Orange (43:42). Great Bolshy Yarblockos! Making A Clockwork Orange (28:19). Turning Like Clockwork (26:19). Malcolm McDowell Looks Back (10:30). Trailer (1:03).
• NOTES: Includes a slipsleeve and digital copy code voucher.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.


The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: A chilling story of terror, murder and unknown evil that shocked even experienced real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga). One of the most sensational cases from their files, it starts with a fight for the soul of a young boy, then takes them beyond anything they'd ever seen before, to mark the first time in U.S. history that a murder suspect would claim demonic possession as a defense.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: By Reason of Demonic Possession (5:24) - An in depth look at the true story that inspired the movie. The Occultist (4:03) - Meet the terrifying new addition to the Conjuring Universe. Exorcism of Fear (5:47) - Delve into the making of the movie and the chilling exorcism scene that opens the film. DC Horror Presents The Conjuring: The Lover #1 (12:50) – A video comic that takes you deeper into the Conjuring Universe.
• NOTES: Includes a slipsleeve and digital copy code voucher. If you don't own the other films in the Conjuring universe, you can buy them all in the 5 Film Collection: The Conjuring Universe Blu-ray set (also available on DVD). To have a complete collection, add in The Curse of La Lorona (reviewed here), Shazam (reviewed here) and Aquaman (reviewed here); those last two become part of the universe due to the appearance of the demon doll.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.


Deep Red (1975)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray
• VIDEOS: Trailer (Arrow), Trailer (Shout), Teaser (Arrow), 4K Trailer (Arrow).
• SYNOPSIS: One night, musician Marcus Daly (David Hemmings), looking up from the street below, witnesses the brutal axe murder of a woman in her apartment. Racing to the scene, Marcus just manages to miss the perpetrator... or does he? As he takes on the role of amateur sleuth, Marcus finds himself ensnared in a bizarre web of murder and mystery where nothing is what it seems... Aided by a throbbing score from regular Argento collaborators Goblin, Deep Red (aka Profondo Rosso and The Hatchet Murders) is a hallucinatory fever dream of a giallo punctuated by some of the most astonishing set-pieces the sub-genre has to offer.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: For the ORIGINAL VERSION: New Audio Commentary by critics Troy Howarth and Nathaniel Thompson. Archival Audio Commentary by Argento expert Thomas Rostock. Almost three hours of new interviews with members of the cast and crew. Italian Trailer. Arrow Video 2018 Trailer. Image Galleries. For the EXPORT VERSION: Archival Introduction by Claudio Simonetti of Goblin. Profondo Giallo - an archival visual essay by Michael Mackenzie featuring an in-depth appreciation of Deep Red, its themes and its legacy. Archival Interviews with Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi, Claudio Simonetti and long-time Argento collaborator Luigi Cozzi. US Theatrical Trailer.
• NOTES: New 4K restoration of both the original 127-minute Italian version and the 105-minute export version from the original negative. The English audio track on the original cut has some portions of English audio missing because English audio for these scenes was never recorded. As such, they are presented with Italian audio, subtitled in English. Limited edition packaging with reversible liner featuring originally and newly commissioned artwork by Obviously Creative. Illustrated collector's booklet featuring writing on the film by Alan Jones and Mikel J. Koven, and a new essay by Rachael Nisbet. Fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Obviously Creative. Six double-sided, postcard-sized lobby card reproduction artcards.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Arrow Video for review on this site.


The Forever Purge (2021)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: The old rules of the Purge are broken as members of an underground movement, no longer satisfied with the annual night of anarchy and murder, decide to overtake America through an unending campaign of mayhem and massacre. No one is safe. On the morning after the Purge, a masked gang of killers attacks a wealthy Texas ranching family and their workers. Exposed by daylight, the two groups are forced to band together and fight back as the country spirals into chaos and the United States begins to disintegrate around them.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Alternate Storyboard Opening (1:40). Deleted Scene (1:36). Collapsing The System: Behind The Forever Purge (8:00) - Go behind the scenes to witness the stunts, explosions, and chaos on the set of The Forever Purge. Creeptastic Wardrobe (2:06) - A mostly daytime, never-ending Purge mixed with a western theme called for a whole new twist on Purge wardrobe and masks. Theatrical Trailer (2:30).
• NOTES: Includes a slipsleeve and digital copy code voucher. If you don't own the previous four films, buy all five in The Purge: 5-Movie Collection on Blu-ray and DVD. Season 1 of the TV series is available onBlu-ray and DVD, and Season 2 is also available on MOD Blu-ray and MOD DVD. I previously reviewed The First Purge and The Purge: Season 1.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Universal for review on this site.


The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: Taking an ill-advised detour en route to California, the Carter family soon run into trouble when their campervan breaks down in the middle of the desert. Stranded, the family find themselves at the mercy of a group of monstrous cannibals lurking in the surrounding hills. With their lives under threat, the Carters have no choice but to fight back by any means necessary.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary with actors Michael Berryman, Janus Blythe, Susan Lanier and Martin Speer. Audio Commentary with Wes Craven and Peter Locke. Audio Commentary with academic Mikel J. Koven. Looking Back on The Hills Have Eyes (54:35) - A retrospective featuring interviews with Wes Craven, Peter Locke, Michael Berryman, Janus Blythe, Robert Houston, Susan Lanier, Dee Wallace and Eric Saarinen. Family Business (16:08) - An interview with Martin Speer. The Desert Sessions (11:00) - An interview with composer Don Peake. Alternate Ending (11:34) - Also available via seamless branching under the Play menu if you want to watch the film that way. Outtakes (18:57). US Trailer (2:43). German Trailer (2:46). TV Spots (1:54). Image Gallery. BD-ROM CONTENT: Original Screenplay.
• NOTES: Limited edition 40-page booklet featuring writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens and a consideration of the Hills franchise by Arrow producer Ewan Cant, illustrated with original archive stills and posters. Six postcards are included inside the case, alogn with a r fold-out poster. The case has a reversible liner featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul Shipper. This is actually the first in what is now a series of four films. There is a sequel, as well as a remake and its sequel.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Arrow Video for review on this site.


Initiation (2020)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: During a university's pledge week, the carefree partying turns deadly serious when a star athlete is found impaled in his dorm. The murder ignites a spree of sinister social-media messages, sweeping the students and police into a race against time to uncover the truth behind the school's dark secrets…and the horrifying meaning of a recurring symbol: a single exclamation mark.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Hidden Secrets: Surviving Initiation (30:07) - An overview of the production with interviews and a brief look at the original short film (which is, sadly, not included on the disc). The Final Twist: Post-Production (6:36) - Delves into some of the effects involving displaying social media posts.
• NOTES: Includes a slipsleeve and digital copy code voucher.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Lionsgate for review on this site.


Malignant (2021)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: Madison Mitchell (Annabelle Wallis) is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Malignant: James Wan's Visions (14:11) - Filmmaker James Wan takes us behind the scenes for a look at this genre-bending thriller.
• NOTES: Includes a slipsleeve and digital copy code voucher.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Warner Brothers for review on this site.


Maniac Cop 2 (1990)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: The "Maniac Cop" is back from the dead and stalking the streets of New York once more. Officer Matt Cordell (Robert Z'Dar) was once a hero, but after being framed by corrupt superiors and brutally assaulted in prison, he sets out on a macabre mission of vengeance, teaming up with a vicious serial killer to track down those that wronged him and make them pay... with their lives!
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Both discs contain an Audio Commentary with director William Lustig and filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, an Isolated Music Track, and Trailers from four different countries. The Blu-ray disc also includes Back on the Beat: The Making of Maniac Cop 2, Cinefamily Q&A with Director William Lustig, Deleted Scene, and a Poster & Still Gallery.
• NOTES: Includes an embossed slipsleeve over an unnecessarily thick 14mm plastic case (like PlayStation 3 games and Criterion releases) with no literature clips inside. Since there are no inserts, there was no need for such a thick case. That's my only complaint. The information for the third film in the Maniac Cop Trilogy is below; the first film is on Blu-ray.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Blue Underground for review on this site.


Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence (1992)
• BUY IT: 4K UHD, Blu-ray
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: When Officer Kate Sullivan storms a hostage situation, the whole incident is captured on tape by an unscrupulous media crew who edit the footage to show Kate killing a helpless victim. Now in a coma, Kate's only hope is Detective Sean McKinney, who desperately tries to clear her name. But unbeknownst to him, "Maniac Cop" Matt Cordell takes it upon himself to exact revenge upon those responsible for smearing her name.
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Both discs contain an Audio Commentary with director Alan Smithee/William Lustig and Joel Soisson (recorded in June 2021), and a Trailer. The Blu-ray disc also includes Wrong Arm of ohe Law: The Making of Maniac Cop 3, Deleted and Extended Scenes, Theatrical Trailer, Poster & Still Gallery, and Original Synopsis (text).
• NOTES: Includes an embossed slipsleeve over an unnecessarily thick 14mm plastic case (like PlayStation 3 games and Criterion releases) with no literature clips inside. Since there are no inserts, there was no need for such a thick case. That's my only complaint. The information for the second film in the Maniac Cop Trilogy is above; the first film is on Blu-ray.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Blue Underground for review on this site.


Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge (1989)
• BUY IT: Blu-ray, DVD
• VIDEOS: Trailer
• SYNOPSIS: With numerous interpretations of Gaston Leroux's classic novel The Phantom of the Opera having been turned out over the years, it was only a matter of time before the slasher genre decided to take a stab at the tale - step forward 1989's Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge! High school sweethearts Eric Matthews and Melody Austin are so in love, but their youthful romance is cut tragically short when Eric apparently dies in a fire that engulfs his family home. One year later and Melody is trying to move on with her life, taking up a job at the newly built Midwood Mall along with her friends. But the mall, which stands on the very site of Eric's former home, has an uninvited guest - a shadowy, scarred figure which haunts its airducts and subterranean passageways, hellbent on exacting vengeance on the mall's crooked developers. Directed by Richard Friedman (Scared Stiff, Doom Asylum), and featuring star turns from Pauly Shore and Morgan Fairchild, Phantom of the Mall: Eric's Revenge swoops onto Blu-ray in an extras-packed edition which proves that Arrow Video's love for '80s slasher fare never dies!
• SPECIAL FEATURES: Audio Commentary with Richard Friedman. Audio Commentary with Ewan Cant and Amanda Reyes. Audio Interviews with composer Stacy Widelitz and associate producer Robert J. Koster. Shop 'Til You Drop: The Making of Phantom of the Mall (42:22) - A featurette filled with fun interviews. The Vandals Go to the Mall (12:56) - An interview with Joe Escalante of the punk band The Vandals, who provide the film's theme song. Alternate and Deleted Scenes (7:20). Domestic Trailer (1:41). International Trailer (1:59). Image Gallery. BD-ROM CONTENT: Scott J. Schneid and Tony Michelman's original script and associated special effects storyboards by Alec Gillis and Tom Woodruff, Jr.
• NOTES: Two-disc set with three versions of the feature: Original Theatrical Cut, TV Cut, and the Composite "Phan" Cut (that combines the other two). Also includes six postcard-sized lobby card reproductions, 60-page fully-illustrated perfect-bound book featuring new writing by Daniel Budnik and Amanda Reyes, and a large fold-out double-sided poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn. The case contains a reversible liner featuring the Justin Osbourn artwork on one side and the original movie poster artwork on the other side. Includes a slipsleeve over the thick case that features back cover artwork meant to recreate the original VHS back cover, much like Death Screams.
• CREDIT: This item has been provided by Arrow Video for review on this site.

If you're looking for more gift ideas, check out all of the other items I've reviewed recently. I review a variety of items, so I'm sure you'll find something quite suitable for your friends and family, or maybe even yourself. Yeah, why not treat yourself this holiday season.