Arrow Films, out now

Blu-ray releases of five of the movies that originated from Charles Band’s Empire International Pictures’ studio.

Empire’s output of low budge genre films in the 1980s was prolific. Arrow releases a handful of them in high definition Blu-ray in limited edition packaging, with reversible sleeves, double-sided art cards, an Arrow Video store “membership card” and an 80-page book of new writing. But beware that most of the movies are not in the same league as their big hits Ghoulies, Re-Animator, From Beyond and Trancers

The Dungeonmaster (aka Ragewar) (1984) is an anthology film about a demonic wizard challenging a modern-day computer programmer to a battle of technology vs. sorcery. There’s seven segments over 73 minutes, each from a different director – the Labours of Hercules this isn’t! It’s a new 2K restoration from the original negative, with three different versions of the film (US theatrical, pre-release and international) and a new audio commentary and interview with star Jeffrey Byron.

Dolls (1986) follows a dysfunctional family that discovers that the elderly owners of an old mansion are magical toy makers. Directed by Re-Animator’s Stuart Gordon, it’s the best movie in this set, featuring some impressive stop-animation dolls and creepy atmosphere. It’s a new 2K restoration from the original interpositive, new audio commentary by David Decoteau and archive commentaries with director Stuart Gordon and writer Ed Naha, and one with cast members. There’s also a new interview with editor Lee Percy, archive featurette with production team and a film-to-storyboard comparison.

Cellar Dweller (1987) follows comic book artist Whitney Taylor repeating history when unleashing a demon after drawing it. Directed by John Carl Buechler, it’s a fun and gory creature feature with an impressive titular beast. There’s a new audio commentary by and interview with special make-up effects artist Michael Deak and a new appreciation of director Buechler by film critics Matty Budrewicz and Dave Wain.

In Arena (1989), a human becomes an unlikely rising star in the biggest fighting tournament in the galaxy that’s dominated by alien species, and it looks the cheapest. Highly derivative and clunky, the most fun is derived from spotting the likes of Marc Alaimo, Armin Shimerman  and Claudia Christian in early roles. It’s a new 2K restoration by Arrow Films from the last known surviving 35mm print, with a new audio commentary with director Peter Manoogian. There’s also an alternative full-frame presentation, new interviews with co-screenwriter Danny Bilson and special make-up effects artist Michael Deak.

Robot Jox(1989) is set in the distant future, where the two remaining superpowers battle it out in giant robot suits. Also directed by Stuart Gordon, with a screenplay by Joe Haldeman, it’s a solid enough hour-and-a-half of robot mayhem in a Power Rangers / Pacific Rim way. There’s a new 2K restoration from the original negative, as well as archive audio commentaries with Gordon, associate effects director Paul Gentry, mechanical effects artist Mark Rappaport, and stop-motion animator Paul Jessell. There’s also a new interview with actors Gary Graham and Anne-Marie Johnson, and a new appreciation of stop motion animator David Allen.

Verdict: A mixed bag of mid-range Empire fare. It’ll help if you bring along a nostalgic flame for some of these cheapies, but you can’t dispute their entertainment value. 7/10

Nick Joy