Top 10 Discs Of 2013: Number 1. Sleepwalker. BFI

I noted at the beginning of this exercise that my choices for the Top 10 Discs of 2013 were in no order of preference, and that still holds true with the exception of number one, which really does stand out for me as the best and the most welcome release of last year.

Saxon Logan's Sleepwalker has a history that goes back to 1984, and a time when UK film policy changed forever; a state of affairs which denied people the chance to see the film. Now, Sleepwalker has risen like a phoenix from the ashes and has become one of the jewels in the BFI's 'Flipside' series of releases. The disc contains some terrific extras, together with a fascinating and extremely moving interview with the director that showcases a remarkable career and a true passion for filmmaking.

You can read my original review (written several years ago after catching a rare theatrical screening by clicking HERE and you can also read my review of this disc by clicking HERE

I'm aware and very grateful this blog receives visitors from all around the world, so I want to amplify the point that the Sleepwalker Blu-ray is Region-Free so jump all over this one people and hurry. It won't be available to buy forever!

Selecting my top 10 choices has been pleasurable but extremely difficult, with some titles so very hard to leave out. So, I'd like to conclude by mentioning some of the other discs that have marked me over the course of the last 12 months.

Texas Chain Saw Massacre 2 (Arrow Video)

Blowout (Arrow Video)

Dr Mabuse der Spieler (Masters Of Cinema)

Like Someone To Love (New Wave Films)

Baron Blood (Arrow Video)

Heaven's Gate (Second Sight)

Robin Redbreast (BFI DVD)

2013 was a great year for Home Video releases. Let us hope 2014 is just as good.

Top 10 Discs Of 2013: Number 2: The Long Goodbye. Arrow Academy

Great transfer for Robert Altman's classic, and a wealth of mouth-watering extras that really deliver the goods by enhancing our enjoyment and appreciation of this film.

You can read my review of this disc by clicking HERE

Top 10 Discs Of 2013: Number 3. Possession. Second Sight

Andrzej Zulawski's intensely shocking film came to Blu-ray in July of 2013, and this astonishing account of a the aftermath of a marital split featuring violence, self-mutilation and a hideous tentacled creature was originally banned in the UK.
Second Sight's Blu-ray benefits from an excellent transfer and the following supplementary material:

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WALL – THE MAKING OF POSSESSION
AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR ANDRZEJ ZULAWSKI
AUDIO COMMENTARY WITH CO-WRITER FREDERIC TUTEN
ANDRZEJ ZULAWSKI INTERVIEW
REPOSSESSED – The film’s UK and US reception, the ‘video nasties’ furore and the American recut

A DIVIDED CITY – Interview with the composer Andrzej Korzynski
OUR FRIEND IN THE WEST – Interview with legendary producer Christian Ferry

BASHA – featurette on the artist who created the famed film poster
THEATRICAL TRAILER

Top 10 Discs Of 2013: Number Four. Opening Night BFI

One of the most welcome Home Video releases of the year saw John Cassavetes' Opening Night come to Blu-ray with a fine transfer and some valuable supplementary material.

You can read my review of this disc by clicking HERE

Top Ten Discs of 2013: Number 5. Spider Baby. Arrow Video

Aka "The Maddest Story Ever Told", 'Spider Baby' was Jack Hill's first solo feature, and concerns a trio of siblings who suffer from 'Merrye Syndrome'a condition that causes them to mentally regress backwards.Lon Chaney Jr gave his last memorable performance here as their guardian Bruno, and Sid Haig and Carol Ohmart also star in a film that gets weirder and more damnably entertaining with every passing minute.
The Blu-ray transfer is exemplary, with a nice line of grain evident and impressive depth and contrast.
There's infinite replay value to be had here, and Hill's macabre masterpiece is honoured by the comprehensive extras which are as follows:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentation of the main feature, available in the UK for the very first time.
- High Definition transfer of the feature approved by director Jack Hill.
- English SDH subtitles for deaf and hearing impaired.
- Audio commentary featuring Jack Hill and star Sid Haig.
- Panel discussion from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “FILM-TO-FILM” Festival, recorded September 2012, featuring Jack Hill and stars Quinn K. Redeker and Beverly Washburn.
- “The Hatching of Spider Baby” – Interviews with Jack Hill, Sid Haig, star Mary Mitchel, fan Joe Dante and more on the making of the film.
- “Spider Stravinsky: The Cinema Sounds of Ronald Stein” – The composer of ‘The Terror’ and ‘Attack of the 50 Foot Woman’ among others is remembered by Harlene Stein, Jack Hill, American Cinematheque’s Chris D. and others.
- “The Merrye House Revisited” – Jack Hill revisits the original house that was used as the main location in the film.
- Alternate opening title sequence.
- Extended scene.
- Original Trailer.
- Gallery of behind-the-scenes images.
- The Host (1960) – Jack Hill’s early short film featuring Sid Haig in his first starring role.
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Graham ‘Evil Dead’ Humpreys.
- Collector’s booklet featuring writing on the film by artist and writer Stephen R. Bissette, and an extensive article re-printed from FilmFax: The Magazine of Unusual Film and Television featuring interviews with the cast and crew, illustrated with original stills and artwork.

Highly recommended.

Top 10 Discs Of 2013: Number 6. Dead Of Night. BFI.

The last three surviving episodes of the BBC Dead Of Night series have long been prime candidates for unnerving slices of small-screen terror, so thanks to the BFI for bringing them to DVD for first time viewers and those of us who were lucky enough to catch the original broadcasts. Don Taylor's 'The Exorcism' gave me nightmares for months afterwards, and it's true to say fragments from the broadcast have stayed with me down the years.

You can read my review of this DVD by clicking HERE

Top 10 Discs Of 2013: Number 7. Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers. Arrow Video

Widely touted as one of the best remakes of all time, Philip Kaufman's 1978 film is more a re-imagining of Don Siegel's original, and scores highly in practically all departments. I was particularly pleased when I learned Arrow Video were to release this as a special edition Blu-ray and delighted with the image quality and also the supplementary features package.

You can read my review of the disc by clicking .HERE

Top 10 Discs of 2013: Number 8. Betty Blue. Second Sight

Jean-Jaques Beineix's timeless classic appears on the Second Sight Blu-ray in two versions: the original theatrical cut which I saw during its UK cinema run, and the more powerful 3 hour director's cut which I caught several years later.
A superb transfer, and the hour long documentary, 'Blue Notes And Bungalows', make this an absolutely essential purchase for all those who fell in love with the film.

You can read my review by clicking .HERE

Top 10 Discs Of 2013. Number 9. Black Sabbath. Arrow Video

One of Mario Bava's finest films gets royal treatment here, courtesy of a splendid transfer and an excellent audio commentary track from Tim Lucas. There's also a featurette showing the differences between the Italian and AIP versions. Highly recommended for Bava buffs and newcomers who have yet to discover the maestro's brand of other-worldly magic.

You can read my review of this disc by clicking HERE

Arrow Video will be releasing further titles from Mario Bava's filmography in 2014.

Wonderland: Top 10 Discs of 2013. Number 10

I would have loved to be able to do a top 10 theatrical releases but, unfortunately, my health does not permit cinema visits. So, I thought I'd compile a list of my favourite discs from last year. I've taken a number of factors into account, including the quality of the film, the Blu-ray transfer and the extras. I hope you will take the opportunity to check out any you have yet to see.
This list is not in order of preference, so let's start with today's selection.

Me And You (Artificial Eye)

A beautifully directed adolescent drama, from the great Bernardo Bertulucci.

You can read my review by clicking HERE