2002 NEWS ARCHIVE

"JIGSAW" IS HERE TO TEAR YOU APART! (10/26/2002): Don Adams and Harry James Picardi, the duo behind last year's VENGENCE OF THE DEAD, have returned from the wilds of Wisconsin with JIGSAW!

JIGSAW is the story of a small college art class and their "final" exam. The assignment: to divvy up the limbs of an ordinary mannequin and for each of the five classmates to take their limb home and decorate it. The decorated limbs will be reassembled for the class at the end of the week. The catch: the class will be held in the local bar and the students must explain the true intentions of their project before burning the reassembled effigy in an attempt to cathartically dispel their darkest secrets. But the class has made a fatal mistake -- through the efforts of their expression, each limb has come to embody a piece of their personalities they'd rather forget. Now, recombined, with the fiery motivation for revenge, their final project has formed a life of its own...all JIGSAW needs is a body of flesh to house his dark soul. And he'll get it, one piece at a time!

Those who witnessed VENGEANCE OF THE DEAD can expect a more well-rounded experience from JIGSAW's co-creators. Don Adams and Harry James Picardi have made a honest, heartfelt effort to craft a film far beyond the psychological aspects of your average Full Moon production (which is also the company's last with Tempe Entertainment, who co-present JIGSAW).

"The biggest difference between JIGSAW and VENGEANCE OF THE DEAD would have to be the seven-year gap between the productions -- the amount of growth and experience for both Harry and I, and the crew," co-director Don Adams explains. JIGSAW deals with "what's inside people, what makes them behave the way they do, and what that leads to...it pretty much reflects the way we are in life, which you would hope your movies would do. Especially when you're talking about a big killer puppet — I mean, that's so ridiculous, the only way to work it is to treat it as seriously as possible."

The movie isn't ALL serious as Adams reveals: "We've never been fans of funny horror movies. And yet somehow, we have made one. It's very reactionary — bitter maybe, coping humor. And most of the laughs are in the first half...once the supernatural takes over, there's really no time for anybody to be doing anything but dying."

Adams and partner-in-crime Harry James Picardi produced, edited, wrote and directed JIGSAW over a sparse two and a half month period. The pair went days without sleep and maintained a level of commitment that could only come from a true love of filmmaking at every stage of the grueling production. The production itself is detailed on Full Moon's double-feature DVD in a hilarious making-of featurette, possibly the best in Tempe history!

Ultimately, Adams himself sums up the film best: "To me, the best part about JIGSAW is it stands on its own -- you don't need to hear how little it cost, or how it was made, or the odds against it — all you gotta do is watch it. It's got some great tunes, and woodsy night exteriors, Tangerine Dreamy keyboards, chicks in their underwear, a feeling of impending doom, it's got ideas — it's an honest to God horror movie, it could have come from 1985."

JIGSAW premiered on the big screen at Chicago's Flashback Weekend this past August, thrilling a packed house with its unique blend of intelligent humor and psychological horror.

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WIZARD VIDEO BOWS TEMPE CLASSICS (10/26/2002): As we reported previously, Wizard Video is being resurrected by Shadow Entertainment and they're debuting two Tempe classics in November and January, respectively.

First up is SKINNED ALIVE, which hits the streets (again) November 19, 2002. The Wizard version has rung up a whopping 10,000 units sold between Blockbuster and Hollywood Video so if you've been holding off on seeing it, now is your chance to rent it at your favorite outlets. The Wizard version has been stripped of most of the special features including on the Tempe DVD, but both VHS & DVD include the remastered print with 5.1 surround mix and the rave-reviewed "Cut to the Bone" featurette; the DVD also includes the original commentary by J.R. Bookwalter and David Lange.

Hitting the streets on January 7, 2003 is a peculiar urban-action title called STREET ZOMBIES which may look a little familiar to Tempe fans. That's because Wizard has resurrected our 1994 release OZONE as STREET ZOMBIES, and it will be your first look at the newly-remastered edition complete with 5.1 surround remix! The Wizard DVD will also feature an exclusive commentary with director J.R. Bookwalter (the Tempe Special Edition DVD to follow next year will not include this). We'll have copies of STREET ZOMBIES available to order online by year's end so keep an eye out for it!

