Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
Well folks, we can’t believe it’s almost here already, Christmas time has rolled around again and Santa hats and Christmas jumpers are being wielded with intent across the country.
Whether you are looking for epic box sets or last minute stocking fillers, this year has had some great offerings. The team here at Road Rash have assembled some of our favourite contenders for the gift list this year.
First up this year, it’s all about the Box Sets, ideal gifts and catering to a range of tastes. Road Rash recommend retro game show Give Us A Clue, the hilarious Tommy Cooper at ITV, for fans of the supernatural Fortean TV, for martial arts enthusiasts Shawscope Volume 2 and for Gerry Anderson fans a real treat, Space: 1999 Super Space Theater and Stingray: The Complete Series super Deluxe.
5 star collection of celebrity charades.
Give Us A Clue was a British televised game show, presented by Michael Aspel, running from 1979 to 1984, when the show changed presenters.
Presented here are all the episodes from the Michael Aspel era, now available on DVD courtesy of Network.
“I was drunk with the success. Oh, I was throbbing with it. Oh, it’s marvellous...more
5 star compilation of a vintage comedy genius.
For four decades Tommy Cooper was a familiar and welcome sight on televisions across the UK. He appeared in numerous TV shows and specials throughout his career and here Network have assembled every existing episode which was recorded for the regional independent television stations.
“Your plum tart is baked, go back to your business.”
This...more
5 Star
Shaolin on the Rampage.
ARROW VIDEO have done it again, but even bigger this time as we see volume 2 of the masters of Martial Arts film making the Shaw Brothers. Ten, yes, ten disks. Fourteen action packed films (See below) and two disks of soundtracks. Brilliant stuff. Volume two should be the Christmas present for any Kung Fu fan...more
4 star exploration into the psyche of a generation.
Fortean TV was a documentary show presented by the biker jacket clad Reverend Lionel Fanthorpe (Bloodline, The History of the Devil) who brought tales of the weird and wonderful into our homes on a weekly basis.
Directed by Luke Campbell (Dare Devils, Bodyshock), it was originally aired in 1996/1997 and is very representative...more
5 Star
You’ll Believe We Lost Our Moon in 1999.
After the success of the original Star Wars, ITC decided to cut together episodes to make four Space 1999 feature films under the banner Super Space Theater. Now Network bring us the Blu-ray five disk release to please all fan’s of the show and introduce Space 1999 to a new generation of...more
5 Star
Stand By For… Wait a Sec
The Action is Here. And it is in HD.
This is the one the Gerry Anderson/Sylvia Anderson fans have been waiting for. Yes, Stingray in all its HD beauty. The 1964 Supermarionation series that enthralled young and old in front of those TVs that couldn’t show what was really going on (Ours was black and...more
This year has also seen a lot of classics remastered to 4K UHD and here are a few of our favourites. We have the sci-fi classic Silent Running, action packed films The Driver and Raw Deal, creature-features King Kong (1976) and Tremors and two epic films, The Wolf of Wall Street and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
4 Star
An Eco-Warrior in Space.
Douglas Trumbull (Brainstorm) cut his Sci-Fi teeth creating effects on 2001: A Space Odyssey, he used what he learned to make his directorial début with this eco-based Sci-Fi classic, an oddball film then /and now but still a great watch especially with all the Special Features (See Below). Just wondering if SpaceX has anything planned.
On Earth,...more
4 Star
Let the Car-nage Begin.
STUDIOCANAL brings us petrol heads, one of the best car films of the 70s, with this Walter Hill (The Warriors, The Long Riders, 48 Hours, Brewster’s Millions) film, underrated at the time of release, but it has gone on to inspire other writer/directors (Quentin Tarantino, Nicolas Winding Refn, and Edgar Wright), and computer games. Now on...more
4 Star
Arnie Delivers Back in the 80s’.
From STUDIOCANAL comes one of Arnold Schwarzenegger (Red Heat, Conan the Barbarian, The Terminator, Commando, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Aftermath) classic action films. Directed by John Irvin (Hamburger Hill, The Dogs of War), from a story of Sergio Leone‘s (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, A Fistful of Dynamite) screenwriters Luciano Vincenzoni (For...more
4 star restoration of a classic B movie remake.
This retelling of the King Kong story was originally released in 1976, produced by Dino De Laurentiis (Conan the Barbarian, Dune) and directed by John Guillermin (The Towering Inferno, Death on the Nile).
This 2022 restoration is presented for the first time in 4K courtesy of Studiocanal and Paramount Pictures.
