SCREAM 7 (4K): Sydney's Back for More

SCREAM 7 (Blu-ray)

2026 / 114 min

Paramount

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

I actually stopped paying attention to the Scream franchise a long time ago, more or less checking out after the third film. In the interim, a lot has changed. Director Wes Craven has since passed on, while original screenwriter Kevin Williamson became far less involved. And of course, lots of different actors & characters have donned the Ghostface mask to assume the slashing duties.

But the biggest change? After checking out Scream 7, it’s painfully clear that it has become the very type of franchise those first few films cleverly poked fun at. Gone is the self-awareness, sly satire and much of the humor. A few allusions to past classics pop up here and there, but they feel shoehorned into the script, and aside from some of its characters and a truckload of Ghostfaces, this plays like just another slasher film…

…or maybe a greatest hits album. Williamson is back to write and direct, while Sydney (Neve Campbell) returns after sitting out of Scream VI, this time with a snarky teenage daughter to be put in peril. Then there’s Courtney Cox as Gale Weathers, who doesn’t serve much of a purpose other than continuity. Additionally, plenty of familiar faces we thought were dead are squeezed into the plot, mostly in glorified cameos (so don’t get too excited over Matthew Lillard’s return). Most of the younger new characters seem calculated to appeal to a new generation of Scream fans, while Joel McHale is wasted as a police chief and Sydney’s husband.

Sydney shares her cat pix.

Then it’s business as usual…Ghostface’s creepy phone calls, lengthy stalking sequences and lots of gory violence. It’s all competently executed, but aside from an amusing death-by-beertap scene, never particularly memorable because we’ve seen it all before. Even the prerequisite twist revealing Ghostface’s identity is underwhelming, partially because we know a twist is coming, but also because there’s no trope more boring than yet-another slasher who feels compelling to explain while they’re slashing.

On the plus side, Scream 7 doesn’t really require the viewer to be familiar with previous installments (except maybe the first one). The film may have forgotten most of what initially made Scream unique among slasher franchises, but at least the story won’t be lost on newcomers (who might actually appreciate this one more than longtime fans). Additionally, it’s been given a pretty solid 4K transfer, with excellent picture and sound.

EXTRA KIBBLES

4K, BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES

FEATURETTES - Scar Tissue: The Making of Scream 7 features interviews and clips; Building Tension is about the film’s production design; Dance of Death covers the film’s stuntwork.

MUSIC VIDEO - “Twisting the Knife,” by Ice Nine Kills.

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THE POOP SCOOP: Lionsgate Father's Day Sale

Celebrate Dad with an epic lineup of landmark LIONSGATE films during our Father’s Day Sale, June 9-23, with 40% off retail prices on all eligible titles. Whether they’re a fan of edge-of-your-seat thrillers, cult classics, action-packed favorites, or award-winning cinema, there’s something for every movie-loving dad.

Available only at LionsgateLimited.com

Just in time for Father’s Day comes a sale from Lionsgate Limited to help stock Dad’s library. This year’s featured titles include the fan-favorite Dogma, the stylish crime classic Knives Out, the adrenaline-fueled The Home, the action-packed Den of Thieves Collection, the cult sensation Battle Royale, the acclaimed horror hit The Descent, the gripping vampire thriller Daybreakers, and the suspenseful psychological thriller The Surfer. These standout releases offer the perfect excuse to expand Dad’s collection while taking advantage of significant savings. Additional sale titles include: The Conversation, Freaky Tales, Ghoulies Go to College, Hider in the House, High Tension, King of New York, Knock Knock, May, Meatballs, The Way of the Gun, and You’re Next.

DESTINATION INNER SPACE: Everybody Hates Wayne

DESTINATION INNER SPACE (Blu-ray)

1966 / 82 min

Leomark Studios

Available at MovieZyng.com

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😼

Poor Commander Wayne (Scott Brady). Sent to investigate a mysterious object buzzing around an underwater laboratory, he dutifully goes down there in a diving bell, only to get nothing but flak from the staff. 

Former Navy man Hugh Maddox (Mike Road) absolutely hates him. Photographer Sandra Welles (Wende Wagner) hates him mostly because Maddox does. And both of them like to mind Wayne they don’t take orders from him. The object turns out to be a ship that touches down and unleashes an amphibious monster, which wreaks havoc on the station. Wayne wants to kill it, but Dr. LaSatier (Gary Merrill) poos-poos his decision, preferring to study it (even after the beast has killed a few people). 

The guy can’t get a break. Even the diving suit they provide for him is obviously two or three sizes too small. In fact, there’s a hilarious scene where he’s arguing with everyone while spending at least a couple of minutes trying to squeeze into the thing (with Brady himself looking exasperated). Still, he leads the charge to defeat the creature and blow up its ship before the station runs out of air. 

Directed by James Cameron

Destination Inner Space is a daffy, ultra-cheap underwater thriller that still manages to be entertaining, largely at its own expense. The basic concept of being trapped underwater with a monster is actually pretty solid, and has been used in such later (bigger) movies as Leviathan and Deep Blue Sea. But here, the special effects are gloriously bad, especially the shots of this ‘50 foot wide’ ship hovering over the ocean floor (which would make the clearly visible tiny fish swimming around it the size of Great Whites). Elsewhere, the creature is certainly colorful, but obviously a guy in an ill-fitting rubber suit.

The dialogue is often chuckleworthy, too, such as an early scene where Wayne flirts with Dr. Peron (Sheree North), as well as the priceless moment where Maddox’s confession of being a coward makes Sandra love him even more. In fact, all of the manufactured romance here is pretty damn funny. Ultimately, this makes Destination Inner Space an endearingly tacky must-see for bad movie lovers. Be advised, however, that this Blu-ray release sports a picture loaded with film damage and artifacts (unlike a restored version served up by Kino Lorber a few years ago). Additionally, there are no bonus features, chapters, language options or even a main menu. Great cover, though.

Revisiting AUDITION in 4K

AUDITION Limited Edition (4K UHD)

1999 / 115 min

Arrow Video

Review by Josey, the Sudden Cat🙀

I first saw Takashi Miike’s Audition a few years ago when I reviewed Arrow Video’s Blu-ray edition. My main takeaway was that it was very good, though not a film I’d want to experience again. For me, it wasn’t the film’s notorious violence and repellent imagery I found tough to take (those scenes are actually few and far between). However, an overall air of sorrow hangs over the entire film, with stretches of sadness that are downright claustrophobic, though beautifully rendered. 

But with this new 4K Limited Edition, it looks like I’ll have to dive into despair one more time.

Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) is a widower whose loneliness is overwhelming. When he decides he'd like to start dating again, producer-friend Yasuhisa suggests setting up fake auditions for a non-existent film. Though he has ethical misgivings, Shigeharu goes along with it and becomes fixated with Asami (Eihi Shiina), a young ex-dancer whose resume reflects a kindred spirit. The two begin seeing each other, Asami's affection for him growing with each encounter. But after Shigeharu promises to love nobody else during a weekend getaway, Asami disappears. 

Unfortunately, this friendship comes with strings attached.

Asami turns out to be batshit crazy and her eventually retribution on Shigeharu is twisted, vicious and graphic. But I stand by my original assessment that what renders the entire sequence truly harrowing is the first half of the film. Miike takes great care in establishing Shigeharu as a supremely sympathetic family man we care deeply about. Similarly, Asami is a victim herself, a product of an abusive upbringing. This renders the climax more mournful than terrifying, its violence merely amplifying the overall tone of despair.

Arrow’s 2019 Blu-ray was an impressive release with good picture and sound, along with a load of bonus features. Those features are ported over for his limited edition version, with some good new ones added (see below). The film itself has been given an impressive 4K restoration for an improved overall image, especially regarding the color. There are also three audio options, lossless stereo, 4.0 audio and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround. All three are solid, though the latter is arguably the most immersive. 

But that’s enough for this guy. Enduring Audition twice is plenty, so please Arrow…no 8K version. However, fans of the film should certainly consider upgrading.

EXTRA KIBBLES

NOTE: Free Kittens Movie Guide was provided with a promo disc for review purposes. Physical supplemental material included with the final product (booklets, artwork, inserts, etc) were not available for review.  