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WHAT DO PRICELINE.COM AND TEMPEVIDEO.COM HAVE IN COMMON? (10/26/2002): ...the answer, of course, is the infamous William Shatner.

Tempe fans may recall that J.R. Bookwalter produced a sci-fi flick two years ago called GROOM LAKE directed by and co-starring the one and only "Captain Kirk". The fruits of their labors are coming to home video at long last on January 7th, 2003 from Shadow Entertainment. We'll have copies of the no-frills DVD release available in late December along with Wizard Video's STREET ZOMBIES (aka OZONE) so stay tuned to the website!

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TEMPE INVADES THE SCI-FI CHANNEL! (8/30/2002): Hey folks...this weekend and next you can catch a glimpse of two of the films Tempe Entertainment has made for Full Moon as part of WILLIAM SHATNER'S FULL MOON FRIGHT NIGHT! Tune your cable television to the Sci-Fi Channel and check out...

HORRORVISION
Saturday, Aug. 31st, 2002 at 11 p.m.
Starring JAMES BLACK (OZONE), MAGGIE ROSE FLECK (STITCHES)
Directed by DANNY DRAVEN
All I can say is we were two years up on FEARDOTCOM...and they stole this film's original title, too. ;-)  Features cameos by Brinke Stevens and Ariauna Albright.

WITCHOUSE 2: BLOOD COVEN
Saturday, Sept. 7th, 2002 at 11 p.m.
Starrring ARIAUNA ALBRIGHT (BLOODLETTING), ANDREW PRINE (GRIZZLY), KAYCEE SHANK (STITCHES)
Directed by J.R. BOOKWALTER
Shot in Romania, this was our first 35mm production and took the WITCHOUSE series in a whole new direction (a tradition that would continue in WITCHOUSE 3: DEMON FIRE). Look for STITCHES and HELL ASYLUM starlet Debra Mayer in a cameo with Shatner during one of the wraparounds!

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"OZONE" REMASTERING IS COMPLETE! (8/30/2002): We've been mentioning for a few years now that J.R. Bookwalter has been working on remastering his landmark 1994 shot-on-video feature OZONE for Special Edition DVD, bringing the movie's technical aspects closer to current standards.

For those who don't know, OZONE was the first film Bookwalter made after nine features in a row for Cinema Home Video that ended in 1992. This $3,500 wonder was shot with a consumer-level S-VHS-C camcorder but impressed critics and fans alike when it was first released by Tempe Video in January, 1994 for its use of lighting, special effects and atmosphere.

"I don't even take the credit to be honest," Bookwalter says humbly. "I just made some obvious moves, like casting James Black." Black was a veteran of several Cinema Home Video-era movies (his acting debut) and with OZONE under his belt, he set off for Hollywood and soon became a legitimate talent to be reckoned with both on television (THE BURNING ZONE, WILL & GRACE, DON KING: ONLY IN AMERICA) and on the big screen (SOLIDER, OUT OF SIGHT, UNIVERSAL SOLDIER: THE RETURN). Black is in almost every frame of the film, and his on-screen presence was a clear sign of things to come. Sharing the spotlight with James Black was a variety of supporting roles, including Tempe staple Tom Hoover (POLYMORPH, DEAD & ROTTING), Lori Scarlett (TOWNIES, MIDNIGHT 2), James L. Edwards (BLOODLETTING, who plays THREE roles!) and Bill Morrison (ROBOT NINJA). Also look for cameos by TOWNIES director Wayne A. Harold, DEAD NEXT DOOR producer Scott P. Plummer and even Bookwalter himself, whistling the theme to THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW!

