Director Mark Herrier's 1991 horror film POPCORN has had to travel a long road to get to Blu-ray, a road that goes back even further than the announcement three years ago that its Blu-ray release would be coming courtesy of Synapse Films. POPCORN's troubles are all behind it now, as Synapse has revealed the specs and release date for their DVD/Blu-ray combo pack release of the film, which will come in steelbook packaging.
Not familiar with POPCORN? Here's a synopsis:
What could be scarier than an all-night “Horrorthon”? A group of film students finds out when they stage just such an event at an abandoned movie palace. In addition to the three features — MOSQUITO, THE ATTACK OF THE AMAZING ELECTRIFIED MAN and THE STENCH — they decide to screen a bizarre short called THE POSSESSOR, whose creator, Lanyard Gates, killed his family and set the theater on fire after its first showing. Maggie (Jill Schoelen, THE STEPFATHER) has been having frightening dreams that seem to be connected to THE POSSESSOR, and as the festival proceeds, the nightmare comes true for her and her friends as they are stalked and slain by a mysterious killer. Has Gates survived to continue THE POSSESSOR’s deadly legacy?
With Schoelen in the cast of the film, which is described as a loving homage to the B-movies of the '50s and '60s, are Dee Wallace, Tony Roberts, Ray Walston, Malcolm Danare, and Kelly Jo Minter.
POPCORN was written by Alan Ormsby (CHILDREN SHOULDN'T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS, DERANGED, CAT PEOPLE 1982) under the name Tod Hackett. Ormsby also directed the footage shot for the films within the film.
The special features that have been assembled for this release:
– All Region Encoded/Playable Worldwide!
– All-New 2K Scan of an Archival 35mm Interpositive
– All-New Blu-ray 7.1 Surround Sound Mix Supervised by Synapse Films (Original 2.0 Stereo Mix Included)
– All-New 5.1 Surround Mix for DVD
– Audio Commentary with Director Mark Herrier, Stars Jill Schoelen, Malcolm Danare, and Special Makeup Effects Artist Mat Falls
– Midnight Madness: The Making of “Popcorn” featuring interviews with Director Mark Herrier, Stars Jill Schoelen, Derek Rydall, Dee Wallace, Malcolm Danare, Ivette Soler, and Elliott Hurst, Special Makeup Effects Artist Mat Falls, Composer Paul Zaza, and Distributor Executive Jonathan Wolf (55 mins, HD)
– Electric Memories – An Interview with Actor Bruce Glover
– Original Theatrical Trailer, Television Trailer and TV Spots
– Still Gallery
– Liner Notes and Cover Copy from Michael Gingold
– English Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
– Cover art by Justin Osbourn/Slasher Design
POPCORN fans have been clamoring for a release like this for over a decade, but if you want to add this Blu-ray/DVD combo to your collection you'll have to act fast. This release is limited to just 3000 units, and it will only be available through Synapse-Films.com. International orders will be handled by DiabolikDVD.
Copies are expected to start shipping out on March 7th.