‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2,’ ‘Lifeforce,’ Al Pacino’s ‘Cruising’ Lead Arrow Video’s February Releases
by David Lewis
Arrow Video is wishing you an early Happy Valentine’s Day with a February release slate that includes a gruesome twosome from director Tobe Hooper, Al Pacino in sweaty leather, rare Japanese gangster fare, and more.
First up is Hooper’s wild 1986 sequel Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, featuring stars Dennis Hopper and Bill Moseley, a significantly higher budget than the original, and a chainsaw fight in an abandoned amusement park. Newly restored in 4K, the set includes three audio commentaries, bonus features, limited edition packaging, a double-sided poster, and more. Available only in the UK.
Hooper returns with the 1985 sci-fi sleaze insanity known as Lifeforce, also available only in the UK. Starring Mathilda May, Peter Firth, Frank Finlay, and Patrick Stewart, Lifeforce is presented in a brand new 4K restoration which includes both the 116-minute international cut and the 101-minute theatrical cut generated from the original negative. Special features include three audio commentaries, the feature-length Cannon Fodder: The Making of Lifeforce, a collector’s booklet, reversible sleeve, and more.
Things return to Earth for 1980’s gritty cult classic Cruising on a 2-disc limited edition 4K UHD. Directed by William Friedkin (The French Connection, To Live and Die in LA), the controversial thriller finds Al Pacino going undercover in the 1970s NYC gay club scene to find a serial killer. With a brand new 4K restoration from the original 35mm camera negative, new bonus features include never-before-seen material, a 120-page perfect-bound book, a reversible sleeve, and more. Available in the US and UK.
Next up is a 1967 doubleheader with A Certain Killer and A Killer’s Key on limited edition Blu-ray. Directed by Kazuo Mori (The Tale of Zatoichi Continues) and starring Raizō Ichikawa (Shinobi: Band of Assassins), both crime dramas are making their English-language home video debut. The US-only Blu-ray release includes commentaries, introductions, a booklet, a reversible sleeve, and more.
February closes out with the 2023 western neo-noir The Last Stop in Yuma County on limited edition Blu-ray only available in the UK. Starring Jim Cummings, Richard Brake, and Barbara Crampton, special features include three audio commentaries, featurettes, a collector’s booklet, a reversible sleeve, and more.
Also be sure to check out Arrow’s December releases, featuring some Sylvester Stallone sci-fi, classic Steve McQueen, and all of the Critters. But save some money for January, when Arrow will unleash Quentin Tarantino‘s Oscar winner Inglourious Basterds and the dark Jennifer Lopez thriller The Cell.