INTERVIEWS - Individual interviews with director Takashi Miike, actor Ryo Ishibashi.

2 AUDIO COMMENTARIES - 1) By biographer Tom Mes; 2) by director Takashi Miike.

INTRODUCTION BY TAKASHI MIIKE

DAMAGED ROMANCE - An appreciation by film historian Tony Rayns (the guy's quite knowledgeable and interesting to listen to). 

DEEPER DEEPER INTO AUDITION - Audio essay by author/critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

ARCHIVAL INTERVIEWS - With actors Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Renji Ishibashi, Ren Osugi.

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IMAGE GALLERY

DI’ANNO: A Harrowing Journey

DI’ANNO: IRON MAIDEN’S LOST SINGER (Blu-ray)

2026 / 96 min

Cleopatra Entertainment

Review by Mr. Bonnie, the ‘banger😺

In this case, the ‘lost’ of the title does not mean forgotten…at least among die hard Maidenheads. Not to date myself, but yours truly has been one since high school, when I spotted Iron Maiden’s second album, Killers, at a local record store, its gloriously hideous cover practically daring me to listen to it. Which I did, and…mind officially blown. 

These were the days before Bruce Dickinson (if that name doesn’t ring a bell, why the hell are you reading this?). Until then, it was a lean & mean Paul Di’Anno belting out the songs. And he was good, too.

Then he was gone, just as Maiden was about to break big. Di’Anno didn’t just lose-hold of the brass ring. Mostly by his own hand, he chucked that ring so far he’d never find it again. Following his firing, he spent the rest of his life shitting in his own nest with one lousy decision after another, both musically and personally. Unrecognizable from his glory period, Di’Anno spent his final years in a wheelchair before dying in 2024. But God bless him, he never stopped trying to make music, even if few were actually listening anymore.

Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer is an unflinching documentary that’s sometimes difficult to watch, yet undeniably fascinating. The film largely focuses on his final years and the severe health problems he was dealing with. By this time, he’s financially strapped, grotesquely overweight and, most significantly, in dire need of a knee surgery he can’t afford on his own. Di’Anno candidly talks about his situation, while holding out hope that he’ll someday be able to walk again. He doesn’t come across as particularly sympathetic, nor does he try. He’s well aware of his personal shortcomings and makes no apologies for them.

Di’Anno’s past is summarized throughout the narrative, from his brief time in Maiden through numerous other failed musical projects and personal problems, which mostly serve to confirm that he’s always been his own worst enemy. Friends, ex-bandmates and relatives are interviewed as well, offering their own insights and experiences with the singer’s volatile personality (which, of course, was often fueled by drugs). All he’s lost over the years makes his present predicament all the more tragic. Concert footage of Di’Anno in his wheelchair, croaking out Maiden classics in small clubs with a band of hired hands speaks volumes about his determination, but it’s also kind of depressing.

However, the most shocking parts of the film are those focusing on his health, which are really tough to watch. With financial help from a dedicated fan and Iron Maiden themselves, Di’Anno finally gets the surgery he needs, which is shown in gruesome, graphic detail. My stomach even did a couple of flip-flops during those scenes. I’ll say one thing…it was certainly brave of him to allow filmmakers to document what a trainwreck he’d become.

For Maiden fans such as myself, seeing his final years documented in such grim detail is a harrowing experience. Di’Anno: Iron Maiden’s Lost Singer is easily the most disturbing music doc I've ever seen, but compulsively watchable for the same reason.

EXTRA KIBBLES

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FOLLOW ME QUIETLY and an Hour to Kill

FOLLOW ME QUIETLY (Blu-ray)

1949 / 59 min

Warner Archive Collection

Available at MovieZyng.com

Review by Mr. Paws😼

There once was a time when a movie could run an hour and still be considered a feature film. Imagine going to a theater today and paying for something slightly longer than a television episode. But back when moviegoers weren’t charged an arm, a leg and their firstborn to enjoy a show, an hour was perfectly fine, especially since they often got cartoons, newsreels and a co-feature for their hard-earned change.

