Horror of Dracula (Great Britain, 1958, Warner Archive Collection, 2 Blu-rays, NR, 82 min.). This film continued an audience-pleasing series of Gothic horror films for Hammer Studios. It was directed by Terence Fisher, who directed a total of 20 films for Hammer, including the groundbreaking “Curse of Frankenstein” (1957) that was Hammer Studios’ first Gothic horror.

The Dracula film’s mix of sensual horror and bloody action helped make Peter Cushing (Dr. Van Helsing) and Christopher Lee (Dracula) global superstars. In this two-disc set, the film has been restored from the original film negatives and looks superb. The release contains four versions of the film, with both new and 2012 audio commentaries. The release contains two new director’s cuts of the film that reincorporate shots removed by the censors in 1958, as well the U.S. and U.K. theatrical releases.

The film begins with librarian Jonathan Harker reporting to duty as Count Dracula’s new employee. Dracula’s imposing castle, which has the people of Klausenberg village trembling, is a character itself, as Harker explores it before meeting his host.

It turns out that Harker has a secret mission of his own, as he knows Dracula is a vampire and intends to kill him by staking him in the heart. However, shortly after meeting Dracula, Harker encounters a woman (Valerie Gaunt of “The Curse of Frankenstein”) who seeks escape from the castle. She turns out to be a vampire as well and bites Harker, leading to his death.

Prior to Harker’s death, Dracula learned of Harker’s fiancée, Lucy Holmwood (Carol Marsh of “A Christmas Carol”). Once he disposes of Harker, Dracula travels to Karlstad and turns Lucy into a vampire.

At the same time, Dr. Van Helsing, Harker’s confederate in plotting against Dracula, tells Lucy’s brother Arthur (Michael Gough, Alfred in Joel Schumacher’s Batman trilogy) and wife Mina (Melissa Stribling of “Wide Boy”) of Harker’s demise and learns of Lucy’s sickness. Van Helsing is determined to kill Dracula himself, although complications ensue.

The film, which has a dramatic score by James Bernard, is set in 1885 during the Victorian era. It presents evil as seduction.

Disc one has the U.K. version director’s cut, with new audio commentary by Lucy Bolton, professor of film philosophy, and actor and film historian Jonathan Rigby, author of “English Gothic,” and 2012 commentary by Rigby and Marcus Hearn; the U.K. theatrical cut, with new commentary by writers Lizbeth Myles and Paul Cornell, creators of the Hammer House of Podcast; a conversation about Christopher Lee between Rigby and Dame Harriet Walter, Lee’s niece (38:14); an 8mm color cutdown (8:28); and a censor card, clapperboards, trailers and the Italian and Spanish title sequences.

Disc two has the U.S. version director’s cut, with new audio commentary by writer/producer Dr. Steve Haberman and filmmaker and film historian Constantine Nasr; the U.S. theatrical version, with new commentary by writer, filmmaker and film programmer Heidi Honeycutt and cult movie expert Toby Roan, and the 2012 commentary by Rigby and Hearn; “The Road to Dracula,” with Tony Dalton, author of “Terence Fisher: Master of Gothic Cinema,” writer Stephen Laws, Hammer expert and writer Wayne Kinsey and Little Shoppe of Horrors publisher Dick Klemensen examining Fisher’s pre-1957 work (58:58); “Gothic for Christians,” with “Hellraiser” star Doug Bradley narrating a new video essay by Haberman that considers Fisher’s personal convictions, directorial style and Gothic body of work for Hammer as a foundational influence on cinematic horror (25:11); 8mm black-and-white cutdown (11 Min.); and four trailers.