So what can fans expect of the "new & improved" OZONE? "We just finished a really kick-ass 5.1 surround remix," Bookwalter gushes. "If you've heard the 5.1 mixes on WITCHOUSE 2 & 3, then imagine that kind of intensity applied to OZONE. Every sound effect and ambience has been completely rebuilt for 5.1, although we were careful to retain most of the original dialogue -- which wasn't easy because the S-VHS Hi-Fi sound was not so good to begin with. The sound finally matches the stong visuals after all these years!" Expect exploding heads and mutant transformations to completely envelope you this time around, further enhanced by the excellent original score from German composer Jens C. Moller and an all-new version of Matthew Jason Walsh's "Into the Black" end title song with vocals from WITCHOUSE 3's Melanie Nowlin.

When OZONE was first released, it was a forerunner in the use of computer desktop special effects, including perhaps the first use of morphing effects in low-budget films (and certainly in no-budget films). "The problem then," explains Bookwalter, "was there was no way to get moving video into the Amiga computer. So all the morphs were from still frames...quite effective in 1993, but laughable by today's standards." The morph effects were completely recreated from moving video by David Lange, including major enhancements to the film's miniatures and explosions. "I've spent far more money to remaster this movie than we made it for in the first place," Bookwalter laughs.

One thing the filmmaker was careful not to tamper with was the overall pace and mood of the movie. "It's the exact same length as it was in 1994," Bookwalter says. "I did tighten up some edits and drop in a few new insert shots here and there, but we didn't change the timeline." Bookwalter also digitally restored and reassembled the picture from scratch with all-new color timing, titles and filmlook. (Anyone who has seen the 1992 sci-fi/comedy GALAXY OF THE DINOSAURS on the Lunar Edition DVD for THE VAULT will see the potential of what OZONE now looks like.) "It's pristine, and we also painted out hundreds of shots that had analog tape dropout and damage to further clean up the image. It's like night and day from the original version, even more impressive than the new transfer of SKINNED ALIVE we released in May."

So when can fans expect to see the remastered OZONE? Wizard Video will be bringing it to VHS and DVD in January at video stores nationwide, and a Tempe Special Edition DVD will follow later in the year with an all-new making-of segment, a look at the restoration process, isolated music score and much more. The Wizard version will feature a commentary by Bookwalter, while the Tempe DVD will feature a different version with Bookwalter and star James Black. Stay tuned to the website for more details!

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WIZARD VIDEO RESURRECTED, TEMPE-STYLE! (8/16/2002): Fans who were VCR-equipped in the early '80s will no doubt remember the late, great Wizard Video label which first brought classics like I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE, ZOMBIE, BLOOD FEAST and SNUFF to home video along with compilations such as THE BEST OF SEX & VIOLENCE (whose cover sported a young Brinke Stevens!).

What many fans may not know is that Wizard was the brainchild of Charles Band who would later found Full Moon Pictures! When J.R. Bookwalter began working with Full Moon in late 1997, he kept pushing for Band to revive the Wizard line and get back to his underground roots.

Well get ready, because Wizard is back! And Tempe is there.

This November, the new Wizard Video will be launched with a re-release of our 1989 film SKINNED ALIVE. While the packaging may be similar (at right), the VHS & DVD versions from Wizard will only include the "Cut to the Bone" making-of featurette — we will continue to offer the Special Edition DVD (and also our VHS, until that format is sold out). Wizard's release will also feature the same remastered print and 5.1 remix. Expect the title to finally hit retail video store shelves in large quantities!

Bookwalter has also licensed three other Tempe films to Wizard: OZONE, BLOODLETTING and GHOUL SCHOOL. Now this is where things get fuzzy, because the Wizard releases of these titles will come with new titles and new cover art. "I'm not particularly fond of the idea," admits Bookwalter, "but the end result is that a lot more people will find these movies. I'm also told to expect some of these to air on pay-per-view which will be a trip!"

The Tempe features are expected to roll out from Wizard Video every two months and if the first four are successful, expect the rest of the Tempe library to follow. Tempe continues to retain all Special Edition DVD rights to the titles (see below), but will also offer limited quantities of the Wizard versions for sale online when they are available.