Besides, some movies obviously don’t need to be any longer than an hour. Case-in-point, 1949’s Follow Me Quietly runs a scant 59 minutes, and even then, it occasionally struggles to maintain interest. The basic story is pretty good, that of Detective Harry Grant (William Lundigan) on the trail of a zealous serial killer simply known as “The Judge.” Grant also frequently clashes with ambitious reporter Ann Gorman (Dorothy Patrick).

As usual, Harry is left with the check.

Contrary to Leonard Maltin’s assessment (quoted on the back cover of this disc), I don’t think Follow Me Quietly really qualifies as film noir. It’s mostly a police procedural, and when focused on the investigation, the story isn’t all that remarkable, but fairly engaging in the moment. Less effective is the quasi-antagonistic relationship between Grant and Gorman, which seems manufactured to pave the way for the film’s sappy ending. Conversely, renowned character actor Jeff Corey has his share of amusing moments as Grant’s partner.

From a historical perspective, Follow Me Gently is noteworthy for being an early effort by Richard Fleischer, with a story co-conceived by Anthony Mann, two legends who’d obviously go on to much bigger things. The film itself is little more than a Hollywood footnote, but an agreeable way to kill an hour.

EXTRA KIBBLES

DARK SHADOWS - Another short in the “Crime Does Not Pay” series, and a bit better than most.

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THE POOP SCOOP: Bring On The Action

UPCOMING KIBBLES THAT MAKE US PURR!

KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR 4K/Blu-ray Combo Pack Coming July 28 from Lionsgate. Quentin Tarantino's KILL BILL: THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR unites Volume 1 and Volume 2 into a single, unrated epic—presented exactly as he intended, complete with a new anime sequence. Uma Thurman stars as The Bride, left for dead after her former boss and lover Bill ambushes her wedding rehearsal, shooting her in the head and stealing her unborn child. To exact her vengeance, she must first hunt down the four remaining members of the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad before confronting Bill himself. With its operatic scope, relentless action, and iconic style, THE WHOLE BLOODY AFFAIR stands as one of cinema's definitive revenge sagas—rarely shown in its complete form, and now presented with a classic intermission. This release also comes with an assortment of physical extras, including posters, collectors cards and a 40 page booklet.

MORTAL COMBAT II on Digital June 9 and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 28 from Warner Bros. From New Line Cinema, the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, debuts digitally at home on June 9. This time, the fan favorite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, alongside Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, with Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion. Director Simon McQuoid returns to helm the follow up to his explosive 2021 cinematic adventure, from a screenplay by Jeremy Slater, based on the videogame created by Ed Boon and John Tobias. 

MICHAEL on digital June 9 and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 17 from Lionsgate. MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of The Jackson 5, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins. Blu-ray and 4K versions include a selection of bonus features.  

An Underseen Gem from the 70s, THE OUTFIT, on Blu-ray July 28 from Arrow Video. Earl Macklin (Robert Duvall, The Godfather) is a professional thief. Once upon a time, he and his brother Eddie robbed a bank together. Unfortunately, that bank was owned by a criminal syndicate, "The Outfit". Now Eddie is dead, and it looks like Earl is next. But "The Outfit" hasn't counted on Earl's iron will. Released from a 27-month stretch in prison, Earl wants to get even and, with girlfriend Bett (Karen Black, Five Easy Pieces) and best friend Cody (Joe Don Baker, Walking Tall), he begins a private war to avenge the death of his brother. The entire criminal underworld is about to learn an unforgettable lesson: never mess with Earl Macklin. With a score by Peckinpah regular Jerry Fielding, gritty cinematography by Bruce Surtees (The Shootist), and a veritable rogues gallery of classic character actors including Robert Ryan (The Wild Bunch), Timothy Carey (The Killing), Richard Jaeckel (The Dirty Dozen), and Bill McKinney (Deliverance), The Outfit is as tough, taut, and relentless as its protagonist. This release includes numerous new bonus features.

Lee Cronin’s THE MUMMY on Digital May 19 and Blu-ray, 4K and DVD July 4 from Warner Bros. The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace—eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare.

THE LAST SHOWGIRL on Bluray + Digital June 23 from Lionsgate. Pamela Anderson shines as a glamorous Vegas showgirl whose 30-year career at Le Razzle Dazzle, the last remaining revue, is coming to an abrupt end.  

