42nd Street Forever Vol. 3: Exploitation

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

Synapse Films has raised the bar for trailer compilations with this impressive disc of 42nd Street Forever Vol. 3: Exploitation Explosion. The quality of the film materials varies from trailer to trailer since there are no negative sources to work from but the producers have done a nice job cleaning up the trailers for this disc and giving them an anamorphic, widescreen transfer that looks pretty nice overall. The disc utilizes the mono audio of the trailers and only runs into problems when the source material has been damaged -- otherwise, the sound is clear throughout. The disc also supplies some worthwhile extras. First off, there is a handful of t.v. spots for various films that mix t.v. edits of theatrical trailers included in the disc's main program with new items. Better yet, is a commentary track for the main program of trailers by producer Edwin Samuelson with Fangoria editor Michael Gingold and film historian Chris Poggiali. The trio unleashes a dazzling array of info as the trailers unfurl, including several interesting behind-the-scenes tales on the production and release for several of these films (the tales about Savage Streets are particularly eye-opening). The overall effect is like a mini-education in exploitation filmmaking history and the track is a must-listen for cult film addicts. In short, 42nd Street Forever Vol. 3: Exploitation Explosion is a necessary purchase for any and all b-movie aficionados. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: All
• Number of Discs: 1
• Audio: Dolby Digital Mono
• Screen: Color
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 (Alternate Wide Screen)
• Features:
  • Audio commentary featuring Fangoria Managing Editor Michael Gingold, Film Historian Chris Poggiali and Avmaniacs editor Edwin Samuelson
  • Vintage television spots

REVIEW:

• The third volume of the 42nd Street Forever trailer compilation series brings it to a new level. Like the past volumes, it supplies the entertaining history lesson in exploitation filmmaking that fans expect: trailers like 5 Fingers Of Death, Beyond The Door and Guyana: Cult Of The Damned bring back the days when drive-ins and grindhouse theaters were packed with colorful, outrageous fare that was sold to the viewer with plenty of carny-styled hype. However, 42nd Street Forever Vol. 3: Exploitation Explosion avoids the fatigue that often sets in with trailer collections by keeping the selection of trailers tight and focused. The selections are arranged into themes that are never allowed to wear out their welcome and the trailers maintain a consistent level of entertainment value from start to finish. Better yet, the list of titles covers everything from exploitative docudramas (the plane-crash/cannibalism opus Survive!) to raunchy comedies (the unbelievable Animal House ripoff King Frat). Other highlights include the unexpectedly artful surrealism of the Phase IV trailer, the hilarious all-star Euro-sploitation antics of Killer Fish and the jaw-dropping surprise of seeing Charles Bronson in a light-hearted romantic comedy via From Noon Till Three. In short, 42nd Street Forever Vol. 3: Exploitation Explosion is a primo example of the trailer collection and will entertain veteran fans and neophytes alike. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi