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DVD Cover Art and Full Details For ‘Dark Dreams: Volume 1’
They’ve created the dreams that mark our nightmares, forging an unforgettable world of dark fantasy, horror and suspense. After 30 years of accruing in-depth interviews, award-winning author Stanley Wiater has created the ultimate video library of horror icons as Smash Vision presents DARK DREAMERS: VOLUME 1. This four-DVD set, featuring interviews with over 30 writers, directors, producers, actors and SFX artists–including one of the last interviews with the legendary Forrest J Ackerman–will be available on January 27th at a suggested retail price of $24.99. The series will continue with future volumes throughout 2009.
“Without a doubt, `Dark Dreamers(TM)’ represents the most comprehensive DVD catalog of interviews with some of the greatest talents the horror world has ever known,” said Steve Kaplan, Production Manager, Gotham Distributing Corporation, the distribution company for Smash Vision. “Only a dark dreamer himself could have put together such an iconic compilation, and Stanley Wiater is such a person, placing himself within the masters of horror inner circle. There’s no question that any true horror fan will need to have this volume in their collection.”
From Forest J Ackerman to Clive Barker; John Saxon to Wes Craven; Peter Straub to Larry Cohen…..the artistic world of horror would not exist without these dark dreamers. Why did they enter this dimension? How did they make their mark? What is it about their craft that drives their passion? Respected journalist and horror aficionado Stanley Wiater spent three decades interviewing his renowned subjects, and their stories will entertain, enlighten, and perhaps even scare the dark dreamer in us all.
Stanley Wiater has been acclaimed as “the world’s leading authority on horror filmmakers and authors” (Radio/TV Interview Report), “the master journalist of the dark genres” (World of Fandom), and “the top horror journalist in North America for the past 25 years” (Rue Morgue). His 14 award-winning books–and more than 700 interviews, articles, short stories, profiles, comic book scripts, reviews, and essays–have been translated into 10 languages.
Smash Vision is a newly-formed home entertainment company, dedicated to acquiring and distributing quality, unique DVD titles with collectors in mind. The wide array of programming will include classic films and television shows; new independent feature films; cult “gems;” and documentaries.
Editorials
Arrow Video’s ‘Stranger Things: The Complete Series’ is the Ultimate Collector’s Box Set for Fans
Available as of today from Arrow Video is a new box set that might arguably be the definitive way to watch Netflix’s blockbuster series Stranger Things.
At the very least, Stranger Things: The Complete Series puts emphasis on “complete.” That’s evident in its special features alone.
Special and Deluxe editions of Stranger Things: The Complete Series are available for purchase now, featuring an array of exclusive bonus content, including bloopers, interviews with the cast and crew, and behind-the-scenes featurettes, designed for the ultimate Stranger Things experience.
The Deluxe Edition is presented in custom packaging featuring newly-commissioned artwork, alongside a wealth of extra material: a 148-page booklet, exclusive art cards, a Hellfire Club patch, double-sided posters for each season, and much more.
This limited-edition release features all 42 episodes of the show’s five season run on more than 25 discs, all housed in a set featuring gorgeous artwork by Juan Ramos. “We always dreamed that Stranger Things could be owned in its entirety,” said Matt and Ross Duffer, “not just as a collector’s set, but as a way to preserve the show for decades to come.”
Their imprint looms large over the release, including writing in the 148-page book that also includes original design sketches, concept art, and storyboards. All of which would warrant the steep price tag alone for the diehard Stranger Things fan, but Arrow Video upped the ante with collectible surprises as well. Arcade patches, stickers, Hellfire Club dice, and an extremely detailed map of Hawkins, Indiana- double-sided to account for the Upside Down, of course – are among the highlights for this all-ages set.
Adorn your walls with posters representative of your favorite season! That’s also an option with this set’s offerings.
All of which to say that it’s rare for Netflix to make the jump into physical media, and they’ve enlisted Arrow Video to give it the best possible treatment. They certainly brought utmost care and attention to this release. As such, both the standard and deluxe sets come with steep price tags that start at $160 depending on format. While that’s likely a deterrent to the casual viewer, it’s more than worth it for fans.
It may be less convenient than hitting play on Netflix, sure, but there’s a lot to be said about the potential for quality upgrades to your viewing. No spotty internet or compression issues to be found here when it comes to the 4K Ultra HD or Blu-ray discs.
That’s really the biggest takeaway from this release: the untapped potential still of Netflix’s streaming library of originals that are ripe for similar treatment. Series and films that could receive Arrow Video levels of treatment on physical media.
Fans of Stranger Things can venture into the Upside Down one last time this spooky season at Halloween Horror Nights, but there may be no better way to ring in the series’ tenth anniversary than a rewatch with this expansive, well-curated box set.
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