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...BUT WHAT ABOUT TEMPE DVD? (8/16/2002): On July 6, 2002 we announced the BLOODLETTING Remastered Special Edition DVD and VHS with a September 24 street date (see below). In the interim, the aforementioned Wizard deal was inked which changed our plans a bit. Tempe will no longer offer VHS versions of our new releases, concentrating strictly on Special Edition DVDs. The fans have spoken and the message is clear: VHS is dead!

The BLOODLETTING DVD was postponed shortly after the announcement — when the release schedule for Wizard Video is worked out, we'll have a firmer date. But for now, expect that our long-awaited OZONE Remastered Special Edition DVD will jump ahead in January, 2003. J.R. Bookwalter is diving into the 5.1 remix next week and advance word on both remastered films is the fans will be pleasantly surprised with the results!

Please note that all Tempe DVDs will be released under the films' original title and we are still committed to bringing you the biggest and best special edition DVDs possible! Look for details on the OZONE and BLOODLETTING releases soon...and meanwhile stay tuned to the Tempe DVD section of our website for more news as it breaks!

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"BLOODLETTING" REMASTERED SPECIAL EDITION ARRIVES SEPT. 24! (7/6/2002): BLOODLETTING is the tale of two serial killers in love which one critic called "NATURAL BORN KILLERS done right!" Starring Tempe faves Ariauna Albright (WITCHOUSE 2: BLOOD COVEN) and James L. Edwards (POLYMORPH) with a host of genre cameos such as Sasha Graham (ADDICTED TO MURDER), Tina Krause (WITCHOUSE 3: DEMON FIRE), Scooter McCrae (SHATTER DEAD), FANGORIA magazine's Michael Gingold and many others!

We're happy to announce that this newly-restored film will include a 5.1 remix, cast & crew commentary, extensive making-of featurette, still gallery and the original short film from which BLOODLETTING was based, I'VE KILLED BEFORE, as well as an insert with introduction by executive producer/editor J.R. Bookwalter.

This Region 1 NTSC DVD and NTSC VHS has a pre-order date of September 3rd and a street date of September 24th, and will be available for purchase from our online store and fine online retailers.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Digitally restored picture from original elements (1.33:1 aspect ratio)
• Dolby Digital 5.1 surround remix
• Commentary with writer/producer/director Matthew Jason Walsh and stars Ariauna Albright and James L. Edwards
• “Building a Better BLOODLETTING” featurette (35 mins.)
• Deleted scenes & outtakes (10 mins.)
• Optional stereo mix with original music score
• “I’ve Killed Before” – Rare original short version of the feature with optional commentary track by producer/cinematographer Ron Bonk (30 mins.)
• Production still gallery
• Tempe DVD trailers and coming attractions
• Insert with introduction by executive producer/editor J.R. Bookwalter

VHS SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Digitally restored picture from original elements (1.33:1 aspect ratio)
• Stereo surround remix
• “Building a Better BLOODLETTING” featurette (35 mins.)

BLOODLETTING pre-orders will begin in late August, stay tuned for more information!

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SUMMER SAVINGS UNTIL JULY 23, 2002! (5/26/2002): We've got a small wave of new titles available in our online store and now there's no reason to wait on buying that title you've had your eye on thanks to our Summer Savings special! No Tempe DVD over $14.99, double-feature DVDs just $9.99 and most VHS and budget DVDs are as low as $4.99!

First up is a series of 10 Full Moon Limited Edition DVDs including TALISMAN and THE SHRUNKEN CITY, available for the first time on DVD. All discs include a trailer and many include extras like making-of featurettes and more (check the store for full descriptions). Buy the whole set of 10 for just $49.99 and save $15 or choose from your favorites:

TALISMAN - $9.99, THE SHRUNKEN CITY - $9.99, KILLJOY - $4.99, THE DEAD HATE THE LIVING - $9.99, RETRO PUPPET MASTER - $4.99, BLOOD DOLLS - $9.99, HIDDEN BEAUTIES - $4.99, SUBSPECIES 4: BLOODSTORM - $9.99, WITCHOUSE - $4.99, WITCHOUSE 2: BLOOD COVEN - $4.99, FULL MOON BUDGET DVD 10-PACK - $49.99 (save $15 over individual prices!)