The release also comes as a two-disc 4K Ultra HD version and a combination 7-disc set that also includes a work print version and many additional extras. Originally, all were to be released Oct. 27, but I discovered after writing this review that the release date is now Nov. 24. Grade: film and extras 4 stars

Rating guide: 5 stars = classic; 4 stars = excellent; 3 stars = good; 2 stars = fair; dog = skip it

Purchase link for some titles: https://moviezyng.com?bg_ref=ApLKdWV51k

The Haunted Cop Shop (Hong Kong, 1987, 88 Films, Blu-ray, NR, 95 min.). The enjoyable kookie film, which had a sequel the following year, was the directorial debut of screenwriter Jeffrey Lau (directed 37 films, including the “A Chinese Odyssey” trilogy). He wrote the film with Kong Kar-Wai (director of “The Grandmaster,” “Chungking Express”).

In the film, it turns out a Hong Kong police station used to be a Japanese clubhouse when they occupied the city during World War II. At the end of the war, many of the Japanese committed seppuku in the clubhouse, leaving their ghosts behind.

The current police at the station are a quirky lot, starting with Chief Shun (Fung Wu, aka Woo, of “Police Story”). Next-in-charge is Madam Fanny Ho (Kitty Chan, also in the sequel), who often disciplines young cops Macky Kam (Jacky Cheung of “Bullet in the Head,” “Once Upon a Time in China”) and Man-Chiu (Ricky Hui of “Mr. Vampire”), whose lackadaisical actions yield much of the humor.

Crucifix thief Sneaky Ming (Billy Lau of “Mr. Vampire”) is incarcerated at the station, but gets lured into a world of the paranormal by the Japanese spirits. He is tricked into unleashing the fierce General Issei (Rico Chu of “Fist of Fury”), who resurrects as a vampire and wreaks havoc in the city. Madam, Macky and Man-Chiu attempt to put a stop to the terror in the film’s highlight segment.

Along the way, there are such bad-taste episodes as Macky and Man-Chiu taking the station’s pet dog, cooking it (off-screen) and serving bits to Madam. Another scene has a corpse come alive and attack Man-Chiu. To protect themselves from ghosts, the police trio take off their pants and place them on their heads … and it actually works!

The film also has a few scares, as one character even loses an arm.

Extras include audio commentary by Hong Kong film expert Frank Djang; James Mudge discussing the film (24:45); two alternate/extended shots from the Mandarin version (36 secs.); an image gallery (1:51); and a folded two-sided poster. Grade: 3.25 stars; extras 3 stars

Operation Hadal (China, 2025, Well Go USA, Blu-ray, NR, 130 min.). In this third entry in director Dante Lam’s military action series (after “Operation Mekong,” “Operation Red Sea”),the offshore platform Deep Blue 3 in Chinese territorial water is invaded by English-speaking mercenaries, hired by the State of Siekerman. The Chinese Navy sets sail to repel invaders, sending sailors with jetpacks onto the platform.

It turns out the attackers are from an advanced nuclear submarine, the Abyss, captained by Admiral Walter (Bryan Larkin of “London Has Fallen”). The action-packed film has plenty of underwater sequences, including tense ones as the Chinese sub Longying investigates the destroyed transport shuttle of the platform attackers and has to avoid torpedoes fired by the Abyss.

The Longying set is extensive and the viewer is taken through most of it.

Admiral Walter is a strike-first kind of guy, so he begins a mutiny and sends some of his men, after killing those opposed, to steal launch controls from another Siekerman sub. His goal is to set off two underwater large nuclear bombs, in the underwater Moon and Sun bases, then eight smaller nuclear bombs to create earthquakes and tsunamis that will destroy the Chinese coast.

Lam delivers all the spectacle one would expect, but raises the stakes by locating it under crushing depths and in confined spaces. The tight confines of the submarines give the firepower action a new look. Strangely, I came to love the lethal robot dogs, with their shooting and missile firing capabilities.

The sole extra is a short making-of featurette (4:16). Grade: film 3.5 stars; extra 1.5 stars

Waikiki Wedding (1937, Universal Pictures, Blu-ray, NR, 89 min.). Bing Crosby (“White Christmas,” “High Society,” “Robin and the 7 Hoods”) stars as press agent Tony Marvin whose job at a pineapple company is to turn Hawaii into pure paradise in this musical comedy. Tony, who came up with the idea of the Miss Pineapple contest, is tasked with escorting beauty contest winner Georgia Smith (Shirley Ross of “The Big Broadcast of 1937”) and her friend Myrtle Finch (Martha Raye of “Give Me a Sailor,” “Mountain Music”) on a tour of the islands.

