SAVED BY THE BELL: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION
 
Relive the laughter, lessons and love with Zack and his friends
in this 16-disc collector's set, featuring every episode from
'Good Morning, Miss Bliss' to 'The College Years',
and it's available today for pre-order, at Amazon.com! 
 
Missing your favorite pals from Bayside High? It's alright, 'cause you're SAVED BY THE BELL! On October 2nd, 2018, Shout! Factory invites TV aficionados to a very special class reunion with the 16-disc collector's release of Saved by the Bell: The Complete Collection, a "Max-ed" out, completist's DVD set of the iconic and addictive '90s Saturday morning sitcom.
 
Set in the fictional town of Palisades, California and in the hallways of Bayside High, the breezy adventures of Zack Morris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and his friends -- Kelly Kapowski (Tiffani-Amber Thiessen), A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez), Jessie Myrtle Spano (Elizabeth Berkley), Lisa Turtle (Lark Voorhies), and Samuel "Screech" Powers (Dustin Diamond) -- were a cultural touchstone for a generation of teens, changing teen programming forever and launching the careers of its break-out stars. Now, home audiences can relive the laughter, lessons, and love all over again with this loaded set containing more than 46 incredible hours of Bayside bliss, including every episode from 1988's "Good Morning, Miss Bliss" which became "Saved By the Bell: The Junior High Years" and the fan-favorite "Saved by the Bell" to "Saved By the Bell: The College Years" and the two feature-length TV movies that followed. The TV DVD archivists at Shout! Factory are hard at work on exclusive bonus features, and they will be announced at a future date.
 
From 1989 to 1993, for a generation of TV viewers, "Saved by the Bell" was the show that perfectly echoed their lives in middle school and high school. Originally titled "Good Morning, Miss Bliss" with Hayley Mills in the title role, the first thirteen episodes of the series featured Zack, Screech, Lisa and Mr. Belding, and was based at John F. Kennedy Junior High in Indianapolis. Following its cancellation, NBC retooled the show as "Saved by the Bell" and the rest is history...and math, and science, and... And, across 86 glorious episodes, audiences followed the memorable experiences and adventures of Zack and the gang. And, following graduation, Zack, Kelly, Slater and Screech enrolled at California University where the successful franchise could matriculate with the prime-time sitcom, "Saved by the Bell: The College Years". The series finally wrapped with two feature-length, prime time TV movies, "Hawaiian Style", which brought the Bayside bunch to the Big Island for a wacky Waikiki adventure and "Wedding in Las Vegas", which saw the on-again, off-again lovebirds Zack and Kelly make their relationship official on a day the gang will never forget.
From JFK Junior High to Cal U, Miss Bliss to Mr. Belding, Malibu Sands to Hawaii, and dance contests to "dearly beloved", the Saved by the Bell megaset immortalizes a landmark teen TV show that still resonates with its die-hard fans around the world. Fans, friends, jocks, and nerds --ask not for whom The Bell tolls ... it tolls for thee!
 
About Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory's entertainment offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials. In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast entertainment distribution network which delivers culturally relevant programming, movie and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America and across multiple platforms. Shout! Factory owns and operates Shout! Studios, Scream Factory, Shout! Factory Kids, Mystery Science Theater 3000, Timeless Media Group and Shout! Factory TV. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. Shout! Factory is based in Los Angeles, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com.

PATH OF BLOOD (2018)
Directed and Produced by: Jonathan Hacker
Executive Producers: Mark Boal, Abdulrahman Alrashed, Adel Alabdulkarim



“Martyrdom”
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jonathan Hacker and based on his book of the same title, Path of Blood depicts Islamist terrorism as it has never been seen before. Using jihadi home-movie footage (captured by Saudi security services), this is a brutal, harrowing story of Muslim terrorists targeting Muslim civilians and brought to justice by Muslim security agents. As the press release correctly notes, it’s a stark reminder that all who are touched by terrorism are also victimized by it.
At times both powerful shocking, Path of Blood will unnerve many Americans (or should) as it shows how brainwashed youths, fueled by idealism and the misguided pursuit of adventure, descend into madness and carnage…all in the name of radical Islam. As one young man says simply, “Jihada is NOT the way to God. It’s the only way to God.” Hacker, who was given unprecedented access to raw, unvarnished footage (he had to negotiate exclusive access, and one wonders about what stipulations were involved) captures young thrill-seekers at a jihadi “boot camp” deep in the Saudi desert. When we first see them they’re smiling, joking and playing games with each other; this only makes this scene all the more jarring when they plot to detonate car bombs in downtown Riyadh. The matter-of-fact approach is startling as they conspire to “destroy Satan and all of His allies.” More startling is that in just a few minutes one man who was talking will be shown lying in a bloody heap after the suicide mission is completed; he’s now just a pile of flesh. The juxtapositions between casual meetings and violent outcomes are the strongest parts of Path of Blood, and director Hacker carries it off admirably.

