My Top Five Blu-rays Of 2024

 

Another year, and another huge chunk of money that I spent on movies most people have never seen or ever heard of. The main theme for 2024 appears to be "Italian Gothic". Three out of my top five releases of the year fit that category....and it might have been nearly a clean sweep if I had included Radiance's special edition of Mario Bava's PLANET OF THE VAMPIRES. 

Once again I must remind everyone that I'm only picking from discs I myself purchased in the last 12 months. 

1. THE HORRIBLE DR. HICHCOCK from Vinegar Syndrome

One of the most bizarre and disturbing of the Italian Gothics finally gets the special Region A release it deserves, with two excellent-looking versions of the film and all sorts of extras. I wrote a full post on this in February. 

2. LAUREL & HARDY: YEAR TWO from Flicker Alley

Flicker Alley's L & H YEAR ONE made my top five list last year, and this set might be even better--it's chock full of goodies. I wrote a post on it a couple of weeks ago. 

3. I VAMPIRI from Radiance

This is another Italian horror classic that has long needed a special release for English-speaking viewers, and this one more than fills the bill, with three versions of the film and plenty of extra material. My post on this was written in November. 

4. CASTLE OF BLOOD from Severin

Another Italian horror classic, and another magnificent Severin release that provides more evidence that the company is hard to beat when it comes to presenting European cult cinema on home video. My complete review of it was posted in November. 

5. EL VAMPIRO from Indicator

The legendary Mexican horror classic EL VAMPIRO and its fine sequel THE VAMPIRE'S COFFIN get deluxe treatment from Indicator, a company that has wound up contributing to my annual top five lists the last few years. My post on it was also in November.