Journo Justin Beahm join the SHOCK squad with a new column.
In the age of streaming and downloading movies, Blu-ray and DVD releases are more and more dependent on additional features being included to entice the buying public. Special Features Include will spotlight the cream of the crop, exploring the bonus elements that elevate a good release to a great one.
THERE’S NOTHING OUT THERE
Distributor: Troma Entertainment
Format: DVD
Disc release: 2010
Original release: 1990
Director: Rolfe Kanefsky
Special features include:
– New introduction by Lloyd Kaufman, President of Troma Entertainment
– New film deconstruction and secrets of success with writer/director Rolfe Kanefsky
– New audio commentary with Rolfe Kanefsky
– JUST LISTEN short film from Rolfe Kanefsky
– Rolfe Kanefsky’s short film MOOD BOOBS starring Tiffany Shepis
– MOOD BOOBS behind the scenes featurette
– Music video
– Behind the scenes featurette
– Original cast auditions
– Pre-production footage and video storyboards
– Animation test footage and deleted shots
– Production stills
– Original theatrical trailer
– Original commentary with Rolfe Kanefsky
THERE’S NOTHING OUT THERE laid the foundation for self-referential horror. Director Rolfe Kanefsky, in high school when he wrote the script in 1987, took the clueless-teens-in-peril formula and turned it on its head with the story of horror nerd Mike (Craig Peck) who starts to recognize movie tropes happening to himself and his friends during a weekend in the country, guiding his pals in a fight against a horny otherworldly creature. The film, shot in 1989, is a hilarious love letter to genre cinema, video rental culture, creature features, and independent filmmaking. Groundbreaking, essential viewing.
One year after penning TNOT, Kanefsky got his foot in the door with New York indie stalwart Troma, when he served as production assistant on Lloyd Kaufman’s WAR. Troma was initially the first to show interest in distributing TNOT, but Kanefsky decided to go with Image and Prism Entertainment. Image/Prism released TNOT on videocassette and laserdisc, sporting somewhat misleading cover art showcasing a massive monster and supportive quotes from New York Daily News and Joe Bob Briggs. The release was a hit with rental facilities, and via tape and word of mouth, it began its ascent to cult classic status. Several years later the film would garner even more attention in a most unexpected way.
In 1996 director Wes Craven reinvigorated horror with SCREAM, the story of some teenagers being picked off by a maniac (or maniacs) while one of their own, familiar sounding horror aficionado Randy (Jamie Kennedy), spouted warnings about the “rules” in a horror film in effort to aid in survival. The film did tremendous box office, and when fans started digging for similar fare, all roads led back to TNOT. Despite all that and a growing fanbase, a quality home video release eluded Kanefsky’s little monstrosity until Image assembled a pretty stout DVD in 2000, featuring commentary, some behind the scenes footage, and other goodies. But Kanefsky had more material, and a greater story to share.
Ten years later after rights reverted to Kanefsky, Troma once again showed interest in releasing the film. Anyone who knows Troma knows they show little love on disc to films they acquire for distribution. Their own pictures, TOXIC AVENGER, TERROR FIRMER, and POULTRYGEIST, for example, get packed DVDs, but the movies like BLOOD HOOK and STUFF STEPHANIE IN THE INCINERATOR get the sparse, poorly transferred digital treatment Troma has become famous for. That known, it was a shock when TNOT was announced on their 2010 release slate, given the deluxe treatment over a two disc 20th anniversary edition sporting the special features culled from the DVD and a bunch of new material.
Simply put, this release is stellar. To start with, we have the rare inclusion of two commentary tracks from the director, the first of which was done in 2000, focusing on the technical aspects of the production of the film. The second was recorded for the new release, and while it has plenty of interesting making-of information, it also allows Kanefsky the chance to discuss the legacy of the film and his prolific career writing and directing independent cinema.
The “film deconstruction and secrets of success” is similar to the second commentary in Kanefsky’s personal, frank discussion/confession about his career, the production of the film, and the various distribution roads it traveled over time. Throughout all these features, a clear picture is painted of the making of the film, and interestingly, also of Kanefsky. He doesn’t dance around the challenges of trying to survive in the industry, and his passion for motion pictures is clear throughout.
While this entire release will be of interest to filmmakers, one of the neatest inclusions is the pre-production footage and information. Kanefsky had advance access to the main location for filming, so he made use of the time leading up to the shoot by taking cast and crew and doing full run throughs, blocking the action and getting everyone acquainted with the surroundings. The result was a smoother production once they were shooting.
Also included is JUST LISTEN, an earlier short film from the director, that can be seen in the opening sequence of TNOT on a television in a video store. We only see a flash of it though, so it is great to get it all on the bonus material disc.
Rounding out the package *ahem* is a short from Kanefsky called MOOD BOOBS, starring Tiffany Shepis and Shaina Fewell. The short is a silly side road and comes complete with its own making-of documentary.
Troma’s 20th Anniversary Edition of THERE’S NOTHING OUT THERE is one of the most thorough, content packed releases in indie horror and is highly recommended. It is great to see one of fringe cinema’s hardest working people have what is arguably his greatest success celebrated with such love.
