Clapboard Jungle | Do you have what it takes to survive the modern independent film business?

If you have ever thought about becoming an independent film-maker, then you must check this out first. Justin McConnell, who writes, directs and features, has worked as a film festival coordinator, as well as being a cinematographer and editor on heaps of featurettes you’ve probably seen as bonus content, and also directed a number of documentaries and helmed two features. But he has still yet to make his mark in this riskiest of businesses, where it has become harder and harder for independents to make a living due to media giant monopolisation and a market oversaturated with product.

Featuring interviews with a vast range of industry luminaries, Clapboard Jungle (which is available on ARROW from Monday 19 April) follows Justin’s personal journey over a five year period, exploring not only the nitty-gritty of the film business (from pitch to product) but also the physical and emotional strain that comes with it. It’s a fascinating insight and something of a survival guide for anyone brave enough to attempt themselves.

Once you have watched the documentary, I strongly urge you to check out the extended interviews which feature a roll call of some of our favourite cult heroes who all discuss their career highs and lows, and their place in the independent film world today. Poignantly, among them are Dick Miller, George Romeo and Larry Cohen, who are no longer with us – so these are very special indeed.

Clapboard Jungle is available from ARROW from Monday 19 April

SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS
• Audio commentary with Justin McConnell
• Crew commentary: Justin McConnell, co-producer Darryl Shaw, executive producer Avi Federgreen and editor/associate producer Kevin Burke)
• Guest commentary/panel discussion: Barbara Crampton, Richard Stanley, John McNaughton, Gigi Saul Guerrero and Adam Mason
• Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Justin McConnell
• Extended interviews: Anne-Marie Gélinas, Barbara Crampton, Brian Trenchard-Smith, Brian Yuzna, Charles Band, Corey Moosa, Dean Cundey, Dick Miller, Don Mancini, Frank Henenlotter, Gary Sherman, George Romero, George Mihalka, Guillermo Del Toro, John McNaughton, Jon Reiss, Larry Cohen, Larry Fessenden, Lloyd Kaufman, Mette-Marie Kongsved, Michael Biehn, Jennifer Blanc-Biehn, Mick Garris, Paul Schrader, Richard Stanley, Sam Firstenberg, Tom Holland, Tom Savini, Vincenzo Natali
• Documentaries: Working Class Rock Star (2008) and Skull World (2013)
• 13 short films with optional commentaries and intros
• Trailers, promos, photo gallery and Easter eggs
• Artwork by Ilan Sheady
• Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing by producer/director Brian Yuzna

Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers | A deadly game of felines vs vampires – but which side will you be on?

From Eureka Entertainment comes Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers on Blu-ray as part of the Eureka Classics (26 October)

Alice Krige and Brian Krause star in this supernatural thriller tale, directed by Mick Garris, about a pair of nomadic shape-shifting psychic vampires who prey on virtuous young women.

After fleeing Bodega Bay in California, the incestuous mother and son, Mary and Charles, set up home in Travis, Indiana and soon they have their werecat eyes on a new victim Tanya (Mädchen Amick). But when Tanya fights back, Mary’s full fury is unleashed…

Based on an original story written by King, this 1992 US horror was a big success for director Garris, making his first big studio film – although critics gave it a mauling. Somehow, I missed it first time around, but I’m so pleased it’s been given a new lease of life on Blu-ray.

It’s the cat’s meow and feline lovers will enjoy it so much – so will genre fans as it boasts some great in-jokes, plus cameos from not only King but also Clive Barker, Tobe Hooper, Joe Dante, John Landis – and Mark Hamill (sporting a bushy moustache).

Fresh-faced and in their prime, Krige and Krause (who was on contract with Columbia following his star turn in Return to the Blue Lagoon) ooze sensuality and charisma, while Amick (who had just come off Twin Peaks) makes for a spirited heroine. But the film’s stand-out star is Sparks the cat, who plays the heroic Clovis. He’s spunky, adorable and worth the price of buying this Blu-ray alone.

The Eureka Classics Blu-ray includes some terrific special features, with some insightful interviews from the cast and crew that are well worth tuning into – but only after you’ve seen the movie.

SPECIAL FEATURES

• 1080p presentation on Blu-ray
• DTS-HD MA 5.1 and LPCM 2.0 audio options
• English subtitles (SDH)
• Audio Commentary with Mick Garris and film historian Lee Gambin (this was recorded during the Covid pandemic)
• Audio Commentary with Mick Garris, Mädchen Amick, and Brian Krause
• Feline Trouble: Interview with director Mick Garris
• When Charles Met Tanya: Conversation with Mädchen Amick And Brian Krause
• Mother & More: Interview with actress Alice Krige
• Creatures & Cats: The FX of Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers featurette
• Behind-the-scenes footage
• Theatrical trailer
• Collector’s booklet featuring new writing by Craig Ian Mann

Digging Up the Marrow (2014) | Adam Green’s monster mash-up is the most fun you’ll have running about in the dark

Horror fans will undoubtedly ‘get’ this mockumentary in which genre director Adam Green (Hatchet, Frozen) puts a hilariously self-indulgent spin on the found footage horror genre.

While attending a Fangoria horror fan convention, Green gets a package from William Dekker (Ray Wise, Big Ass Spider!), who claims that monsters exist in an underground metropolis alongside humanity. Fascinated by the idea, but not quite sure whether Dekker is sane or not, Green and his cameraman (Will Barratt) set out to capture Dekker’s elusive creatures on film…

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The best thing about Digging Up the Marrow is that it’s made for horror fans by horror fans having a bit of a lark. The mainly improvised set-up works for the most part, although there’s lots of talk involved as Green tries to convince his buddies (all sporting tees with logos emblazoned with his other projects – from Hatchet to Holliston) that he’s onto something, and we only get to see four actual creatures, all drawn from the warped imaginings of artist Alex Pardee.

As for genuine frights, well they’re more fun than scary, but there’s one that’s a real blast (thanks to Robert Pendergraft’s sfx). Horror fans, meanwhile, will have great fun seeing genre favourite Kane Hodder (who likes his porn) and those masters of horror, Tom Holland and Mick Garris, getting in on the joke.

Digging Up the Marrow is out on DVD in the UK from Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment, and also available to stream on YouTube