That's just for starters! All of the Tempe Special Edition DVDs are just $14.99...VENGEANCE OF THE DEAD Lunar Edition DVD for the blowout price of $4.99...WITCHOUSE: BLOOD COVEN Lunar Edition DVD available again in the original "symbol" cover autographed by director J.R. Bookwalter for $14.99...most of our VHS titles are just $4.99...and much more!

But these Summer Savings won't last...prices go back up on July 23, 2002!

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"TOWNIES" SPECIAL EDITION ARRIVES JULY 23! (5/19/2002): Welcome to Schlarb, Ohio...a small town overrun by misfits, freaks and weirdos! Our next Special Edition DVD & VHS release is a bit of a departure for us...it's not strictly horror and in fact it's more of a dark comedy shot entirely on location in Ravenna, Ohio called TOWNIES, based on the bizarre antics of real-life folks who inhabit this sleepy hamlet.

Dickie (Toby Radloff, KILLER NERD) is a lonely dumpster-diver who finds companionship in his latest discovery…a young woman's corpse! Pricey (Lori Scarlett, OZONE) is a mute girl with a lookalike baby-doll. When she loses her doll after an unsavory encounter, she replaces it with the next best thing — her neighbor's young son! Meanwhile, the enigmatic Caduceus sets out to cleanse a nasty high school girl of her wicked ways. Scenes to follow include necrophilia, marijuana-smoking lesbians, the sexual assault of a mentally-challenged girl and a dinner plate of skinned and cooked squirrels...not for the weak!

This "magnum opus of CineTrash" comes courtesy of Wayne Alan Harold, the creator of the KILLER NERD films and the lesbian serial killer opus GIRLFRIENDS. The cast includes KILLER NERD and MTV News star Toby Radloff (the "Genuine Nerd"), who will be featured in the HBO film AMERICAN SPLENDOR this fall.

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Digitally remastered from the original elements (1.33:1 aspect ratio)
• Dolby Digital mono mix
• Commentary with filmmaker Wayne A. Harold and stars Toby Radloff, Jay Geldhof and P. Craig Russell
• Outtakes & behind-the-scenes (20 mins.)
• “Toby Radloff, Genuine Nerd” bonus interview (10 mins.)
• Toby Radloff web segments (12 mins.)
• Original trailer (3 mins.)
• “Payback is a Bitch” short film written & co-directed by Wayne A. Harold (20 mins.)
• “Aberration Boulevard” preview scene (3 mins.)
• Production still gallery
• Tempe DVD trailers & coming attractions
• Insert with introduction by Tempe chief J.R. Bookwalter

VHS SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Digitally remastered from the original elements (1.33:1 aspect ratio)
• Outtakes & behind-the-scenes (20 mins.)
• “Toby Radloff, Genuine Nerd” bonus interview (10 mins.)
• Original trailer (3 mins.)

TOWNIES pre-orders in our online store will begin Monday, June 3rd and will ship the week of July 1st...be the first kid on your block to own one! And look for our exclusive TOWNIES release party chat coming in early July... (Click the artwork above to see the DVD sleeve enlarged!)

HORROR-DOMAIN.COM HOSTS J.R. BOOKWALTER CHAT THIS SUNDAY! (5/8/2002): If our release party chats aren't enough for you, you'll be happy to hear that our friends at Horror-domain.com are hosting a special guest chat with Tempe founder and producer/director J.R. Bookwalter this Sunday, May 12th at 7 p.m. Central Time.

To join in the fun, point your browsers to http://www.horror-domain.com/ and click on the "Horror Chat" button to the left!