THE PASSIONS OF CAROL-PLATINUM ELITE COLLECTION-box art

Coming soon…shooting for a Christmas release!!

Shaun Costello’s First Ever Commentary

November 15, 2010

I am proud to announce that as part of “The Passions of Carol” Platinum Elite Collection, we will be including a full- feature length, audio commentary with the film’s creator and director, the legendary Shaun Costello. This was the first time that Shaun has ever recorded a commentary over one of his films and it is an honor to be able to bring you this great footage. We shot/recorded over this past weekend in NYC and also got to spend some time with Shaun and walk around the city and talk about how much the city has changed…we walked past the old capri cinema…we walked around 42nd st, even checked out SHOW WORLD, man has it changed. He told us some of the greatest stories as well, really a great time and the commentary is brilliant….. just very informative and Shaun talks about the filming, the cast, the producers, the music, and also some great stories. The commentary was produced by Distribpix and conducted by Chicago -based, film historian, Joe Rubin. Being a huge fan of Costello’s work, combined with his ultimate love for “The Passions of Carol” made Joe a shoe -in to moderate the commentary and he did a wonderful job.

Release date is ASAP, we are trying for a Christmas release date!

I am going to post a few pics:

The first one was taken in front of what is left of the legendary Show World, it is pretty sad and I even took a photo inside  just for shits and gigs and the Clerks made me erase the photo….Dam, I was just having fun, if they only knew how much money I had spent there in my teens!!LOL. Besides, there is nothing in there but crap, really sad. I remember when at any given time there were a dozen girls doing live shows, but that was 20 years ago…dam i am getting old!! Now it is filled with old magazines and the worst bottom of the barrel porn available.

The second photo was shot in front of an abandoned lot, which used to be the Capri Cinema. It was great to walk around the “new” Times Square, with a legend like Shaun, it was also tough to see the “new” 42nd street. It is still NYC, but not the way it used to be, especially for guys like Shaun, who used to live, work and play in the DEUCE!!

Joe and Steven with the Legendary Shaun Costello

Taken in front of empty lot ( used to be CAPRI CINEMA)

‘The Passions of Carol’ by Shaun Costello

The Passions of Carol

The transfer of this film has been quite challenging, from damaged sprockets on the 16mm OCN’s to having a scratched optic track on the answer print. It was a task, but the final product is much better than the current version that was sourced from a terrible video master. There are some defects that remain, but that is part of the archiving process. The new 2k scan reveals tons of detail and a new found richness, that was totally lacking before. Remember that grain is detail. The film really is great and for those of you who do not know anything about it…it is basically an adult look at Charles Dickens A Christmas Carol, with crazy twists, great use of colors and music, and awesome camera work. It is very entertaining and it was Shaun Costello’s first screenplay, and many fans/historians say that this film is their all time favorite.

The new transfer will be part of the ” The Passions of Carol” Platinum Elite Collection, which is headed for a Christmas release!! Look out for more details, this one is going to be a real holiday treat!!!

The Passions of Carol

Who is the guy in the middle??

Awesome Scene!!

WONDERFUL USE OF REDS AND GREENS......

WANDA WHIPS WALLSTREET : REMASTERED in HD

Just an update, as the archiving never stops… here are some grabs from the recent transfer of the only existing print that we have, there is one me we know about, but have not had luck getting to see it’s condition as of yet. The print itself is in great condition, there are no splices, but it is scratched.  Anyway, some nice results from a print.

All part of the never ending archiving and constant film transfers from Video-X-Pix/Distribpix, some stuff is better than others, but most importantly these amazing films are getting put into historical context from the people who made them, the films are being re-stored, and new fans are finding us everyday!!!

Some screen grabs from the Spirit 2k Datacine Transfer:

RADLEY METZGER’s SCORE

by the CINEFAMILY and CULT EPICS

What a great screening, the film looks very good on Blu Ray, the colors are very rich and there was still a nice film quality. All in all , it was an incredibly pleasant event. Radley Metzger did a very entertaining Q/A after the screening and was greeting guests on the patio. I found the film to be entertaining and actually very erotic, and the night was great. And finally, I got my picture……..Radley Metzger is a living legend!

@2010 Evart Enterprises

 

THE EARLY FILMS OF BILL LUSTIG

Most of the films fans out there know of Bill Lustig as one of the more prolific cult/horror filmmakers of the late 70′s and early 80′s. Some of his more well know films are Maniac Cop and Vigilante, and they both are legendary cult classics. Today Bill is the owner of one of the most cutting edge re-releasing companies, Blue Underground. He is totally committed to quality, integrity and is a really great guy. I have gotten to know more about Bill, and we got  to spend some great time over this past summer. He is one of the most interesting guys I have ever met.

But before Bill, became a famous director, he began his career in a way that is quite common for most young independent film makers, but it is still a bit surprising and very interesting. In the 70′s, as Bill was starting his career, he directed two porno films, both were quite successful theatrically and still sell to this day, very well on DVD. They were known as the films of” Billy Bagg”(we learn why in the commentary).These 2 films payed in dozens of theaters across the country and made a lot of money at the World Theatre in NYC, as well as the Pussycat adn even at the Ofarell’s Screening Room in San Francisco.

The 2 films are ‘Hot Honey’ with Heather Young, Jack Hammer and Robin Byrd and ‘The Violation of Claudia’ with Sharon Mitchell, Jamie Gillis and Serena.

As part of a tribute, to the only 2 adult films of Bill Lustig’s career we are preparing to release a double feature of these films, so this past Saturday Bill was gracious enough to meet us at a Sound Studio in Burbank, in order to record a full length commentary for each film. In addition, Bill brought one of his friends who thought it would be an interesting commentary. He brought Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, who is one of the hottest up and coming directors today and has directed films like ‘Bronson’ , ‘The Pusher Trilogies’ and ‘Valhalla Rising’.