“In 1749, a waterlogged...more
4 Star
The Cult Film of Cult Films
Writers S.S. Wilson (Short Circuit, Tremors (TV Series)), Brent Maddock (*batteries not included, Wild Wild West) and Ron Underwood (Tremors 2: Aftershocks, Tremors: Shrieker Island) came up with the homage of homages in this love letter to the B-movies of the 1950s, and they spawned a franchise that is still going today. Also directing...more
4 star glorious restoration of an American classic.
The Wolf of Wall Street is an American true life drama based on the incredible antics of stock broker Jordan Belfort. Originally released in 2013, it features a screenplay by Terence Winter (The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire) and was directed by the legend that is Martin Scorsese (Hugo, The Aviator).
“The world of investing can...more
4 Star
4K Medieval Skulduggery.
From Arrow Video comes the definitive version of the 1991 smash hit American blockbuster, set in twelfth century feudal England. Directed by Kevin Reynolds (Fandango, The Beast of War), his first with Costner (Waterworld). You know the story now relive the movie in 4K, in the comfort of your own home, or a great Xmas gift for...more
Why not treat your loved ones to a Blockbuster this Christmas with Top Gun: Maverick, The Lost City, or celebrate the life of our lovely late Queen with Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts.
5 stars, the film we’ve all been waiting for.
Thirty six years after the release of Top Gun, the long awaited sequel Top Gun: Maverick blasts onto our screens with all the sound and fury you would hope for from the follow up to one of the most iconic films of the eighties.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski (TRON: Legacy, Oblivion), this breath...more
4 star lighthearted action packed summer comedy.
The Lost City is a 2022 American comedy film, based on a story written by Seth Gordon (Pixels). It features a screenplay by Oren Uziel (22 Jump Street) and Dana Fox (Cruella), as well as Aaron Nee and Adam Nee (Band of Robbers), who also direct.
It is available in the UK from 25th July 2022...more
4 Star
From a Toddler on a Pony to Annus Horribilis and Beyond.
From the director that brought us such favourites as The Buddha of Suburbia and Notting Hill, Roger Michel brings us an archive lead documentary about the most famous female nonagenarian, Queen Elizabeth II.
Elizabeth: A Portrait in Parts is a light-hearted look at archive footage and social commentary throughout our...more
If you’re looking for something with a festive theme, why not try Christmas horror film The Leech, glorious blast from the past Carry on Christmas and the hilarious Bar Fight!
3 star cautionary Christmas horror tale.
The Leech is a 2022 American comedy/horror film written and directed by Eric Pennyhoff (Sadistic Intentions)
It is presented here in on Special Edition Blu-ray in 1080p courtesy of Arrow Video from 5th December 2022.
“When we help others, we bring them face to face with God, by bringing them face to face with us.”
Father David (Graham...more
4 star classic festive double entendre.
Following their enormous success in the cinema, The Carry On films producer Peter Rogers was approached by Thames Television to produce a seasonal Christmas Carry On broadcast for ITV. Between 1969 and 1973, four Christmas specials were produced. These classic festive treats are now assembled on 2 disc DVD courtesy of Network Press.
“Mr Cratchit? I...more
4 stars of hilarious pub game action.
Bar Fight! is a 2022 American comedy written and directed by Jim Mahoney in his brilliant feature directorial debut. It is available in the UK on Digital Platforms from 14th November 2022 courtesy of Signature Entertainment.
“I dig him. He’s like a chocolate Clark Kent. His work is impressive.”
Nina (Melissa Fumero – Driver X, Brooklyn...more
For the horror fan in your life, there have been many great releases this year, head over to our Halloween Guide to check them out. Alternatively, why not treat your horror loving buddies or family members to a Shudder subscription, premium horror all year round including gems such as Christmas Bloody Christmas, A Wounded Fawn, The Spine of Night, Raven’s Hollow and Glorious.
4 star snow covered festive bloodbath.
Christmas Bloody Christmas is a 2022 American horror film written and directed by Joe Begos (Bliss, Almost Human), who also enjoys a brief and very messy cameo.
It is a Shudder Original, available on the streaming service from 9th December 2022, just in time for Christmas.
“A dude. A man. Okay, on Christmas Eve you’re going to...more
4 star satisfying psychadelic revenge horror.
A Wounded Fawn is a 2022 American horror film, witten by Nathan Faudree and Travis Stevens (Jakob’s Wife) who also directs.
Following it’s World Premier at the Tribeca Festival, this Shudder Original is now available to stream exclusivley on the streaming service.
“I suddenly became aware that I was both mortal and touchable and that I could...more
4 stars of hyper-violent blood soaked animation.
The Spine of Night is a 2021 adult animation written and directed by Philip Gelatt (Love, Death and Robots) and Morgan Galen King.
This ambitious and gory homage to the animated films of the eighties is a Shudder Exclusive, available to stream on Shudder.com and on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital Platforms from 24th October 2022 courtesy of Acorn...more
4 star delightfully dark gothic horror.
Ravens Hollow is an American gothic horror film, written by Chuck Reeves (Ogre) and Christopher Hatton (Battle of the Damned) who also directs. It is a Shudder Original film, available on the streaming service from 22nd September 2022.
“Anybody tell me why we’re going to see a scarecrow?”
This film follows an undocumented period in the life...more
4 star gruesomely hilarious cosmic horror.
Glorious is a 2022 American horror film, directed by Rebekah McKendry (All the Creatures Were Stirring). Written by Todd Rigney (Found), Joshua Hull (Choppping Block) and David Ian McKendry (Psycho Granny), it is a Shudder Original which will be available to stream exclusively on Shudder from 18th August 2022.
“You know, some things may seem broken, but...more
If you like your anime, here are a couple of new releases, Samurai 7 Collector’s Edition, Vinland Saga and Is This a Zombie S1 and S2.
4 Star
Akira Kurosaw’s Classic
Reborn.
The story of a village plagued by bandits takes a futuristic twist with Samurai 7. The country has been plagued with war for years and the Samurai were the fighting force, until the mechanical Samurai came along. But in the end it was the merchants that came out on top, and the mechanical Samurai ‘the Nobuseri’, turn...more
4 Star
A Life Full of Hate.
This historical anime comes from the manga of the same name, written and illustrated by Makoto Yukimura (Planetes). Here in the Uk we all know the events of 1066, but these events are the precursor to the changing face of Saxon Briton. Expect nonchalant violence and buckets of blood.
In a Viking sea battle at Hjörungavágr,...more
4 Star
A Necromancers Pet Zombie.
This MVM Entertainment release is based on the light novel by series by Shinichi Kimura, with illustrations by Kobuichi and Muririn. Where a young man meets a young woman who doesn’t speak, she writes everything down, for the first time he has had the courage to talk to a girl. On his way home, he comes...more
Fans of romantic comedies will absolutely love Mr.Malcolm’s List and Marry Me, while young adults will relish retro series The Owl Service and the daring Alex Rider Season 1.
4 star feel good romantic comedy.
Mr Malcolm’s List is a 2022 period romantic comedy directed by Emma Holly Jones (her extremely well handled directorial debut) and written by Suzanne Allain, based on her own novel.
It is available to own on Blu-ray and DVD from 14th November 2022, courtesy of Dazzler Media.
“The biggest catch of the season in the year of...more
4 star uplifting and fun rom com.
Marry Me is a 2022 romantic comedy musical, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Bobby Crosby. Directed by Kat Coiro (Daddy Issues, A Case of You) it has a screenplay by John Rogers (Catwoman, The Core), Tami Sagher (30 Rock) and Harper Dill (The Mick).
Marry Me is available to buy...more
4 star restoration of a supernatural classic teen drama.
The Owl Service is a mini series, based on the multi award winning and beloved story of the same name by Alan Garner (Elidor, The Moon of Gomrath), who also wrote the screenplay.
Directed by Peter Plummer (Crown Court, Tickle on the Tum), this ground breaking and influential series was originally aired in...more
4 star teen spy action thriller.
Alex Rider: Season 1 is based on the series of spy novels for young adults written by Anthony Horowitz (The Power of Five). It is a British spy thriller, created for television by Guy Burt (The Hole, Joe All Alone) and will be available on DVD in the UK from 3rd October 2022, courtesy of...more
Last and by no means least, if you’re looking for stocking fillers then look no further than the magnificent Studio Canal’s Vintage Classics collection, which really does feature something for everyone.
Studiocanal’s iconic Vintage Classics Collection has now reached over 100 titles.
Studiocanal’s marvelous Vintage Classics Collection has reached an amazing milestone, the collection now contains over 100 brilliantly remastered classics of British cinema.
In celebration, Studiocanal has created the excellent Vintage Classics website here, which is packed with information about all of the films, including stills, extras, details about the restorations and...more
Well, there you have it, this year’s recommendations for your festive viewing pleasure. Get filling those stockings and on behalf of RoadRash Reviews we would like to wish all our readers a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!
Category: Gift Guide