READY OR NOT 2: HERE I COME on Digital Now and Blu-ray & DVD June 16 from Searchlight Pictures. This action‑packed, darkly comedic horror sequel expands the Ready or Not mythology with another lethal game of hide‑and‑seek. 

THE 7TH VOYAGE OF SINBAD on 4K + Blu-ray July 7 from Sony. This release also includes a large selection of bonus material.

A MAN CALLED ROCCA on Blu-ray July 14 from Kino Lorber. We here at Free Kittens have just recently discovered the wonderful world of French thrillers, so when another great comes along on Blu-ray, we gotta meow it out loud! This is a noir gem riding the crest of the radical French New Wave.

DEEP WATER Coming to Blu-ray July 14 from Magenta Light Studios. Of course you’re ready for another shark movie directed by Renny Harlin (Deep Blue Sea). Well, so are we.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ERASER Coming to 4K & Digital June 16 from Warner Bros. As exciting as it is entertaining, Eraser is unstoppable. This release also includes a selection of all new bonus features.

CRIME 101 on Blu-ray, 4K and DVD June 30 from Alliance Entertainment. Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, Crime 101 weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose heists have mystified police.

THEY WILL KILL YOU on Blu-ray, 4K & DVD June 30 from Warner Bros. Director Kirill Sokolov unleashes a blood-soaked, high-octane horror-action-comedy in which a young woman must survive the night at the Virgil, a demonic cult’s mysterious and twisted death-trap of a lair.

George A. Romero’s DAY OF THE DEAD on 4K + Blu-ray June 16 from Shout Factory. In This highly anticipated four-disc release features new 4K restoration, as well as hours of new and vintage bonus material.

The Original 28 DAYS LATER Coming to 4K UHD September 1 from Sony. Is there still a glimmer of hope for humanity — or has the deadly "rage" virus found its way to foreign shores and infected the entire planet?

STRANGER THINGS: THE COMPLETE SERIES Coming to 4K and Blu-ray July 26 from Arrow Video. PRE-ORDER HERE!

You've Already Seen PROTECTOR

PROTECTOR (Blu-ray)

2025 / 92 min

Magenta Light

Review by Stinky the Destroyer😾

This is one of those cookie cutter action films where the cover and tagline tell you almost everything you need to know…another female variation of Taken, this time with Milla Jovovich assuming the ass-kicking duties. Not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with that. In the right hands, rip-offs can be fun if you keep your expectations in-check.

But Protector isn’t content to simply rip-off Taken. At one point, it also decides to become another Rambo movie (more specifically, First Blood). Jovovich plays Nikki Halstead, an ex-super soldier whose daughter is kidnapped by human traffickers known as The Syndicate (of course they are). Using her own special set of skills, Nikki becomes a one-woman wrecking crew as she hunts down and slaughters her way up the food chain, while her former CO, Colonel Lavelle (Matthew Modine), is on-hand to continuously remind befuddled cops how lethal she is. 

"Hi, Milla."

There isn’t anything wrong with that either. Nobody watches this stuff expecting enlightenment. But what sinks Protector is the execution. It is atrociously written, starting with Jovovich’s needless voice-over narration, where she pontificates life, death and the particulars of being trained killer with such solemnity that it becomes unintentionally humorous. All the characters are composites of those you’ve undoubtedly seen in better movies, the worst example being a police captain played by D.B. Sweeney, who’s so stupidly belligerent that he makes Brian Dennehy’s similar character in First Blood look like Frank Serpico.

As for Nikki’s rampage, some of it is enjoyable and Jovovich has always been a solid physical performer. That being said, I’m at a total loss why the film totally skips over her killing spree which kicks things off. Instead, one bad guy simply tells his boss that she blew up a whorehouse and killed five people before the narrative charges forward. Then there’s that plot twist at the end, clumsily tacked-on without any foreshadowing. Is it intended to shock the audience or leave the door open for a sequel? Either way, it’s a narratively pointless suckerpunch.

Jovovich’s obvious dedication to her role is admirable, but unfortunately, it’s in service of a depressingly derivative, disjointed film. Protector is devoid of engaging characters, suspense or anything resembling an original idea (not even the stupid twist ending).