The audience is taken into terrorist safe houses and training camps (with footage provided by Al Qaeda supporters) and, near the end of the film, an oil refinery where terrorists hope to inflict major damage. Saudi officials blast these “savages who have brought shame to Islam.” The Muslim terrorists view themselves as martyrs for their cause. They also refuse to turn themselves in or go back into hiding saying, “I would rather die than live in disgrace.” You get a real sense of the dedication and determination (no matter how misplaced Americans may view it) these young men have toward duty. What we call terrorism they simply see as their sole purpose. It is their job to bring down America, with whatever means possible. As one man notes chillingly, “I bring you slaughter.” If they die, they die. For them it’s either Victory or Martyrdom.
Though Hacker adopts a fairly objective approach to the material, there are a few missteps. He treats us to an all-too-obvious shot of a “Please Clean Room” sign hung on the door of a hotel room where several terrorists lie in bloody pools (if he was going for an attempt at wry humor, it falls flat). And the ending is perfunctory. Path of Blood simply ends with a rather dismissive note that after a few years of an Al Qaeda in retreat, it’s now back and stronger than ever. Yes, the story is still unfolding. But I found the closing minute too abrupt.
The most terrifying part of Path of Blood is the also the hardest to watch. An American captive, bound and blindfolded, is being interrogated by terrorists. What begins as an inquisition quickly turns violent, as the captive is ultimately beheaded (off-camera, thankfully). As the audio continues to play over a fuzzy screen we hear a small child say plainly, “That’s my daddy’s knife.” Knowing what’s happening, combined with the presence of the child and his pragmatic statement, is more than simply distressing; it’s sinister. This is evil in its purest form.
Victory or Martyrdom. Path of Blood is a vital, harrowing journey into terrorism. After you’ve taken it, it will be hard to shake.



From the Back Row,
Darren McCullah

PRESSING ON (2018)
VOD/DVD RELEASE JUNE 19
Directed by: Andrew P. Quinn and Erin Beckloff
Director of Photography: Joseph Vella
Producer: Kevin Grazioli
Cast: multiple



“Touching History”
     Pressing On: The Letterpress Film is a nostalgic, handsomely mounted documentary on the printing press, which sadly has fallen out of favor in today’s computer-driven world. Directors Andrew P. Quinn and Erin Beckloff clearly have a love for their subject, and it shows in every frame of this excellent film.

     It’s not a stretch to say that the modern world was born on a printing press. Though once essential to communication (and the dissemination of information), it has become something of a relic, a dinosaur from the Stone Age (or in this case, the Metal Age) that is now often used merely for commemorative purposes. In a period when Nostalgia seems to be back in fashion, the printing press may stand half a chance of actually surviving…as long as its strengths continue to be appreciated by those yearning for a simpler--and more concise--time.

     Through numerous interviews Pressing On provides multiple narratives from those still using the machines; some are joyful, others melancholy and wistful, but all do a good job of conveying this invention’s importance, both in the past and present day. We’re told how “printing is a privilege”, and that it can be a physically demanding job (one print shop owner shows us missing tips of his fingers from machine accidents as well as lead burns; he recalls them fondly as “battle scars.”) We’re also told that due to today’s fast-paced society in which we’re always looking for speed over substance, the printing press is “being thrown away immediately because we’ve found a new, faster way to do things.” You get a true sense from the film that we’ve sacrificed a large part of history in order to get things done more quickly; advances in technology (computers and copy machines alike) may be wonderfully practical, but they’ve also robbed us of a bit of history.

MAN MADE (2018)
Directed by: T Cooper
Written by: T Cooper and Allison Glock-Cooper
Director of Photography: T Cooper
Executive Producer: Tea Leoni, T Cooper, John Hirsch and Ron Yassen
Cast: Mason Caminiti, Dominic Chilko, Kennie Story, & Rese Weaver



“By Definition”
     Man Made is an insightful, compassionate documentary that follows the extraordinary (and in some ways, ordinary) lives of four transgender men as they prepare to compete at TransFitCon, to date the only all trans-bodybuilding competition in the world (it’s held annually in Atlanta, Georgia). Indeed, the film had its world premiere at the Atlanta Film Festival, where it won Best Documentary Feature and Jury Award; it also received Best Documentary Feature at the Translations Seattle Transgender Film Festival. The awards are deserved.

     Directed by trans-filmmaker T Cooper with both humanity and reverence, Man Made follows four trans bodybuilders as they not only prep for the contest but also battle their own inner turmoil (and in a few cases, demons). They hail from such varied locations as Atlanta, St. Paul, Cleveland and Arkansas, and each brings a different perspective and set of experiences on what it’s like to live life openly as transgender. Some have loving stories of family acceptance (most also have romantic partners); but there are a few who have gone through devastating loss. Yet each finds great inner strength; they will not be “defined” by society’s conception of manhood. Each has their own personal story to tell, and each is on a journey of self-identity and empowerment. The results are startling…and the film is an undeniable winner.

We meet Mason, who’s about to undergo his last sexual reassignment surgery. Though he’s struggled with mental illness, he’s been blessed to have the support of family and friends. Dominic Chilko is having a double mastectomy, which will allow him to live completely as male. For him it’s been an uphill battle. “Just not killing myself has been an accomplishment,” he declares at one point. Through Kennie Story we learn not only about his background but also the pain his mother went through. “First my child told me they were gay, the second time that they were trans. I got kicked in the stomach twice.” The most poignant story in Man Made is that pertaining to Rese Weaver. His girlfriend admits to still having problems with names (“I keep slipping up on my pronouns,” she admits with embarrassment). Weaver was also turned out by his mother and lived on the streets for a while. You realize the inherent (and ultimately ridiculous) problem with being both trans and homeless; the shelters are clueless as to where to put you. “They don’t know if you should be placed with men or women,” Rese relates. “So they hand you a granola bar and an orange and say, ‘Good luck!’” And back on the streets you go.

     Though these four individuals are certainly extraordinary in many ways, Man Made also shows how wonderfully alike we ALL are; we all want to be loved, to find a partner, to be happy and respected. One couple met through a Facebook group. Others discuss how difficult it is to get good health insurance. And though you see the drive for social justice, each of these exemplary athletes want what we all want: to be seen beyond gender and just be seen as a person. “I’d like to just be left alone so I can just be,” says Mason. Kenny’s mother says simply, “How can you not be okay with your kid being happy?” It’s all you need to know…and all that really should matter.
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     With Man Made, T Cooper has made one of the most authentic documentaries about living as transgender in America. It’s about how we all come down the same path, how we all carry scars (both internal and external). The irony with our four competitors is that these trans bodybuilders want nothing to do with being judged…unless it’s in competition. Man Made is a worthy, emotional addition to LGBTQ cinema.



From the Back Row,
Darren McCullah

Provocator’s Trans Vampire Tale BIT Completes Production in Los Angeles
AS SEEN IN DEADLINE, READ HERE

From L-R: Char Diaz, Friday Chamberlain, Diana Hopper and Zolee Griggs

Starring Diana Hopper, James Paxton and Introducing Nicole Maines
Written & Directed by Brad Michael Elmore

(Los Angeles, CA: July 2nd, 2018) As reported in Deadline, Provocator announced that production has just finished in Los Angeles on BIT, a vampire horror film written and directed by Brad Michael Elmore.

BIT is the story of Laurel, a teenage transgender girl who moves to LA and falls in with a gang of intersectional feminist vampires.  Not knowing if they want to kill her, befriend her or turn her, Laurel learns to understand the love and dangers of her new and first group of friends.

The film will star newcomer Nicole Maines who gave a TEDx Talk about growing up openly transgender.  Nicole was featured in the HBO documentary “The Trans List” and is the subject of the New York Times bestselling book “Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family” by author Amy Ellis Nutt.  She also made a guest appearance, as a transgender teen, in an episode of the USA Network TV drama “Royal Pains”.


Here is also a link to the star, Nicole's TEDx Talk.
https://youtu.be/bXnTAnsVfN8

BIT also stars Diana Hopper (“Goliath”), M.C. Gainey (DJANGO UNCHAINED), James Paxton (“Eyewitness”) Friday Chamberlain (THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS), Greg Hill (OPERATION FINALE), Zolee Griggs (“Adam Knows Everything”) and first time actor Char Diaz.


BIT is produced by Nicholas Cafritz, Robert Reed Peterson, Louis Steyn, T.J. Steyn, Peter Winther and executive produced by Michael D. Jones.  The film was shot by cinematographer Cristina Dunlap and line-produced by Veronica Radaelli. Brad Michael Elmore has written and directed BIT, after his Blumhouse produced BOOGEYMAN POP, which premiered at this year’s Cinepocalypse 2018.
To read the Deadline piece, click here.
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