The Mummy (2017)
Director: Alex Kurtzman
Writers: David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie, Dylan Kussman
Cast: Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, Jake Johnson, Courtney B. Vance, Russell Crowe
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Rated PG-13 | 107 Minutes
Release Date: June 9, 2017

“Welcome to a new world of gods and monsters.”

If you’re a moviegoer in the year 2017, odds are you’re familiar with the concept of a “shared cinematic universe.” Whether it’s the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s The Avengers or the DC Extended Universe’s upcoming Justice League, we understand that these franchises are built on standalone stories set within the same continuity, leading to crossover events and team-up films.

The idea of a shared cinematic universe came into being over 70 years ago with the emergence of Universal Monsters. Following their popular silent films, 1923’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame and 1925’s The Phantom of the Opera, Universal Studios began developing talkies based on other classic horror characters. 1931’s Dracula and Frankenstein got things started, followed by The Mummy (1932), The Invisible Man (1933), 1935’s Bride of Frankenstein, and The Wolf Man (1941).

Tales from the Hood
Blu-ray
Director: Rusty Cundieff
Screenwriter: Rusty Cundieff, Darin Scott
Cast: Corbin Bernsen, Rosalind Cash, David Alan Grier, Anthony Griffith, Paula Jai Parker, Joe Torry, Clarence Williams III
Distributor: Scream Factory
Rated R | 98 Minutes
Release Date: April 18, 2017

“Don’t worry. You’ll get the shit. You’ll be knee-deep in the shit.”

Co-written and directed by Rusty Cundieff (Chappelle’s Show) and executive-produced by Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing), 1995’s Tales from the Hood is a horror anthology that presents four black-centric horror stories centered on police brutality, domestic abuse, racism, and gang violence.

Firestarter
Blu-ray (Collector’s Edition)
Director: Mark L. Lester
Screenwriter: Stanley Mann
Cast: David Keith, Drew Barrymore, Freddie Jones, Heather Locklear, Martin Sheen, George C. Scott, Art Carney, Louise Fletcher
Distributor: Scream Factory
Rated R | 114 Minutes
Release Date: March 14, 2017

Based on the 1980 best-seller by Stephen King, Firestarter tells the story of Charlene “Charlie” McGee (Drew Barrymore), a pyrokinetic nine-year-old child who can start fires with her mind.

Written by Stanley Mann (Conan the Destroyer) and directed by Mark L. Lester (Commando), Firestarter is the latest forgotten genre film to receive the Scream Factory treatment.

MST3K: Volume XXXVIII
DVD
Cast: Joel Hodgson, Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, Trace Beaulieu
Distributor: Shout! Factory
Not Rated | 480 Minutes
Release Date: March 28, 2016

“They’ve imprisoned Michael McDonald!”

In the 38th collection of episodes from the cult comedy series Mystery Science Theater 3000, Michael J. Nelson, Tom Servo, and Crow T. Robot endure unspeakable cinematic horrors. This endlessly entertaining volume includes lizard-human hybrids, communists, juvenile delinquents, and Italian headhunters.

Just in time for the new MST3K series, which premieres on Netflix in the not-too distant future (April 14th, 2017 AD), Shout! Factory presents four cinematic catastrophes with Invasion U.S.A, Colossus and the Headhunters, High School Big Shot, and Track of the Moon Beast. MST3K: Volume XXXVIII features three episodes from the Comedy Central era and one from the SciFi Channel run, with Mike Nelson serving as host on all four episodes. Continue reading for detailed synopses for each episode in this eclectic collection!

The Wishmaster Collection
Blu-ray (Vestron Video Collector’s Series)
Directors: Robert Kurtzman, Jack Sholder, Chris Angel
Writers: Peter Atkins, Jack Sholder, Alex Wright, John Martin
Cast: Tammy Lauren, Andrew Divoff, Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, Robert Englund, Reggie Bannister, Ted Raimi, Holly Fields, Paul Johannson, Jason Connery, A.J. Cook, Jason Thompson, Tara Spencer-Nairn, Michael Trucco, Kimberly Huie, John Novak
Distributor: Lionsgate
Rated R | 370 minutes
Release Date: March 2018, 2017

“Once, in a time before time, God breathed life into the universe. And the light gave birth to Angels. And the earth gave birth to Man. And the fire gave birth to the Djinn, creatures condemned to dwell in the void between the worlds. One who wakes a Djinn will be given three wishes. Upon the granting of the third, the unholy legions of the Djinn will be freed to rule the earth. Fear one thing in all there is… fear the Djinn.”

In the Wishmaster series, an evil djinn grants three wishes to the person who releases him, fulfilling a prophecy that will unleash his fellow djinn upon the earth and plunge the world into eternal damnation. For the first time, the horror-fantasy series will be available on Blu-ray on March 28, 2017, from Lionsgate’s Vestron Video Collector’s Series label. The three-disc set includes all four films, restored and remastered, plus never-before-seen special features.