June 2026 Alliance/Mill Creek Retro VHS Blu-ray Releases

By Paul Rudoff on Jun. 20, 2026 at 4:30 PM in Home Video

After a three year hiatus, Alliance/Mill Creek is back with not one, not two, but SIX new releases in their Retro VHS Style series, with packaging designed to look like the VHS videocassettes of the 1980s and 1990s. Several other titles in the series have already been reviewed on The Corner Penthouse, and I'm always excited when Mill Creek announces more. It's fun to see if it's a title I used to own on VHS, or one whose trailer I remember seeing at the start of some other VHS tape, or even some obscure movie I've never heard of before.

Since there are six titles all coming out on the same day, and they all share many of the same specifications, it seemed better to group them all in one quick review. None of these Blu-rays have special features, and all only have English audio and English subtitles.

Cold Steel (1987)

• SYNOPSIS: After finding out his father was murdered on Christmas Eve, Los Angeles police officer Johnny Modine (Brad Davis) has only one thing on his Christmas list: revenge. Out for blood, Modine will let nothing stand in the way of finding the killer, the sadistic and disfigured Iceman (Jonathan Banks). In his pursuit of the madman, Modine encounters shadowy Kathy Connors (Sharon Stone), a woman with an agenda of her own. But his single-minded focus doesn't prepare him for the killer's true identity.

• RATING: R.

Fast Forward (1984)

• SYNOPSIS: Fast Forward follows eight talented teenagers from a small town to New York City for a one-in-a-million shot at stardom in a national dance competition. Their high-powered energy is captured by director Sidney Poitier in some of the most dazzling dance sequences ever filmed. From the fast-moving rhythms of contemporary street dancing, to jazz and classical ballet, they strut their stuff through exhausting rehearsals and numerous auditions. In the process, the teenagers get a crash course in self-sufficiency in a city that challenges them to survive, compete and grow. The odds are against them, but they put it all on the line to make their dreams come true.

• RATING: PG.

• NOTES: Filmed in 1984, shots of Times Square include a theater showing Ghostbusters. Screenshots have been added to Spook Central's Times Square page.

Lovelines (1984)

• SYNOPSIS: A romantic comedy/rock musical about two teenagers from rival high schools who fall in love at a Battle of the Bands contest. Piper (Mary Beth Evans) is from Malibu High and Rick (Greg Bradford) is from Coldwater Canyon High, and her muscle-bound brother (Frank Zagarino) is determined to do anything and everything to stop his sweet little sister from getting it on with some jerk from the Valley! Greed, desire, dirty tricks, and bloody fist fights... it's just another day in the life of a teenager.

• RATING: R.

• NOTES: A great time capsule of the 1980s featuring Police Academy's Michael Winslow.

Sunset (1988)

• SYNOPSIS: Los Angeles, 1929. Tom Mix (Bruce Willis) - Hollyood's hottest action hero - has been cast to play the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp. Trouble is, Earp (James Garner) has been hired to work as a technical expert on the film, and this doesn't sit too well with Mix. Even worse... Earp doesn't take too well to movie moguls and fancy studio life. So, the Old West and the new Hollywood collide, becoming a vivid backdrop for a shocking murder mystery. Come back to a time when movies were movies, murders were mayhem, and heroes were just plain outrageous.

• RATING: R.

• NOTES: A somewhat forgotten Blake Edwards classic that my family used to own on VHS, so the slipcover brings back so many memories.

White Palace (1990)

• SYNOPSIS: Max Baron (James Spader) is a successful St. Louis advertising executive who's been in mourning since the death of his young wife. A chance late-night encounter introduces him to Nora Baker (Susan Sarandon), and unexpectedly turns his life upside-down. A earthy, vibrant and fiercely independent woman, Nora works in a hamburger joint, lives on the wrong side of town, and has at least 15 years on Max. Yet despite their differences, Max finds himself hopelessly in love in this touchingly offbeat romance.

• RATING: R.

You Light Up My Life (1977)

• SYNOPSIS: Laurie Robinson (Didi Conn) has come to a crossroads in her life: she doesn't want to follow in the footsteps of her well-known comedian father, and she doesn't really love the man to whom she is engaged. Leaving all behind, Laurie sets out on her own, determined to become an actress and songwriter. Her dream seems to be realized when she successfully auditions for a film role and has a whirlwind affair with the director. Just as quickly, however, the dream begins to disintegrate.

• RATING: PG.

• NOTES: What fun to see Grease and Benson star Didi Conn in a starring role. The movie features the memorable titular song, originally sung by Kacey Cisyk in the movie, but made popular by Debby Boone.

Although none of these Blu-rays have on-disc extras, the real "bonus feature" here is the vintage-looking VHS-inspired slipcover, with faux wear and tear, and fake "rental stickers" on it, while giving the appearance of a videocassette being pulled out from the right side, complete with tape label side on the right spine. The VHS-style artwork may be based on the original U.S. or U.K. VHS box art, or bear a similarity to it, using the same or similar photos, but in a different orientation. The case artwork underneath is different, either made in a modern style, or perhaps sticking closer to the original theatrical movie poster. The VHS-style slipcover may only be available for a limited time.

No Digital Copy code is included.