However, when Georgia finds herself bored and decides to go home, Tony must go to outrageous lengths to convince her to stay in Hawaii or else risk a public relations nightmare. The plot involves Georgia being caught with a stolen black pearl, the sacred Momi Pele, which prevents a nearby volcano from erupting. Georgia, Myrtle, Tony and Shad Buggle (Bob Burns of “Mountain Music” as Tony’s comic best friend) are captured by Hawaiian native Kimo (Anthony Quinn of “Zorba the Greek,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Lust for Life” in only his fourth credited role) and brought to the volcano’s island.

The volcano is “threatening” because Kino and other village residents are burning wood within its cone. Other gags include Mrytle getting her hand stuck in a typewriter and Tony accidentally knocking Georgia off the dock into the water. There also is a fun pig chase.

The film has 10 songs, including Bing and others singing "Blue Hawaii." Crosby also sings the Academy Award-winning "Sweet Leilani." Raye sings “Okolehao,” which lists more than a dozen alcoholic drinks. In one musical number, a couple dance on top of very large drums. The film was made at a time when most Americans were still unfamiliar with Hawaii; thus, it is a shame it only is in black and white. Grade: film 3.25 stars

College Swing (1938, Universal Pictures, Blu-ray, NR, 86 min.). In this rather-dated musical film, comedienne Gracie Allen plays Gracie Alden, who is trying to graduate from college, after nine failures, so she can inherit the small-town college. One of the film’s few sparks are Gracie’s constant misdirecting questions.

The film opens 200 years earlier, with Gracie’s ancestor having the same graduation problem and thus the inheritance rules were set up that a descendant of hers must graduate college within 200 years. Bob Hope (“Road to Utopia,” “The Ghost Breakers”) plays Bud Brady, a con man who agrees to tutor Gracie for $25,000 and a $10,000 annual salary. He steals a copy of the final exam from George Jonas (George Burns, Gracia Allen’s husband and usual comedy partner).

Once Gracie passes and gets control of the college, she hires a whole new faculty, all of whom are ridiculous choices. Martha Raye (see “Waikiki Wedding” above) plays Mabel Gray, the fake French professor who falls in with Bud. Gracie’s Uncle Hubert Dash (Edward Everett Horton of “Arsenic and Old Lace,” “Lost Horizon”) has an excessive fear of women.

Most of the comedy is silly, except for Allen’s verbal sparring and Raye’s physical comedy. Much of the music – there are nine songs in all – takes place at The Hangout, a student center that is more like a daytime nightclub. Grade: film 2 stars

Please Don’t Eat the Daisies (1960, Warner Archive Collection, Blu-ray, NR, 121 min.). Drama critic Laurence Mackay (David Niven of “The Pink Panther,” “Murder by Death”), his wife Kate (Doris Day of “Pillow Talk,” “Calamity Jane”) and their four sons move from their crowded Manhattan apartment to an extremely-large, fixer-upper house in the country.

While housewife Kate settles into suburban life, Laurence, a former professor, continues to enjoy his new job as one of the seven New York City theater critics who determine the life or death of a production. He also has come to enjoy the NYC party scene and begins a flirtatious, mostly verbal relationship with Broadway star Deborah Vaughn (Janis Paige of “Silk Stockings,” “Romance on the High Seas”), whose talent he ridiculed in his new job debut. That musical also was the work of Alfred North (Richard Haydn of “The Sound of Music,” “And Then There Were None”), his longtime friend and godfather to his four sons.

Adam (Baby Gellert), the youngest son, was usually kept in a cage in their NYC apartment, as he is an expert lockpicker.

Kate gets involved with her new Hooten on the Hudson neighbors, agreeing to star in their fundraising musical, a one-time show that has unknowingly been given the script of the unproduced, only play Laurence has even written.

The film very much has the feels of a Sixties film with its tale of suburban life, a large family and possible infidelity. Day gets to sing a couple of songs, including the title track.

The sole bonus is the “My Eldest Child” episode of the 1965-67 “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” TV show, starring Patricia Crowley and Mark Miller (25:30). For some reason, the location and all the names are different, but it is good that the children have a lot more to do. Grade: film 3 stars; extra 2 stars

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated: The Complete Series (2010-2013, Warner Archive Collection, 6 Blu-rays, NR, 1,170 min.). The sleepy little village of Crystal Cove boasts a long history of ghost sightings, poltergeists, demon possessions, phantoms and other paranormal occurrences. The renowned sleuthing team of Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby-Doo prove all of this simply is not real as they deal with a monster-of-the-week, while along the way uncovering a larger, series-long mystery that changes everything.

The delightful series is one of the most innovative attempts at adapting the tried-and-true formula of Scooby-Doo for a new generation of fans. There is enough grace and spirit to appeal to long-time devotees as well. Part of the new approach is to include the parents of Shaggy, Velma, Fred and Daphne, with some adequate development and presence, although they do not become really involved in any of the mystery-solving activities.

The set contains all 52 animated episodes that originally aired across two seasons. Extras include audio commentaries on select episodes by Matt Hargreaves and Andy Clift, the producers of “Eddsworld.” Grade: series 3.5 stars; extras 2.5 stars

Forever: The Complete Series (2014-2015, Warner Archive Collection, 5 Blu-rays or 5 DVDs, NR, 15 hours 24 mins.). I loved this seriesand was sad that it only got one season. This otherworldly drama from Matt Miller (“Chuck”), Dan Lin (“Sherlock Holmes”) and Jennifer Gwartz (“Veronica Mars”) – creators of two more of my favorite series -- follows Dr. Henry Morgan (Ioan Gruffudd of 2 “Fantastic Four” films, the 6 “Horatio Hornblower” TV films, TV’s “Harrow”), a star New York City medical examiner who is immortal. Only his best friend and confidant, Abe (Emmy winner Judd Hirsch of TV’s “Taxi”), full of life at age 75, knows Henry's secret, that Henry has not aged at all since his clock stopped 200 years ago.

Masking his inability to die becomes increasingly difficult when he meets NYPD detective Jo Martinez (Alana De La Garza of TV’s “Law and Order”), who is fascinated by Henry after learning he was the sole survivor of a horrific train crash. Also, Henry’s knowledge is extremely helpful to her in solving crimes. The show is well-written and definitely worth checking out.

The set includes all 22 episodes, including some unaired scenes as a bonus. Grade: series 3.75 stars; extras 1.25 stars

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – Season 27 (2025-2026, Universal Pictures, 4 Blu-rays, NR, 14 hours 38 mins.). Created by Emmy Award-winning producer Dick Wolf, the series is the longest-running primetime drama in American television history. The gripping and emotionally-charged NBC series follows the detectives of the New York City Police Department's Special Victims Unit, an elite squad dedicated to investigating sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence cases. The series stars Mariska Hargitay, Ice T, Peter Scanavino, Kelli Giddish, Kevin Kane and Aime Donna Kelly.

Cases this season start with the investigation of a rape suspect for rape and the need to protect their key witness, an unregistered alien who becomes targeted by ICE. Meanwhile, a new chief of detectives puts Capt. Olivia Benson (Hargitay) to the test and an off-duty Sgt. Odafin “Fin” Tutuola (Ice T) tries to stop an assault in progress. In other cases, they encounter a social club’s strict confidentiality rule; a possible bomb in a DNA lab; an assault at a house party; a disturbing cassette tape is found in a thrift store haul; the lives of Amanda Rollins (Kelli Giddish) and Dominic Carisi’s (Peter Scanavino) are threatened; a murder at a fan convention; and a baby monitor picking up a rogue signal that indicates a boy is in danger. Grade: season 3.5 stars