The content of the commentaries are simply amazing, The stories that Bill has to tell are absolutely amazing and Nic’s insight was remarkable. This is going to be a great release and any fan of Bill Lusting, should have this.

-Thanks so much to Bill Lusting and Nic Winding.

-Audio commentary shot at Bang Zoom Entertainment in Burbank.

 

Bill Lusting and Nic Winding Refn.....doing 'Biily Bagg" commentaries

THE VIOLATION OF CLAUDIA

HOT HONEY

Roommates, at least 2 of them!!!

Just another quick update on the ‘Roomates’ project. As you may already know we have taken a very serious approach to archiving and we are constantly doing as much as we can in our power to preserve this golden age legacy. We do that with film archiving, preservation, interviews, commentaries, collecting, etc. Some projects start and then stall and then start again, Thankfully, we were finally able to get the girls together!!

On Saturday afternoon we drove about 45 minutes north of LA into Ventura County to interview 2 of the sultry stars of Chuck Vincent’s sexual melodrama, ‘Roommates”. Veronica Hart and Kelly Nichols were both on hand and we had an absolutely wonderful shoot. We had several cameras, video and stills. There was an hour interview, with facts/stories that would blow your mind, which was follows by a full 89 minute commentary over the film. All of this footage will be part of the Roomates-Platinum Elite release, as bonus features ,etc. The footage we shot was excellent.

Other features planned for the relaease are a full length commentary with the infamous Larry Revene, who was Chuck Vincent’s DP, on almost everything. And maybe some other surprises……..

I want to thank the entire technical team, especially Paul and Dave, and a huge shout out to Cass, Joe and Casey….great job.

And of course, Veronica and Kelly–you guys are sweethearts.

Here are some behind the scenes pics from the shoot:

'Roommates Set'

 

 

Hair and Make-Up, Kelly is a famous make up artist as well

Kelly Nichols and Veronica Hart on set of "Roommates" video commentary

WE WANT SAMANTHA!!!!

Wanda Whips Wallstreet at the New Beverly Cinema

What an amazing event..This past Friday at midnight was the screening of Wanda Whips Wallstreet at the New Beverly Cinema in Hollywood. It was so great to see so many fans come out to enjoy some old school stags. I want to thank Midnight Grind , The New Beverly Cinema and all the grindhouse fans that came out and enjoyed the night with us, really impressive turn out!!

Earlier in the evening I was honored to host a small dinner to celebrate the event, and I was joined by a great group of dear friends, and of course  Jane Hamilton(Veronica Hart) was our guest of honor. As usual, she was incredibly gracious and sweet.

By the way, the mexican food was great….thank you adam for ordering me that Carne Asada Burrito!

We all headed over to the theater, where there was already a line at the box office of fans who were out to see the film and meet Jane. I was so overjoyed. The film was proceeded by a short introduction by Midnight Grind’s Joe Rubin and a raffle in which many fans received copies of ‘Wanda’ on DVD, some great posters, and other random ephemera.

The decision to show an entire half hour of trailers was absolutely brilliant and in a way, sort of stole the show. I mean, the crowd was absolutely hystercial!!!! I really did love all the trailers, they were great, but if I had to choose my 2 favorites, they would be ‘Joy’ and ‘Every Inch a Lady’……amazing.

The feature was great, lots of laughs and a classic film, by the late and great Chuck Vincent, with some awesome performances from porn’s treasure chest of talent.

ATTENTION GRIND HOUSE THEATERS AROUND THE USA, the DISTRIBIX archives is here, it is alive and it is well!!!

posting pics of the night.

SPECIAL THANKS to adam,joe,jane,stan,nekmiss,nate,brad,adam,moss,cass,New Bev Cinema,

'EL COYOTE'

THE NEW BEVERLY CINEMA

VERONICA HART in person

THEATER MARQUEE POSTER- original

adam,steven,jane,joe

BILL LUSTIG’S VIGILANTE at the NEW BEVERLY CINEMA

just a quick update from Sunny Los Angeles. Been here for 2 full days, amazing, amazing time.  Taking care of business and sitting in lots of traffic. LOL!!

Last night was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I have never before been to the New Beverly Cinema, and I was there to see Bill Lustig’s VIGILANTE!! . The entire experience was amazing. The theater, for those of you who have not been there, is exceptional. Clean, and very well maintained, the entire place is spot on and they know what they are doing.

The film was introduced by Bill Lustig and then there was a lengthy Q/A after the film, that was moderated by Brian Quinn of Grindhouse Film Festival. Several stars were present, Robert Forster, Fred Williamson, Frank Pesce. These guys truly have a wonderful relationship and it was a wonderful night, they were all incredibly nice, entertaining, funny and truly genuine.

I was amazed at the intensity of the film crowd, they were very involved, loud and lots of clapping when the bad guys get their due!!! It was awesome and they ran some great trailers before the show.

I am now on my way to a wonderful dinner in honor of Jane Hamilton(Veronica Hart) and then we will all be heading back the the New Beverly Cinema, for a midnight screening of Wanda Whips Wallstreet, it is going to be great, lots of giveaways and a great film with great trailers. Thanks again in advance to the New Beverly and Midnight Grind for all they do.

I will leave you with a photo that a very nice guy snapped of me and THE HAMMER, in front of the theater.

me and the "hammer"

EROTIC MEMOIRS OF A MALE CHAUVINIST PIG- PLATINUM ELITE

The liner notes are finished and they are very interesting and entertaining. COMING SOON- fall-winter schedule!!

Here is a sneak peak at the new box art: