I can’t believe I’m already writing a best of for 2020. I feel like I’m speaking for the entire population of the planet when I say that his year just dragged. That being said in the midst of this there has been lots of cool pop-culture awesomeness released into the market. I don’t order these except for the first few which I feel are some of the most important releases (to me personally) in a given year. Also, if a release is written about about here that means a member of the EuroCultAV staff has actually gotten hands-on time with it. The list will have movies at the top, game and book related content toward the bottom.
Split Second (MVD Rewind)
Split Second is a Rutger Hauer Action/Sci-Fi/Horror film from the early 90’s that has not had a great life on home video. It has had a release on Blu-ray in Germany that has been Krekel’d (and if you know what that means, you know it’s bad). MVD stepped up to the plate, and gave it a very solid transfer, and audio mix making it look better than it ever has before. It is loaded with extras, and I’ll just be straight with you. I watched this sucker twice in one day when it came in. I never do that. This movie is a blast, and you need it in your collection.
Cruel Jaws (Severin Films)
Severin Films has been one of my favorite labels since I got a DVD of their release of Jess Franco’s Blind Dead-sequel-thing Mansion of the Living Dead in the late 2000’s. They have a sheer dedication to releasing the wildest and weirdest in EuroCult, EuroSleaze, and Eurohorror and occasionally flaunting it with slipcovers that tease their pseudo-sequel titles (Like Terminator 2 for Shocking Dark). One film I never imagined would get a legit release at all, by anyone EVER is Bruno Mattei’s Cruel Jaws, and yet here we are in this strangest of years and Severin has released it with not one, but two cuts (one teased as the “Snyder Cut”). Cruel Jaws is absolutely crazy, it’s fun, and it is a necessary addition to any EuroCult connoisseurs collection. You need this madness.
Dawn of the Dead (Second Sight Films)
You might wonder why this isn’t #1. Honestly, this might be the single greatest release of a film EVER. But it’s also not easy to get. It’s a huge and expensive limited edition that is sure to please any Dawn of the Dead fans who do get their hands on it. I personally got the UHD of it, and doubled down and bought a 4K TV literally because I bought a new copy of Dawn of the Dead. When I watched the various cuts of the film, I realized that the cost was worth every penny. You get every single cut of the film, discs full of extras (Region Locked Blu-ray), soundtracks CD’s of not only Goblin, but the library music used in the film, and 2 books the novelization and liner notes. My only complaint is that it wasn’t a combo pack, as I haven’t upgraded to a 4k projector yet, it would be nice to project this gorgeous new transfer on my personal screen, but I digress. This is the be all, end all of Dawn of the Dead releases until we get an 8k format.
The Complete Lenzi/Baker Giallo Collection (Severin)
Anytime classic gialli get released to Blu-ray is a reason for me to get excited. When they get released in a box set as comprehensive as Severin Film’s The Complete Lenzi/Baker Giallo Collection by excitement obtains new levels. This set includes Orgasmo, So Sweet, So Perverse, A Quiet Place to Kill, and Knife of Ice. All 4 collaborations between Umberto Lenzi and Hollywood starlet Carroll Baker. I had previously only seen Knife of Ice, and when I had I found myself disappointed. The Severin restoration of that film turned things around for Knife of Ice, well the 3 other films were excellent surprises right out of the gate, and at the same time loaded with excellent extras.
The Complete Films of Agnes Varda (Criterion)
I have always loved getting a good chunk of an artist’s work in one place. It comes from the fact that when I get hooked on someone’s work I want it all, and I want to basically marathon and absorb it in the best quality possible. Sadly, that is not always possible. When I got into French New Wave films 20 years ago I only saw a few films by the amazing Agnes Varda, this set by Criterion fixed that and in the span of 2 weeks I basically went nuts watching so much of her work. It was like a film school flashback, and I loved every minute of it. Amazing collection, and necessary for arthouse film buffs.
Eric Rohmer’s Six Moral Tales Collection (Criterion)
OK, I’ll preface this by saying we didn’t get our hands on this one in time to review it. But I did have the DVD’s back in the day, and know that Criterion will do nothing but great things with this set. If you are a fan of Rohmer, and his work, this might be the greatest of his early New Wave period in one comprehensive collection. You owe it to yourself (or hint at one of your loved one’s to pick this one up).
Fellini Centennial Collection (Criterion)
While not entirely complete (it’s missing some titles owned currently by Arrow Video and the Cohen Film Collection) it is bringing forth the North American Blu-ray debuts of films like Juliet of the Spirits, La Strada, Variety Lights, and Nights of Cabiria. For those that haven’t picked up a lot of Fellini on Blu-ray it is a must. For those who can wait no longer for a Blu-ray of La Strada and the aforementioned, you can no have all these wonderful films in a nice package for your shelf.
War of the Worlds (Criterion)
1953’s George Pal Produced, Byron Haskin directed War of the Worlds is one of the most luscious looking Science Fiction films of the 1950’s and also one of the best. It’s not a fully accurate depiction of the Well’s novel on which it’s based, but it is a huge, glorious technicolor explosion that certainly makes for a suspenseful, excellent, fun time, and is justifiably a classic. This year’s Criterion Blu-ray makes everything look all the better.
The Lady Eve (Criterion)
I have to admit to being a huge fan of the screwball comedies of Preston Sturges, and The Lady Eve is probably number one on my list of favorites by the director. This year Criterion knocked out a wonderful restoration of the film, which makes this a must see, and a must get for the Sturges fan on your holiday list.
The Elephant Man (Criterion)
The Elephant Man is the film that put David Lynch on the cinematic map. Produced by Mel Brooks, who gave Lynch free reign over the production with is one of Lynch’s most truly dramatic affairs and helped him gain a foothold in Hollywood and give him some control over the rest of his career. It has some solid home video releases over the years, but none on North American Blu-ray, and not one as good looking as this.
Armored Trooper VOTOMS – Complete Collection
OK, so EuroCultAV is known for targeting the Audio/Video aficionado with our reviews, but over the last few years a lot of SD content has appeared on Blu-ray. Some with better results then others. I have long ago come to the conclusion I’d much prefer a film or TV show be released to Blu-ray on SD then on DVD. It offers a chance to a better audio mix, and less compression in the authoring process.
Now here we have the seminal sci-fi anime Armored Trooper VOTOMS put out in complete collection form by Sentai Filmworks/Maiden Japan. This release is TREMENDOUS. It is SD, but it is not too much content shoe-horned on a disc, so everything is given room to breath. Everything here looks good, and you pretty much get everything VOTOMS related in one place. If you are to buy one extremely classic anime series on Blu-ray this year, make it this one.
Garden of Words (Sentai Filmworks)
Makato Shinkai has been making films since the 90’s (well shorts…), but blew up as an international sensation with his 2016 film Your Name. Sentai Filmworks previously released his 46 minute short feature the Garden of Words on DVD, but now with his latest Weathering With You getting a domestic Blu-ray/UHD release via Shout Factory, it seems the time was right to give this one an upgrade, and it looks outstanding. If you only know Shinkai from this latest pick this one up.
Weathering With You (Shout! Factory)
…And speaking of Shinkai here is a LE Collector’s Set of Weathering With You, his latest film. I reviewed the film positively when it hit Blu-ray a few months ago, but this release with a CD, Blu-ray, and UHD disc (completely necessary this film is gorgeous) packed with a 104 page book in a hard box is a great gift for the anime fan in your life this holiday season.
Galaxy Angels (Right Stuf)
Galaxy Angels is an anime series that started in the early 2000’s as an adaptation of video game. As such the first series was kind of serious, but colorful space sci-fi. The series was spun-off into series 2, 3, and 4 each getting weirder, more eclectic, and funnier. Over the past year (and back into 2019) Right Stuf had begun putting these wonderful comedic sequel series on to excellent Blu-ray editions with Z, A, AA+S, and finally X. These look great, sound great, and are a must add to one’s collection.
Akira UHD (Funimation)
Anyone who reads this site long enough knows that as well as having a love for classic cinema and EuroCult films, I love anime. That love boils down to 2 places, watching Robotech and Dragon Warrior episodes as a kid, and this movie as a young teenager. I’ve owned Akira on DVD, VHS, and Blu-ray. This is another one we haven’t gotten our hands on as of publishing, but being that it has never looked bad on any format to date, I can pretty safely say that it will be the definitive Akira release for years to come.
Paranoia Agent (Funimation)
Earlier this year we got a wonderful Blu-ray release of Satoshi Kon’s Millennium Actress via Shout Factory, and we are closing 2020 with a release of Kon’s TV show Paranoia Agent. In both regular and steelbook editions. As with all of Kon’s other work (Perfect Blue, Paprika) it is a must see. It starts very noir-ish before descending into the surreal. The Blu-ray release will definitely bring the visuals out like no other release before it.
Beast and the Magic Sword (Mondo Macabro)
Back in the DVD days, BCI put out a handful of Naschy, so did Code Red, Mondo Macabro did a nice job on Panic Beats (and has upgraded that one as of October), but overall the man’s work was largely ignored. Now that’s changed in this wonderful era of HD releases, and one of the labels that has been killing it with Naschy releases is Mondo Macabro who put out the Japanese set Beast and the Magic Sword earlier this year. This release is the first official North American Blu-ray release of the film, looks gorgeous, and has a nice extras slate for the Naschy fan it’s a must buy.
Satanico Pandemonium (Mondo Macabro)
Satanico Pandemonium is NUNSPLOITATION GOLD. This was one of the first Mondo Macabro releases I owned on DVD, and I am happy to have it rejoin their collection in a sexy as Hell (pun definitely intended) Blu-ray edition.
Possessor (Well Go USA)
So after Map to the Stars it seems like David Cronenberg has been about retired, but his son Brandon seems to have picked up where his Dad left off, but not with Map to the Stars, where he left off sometime in the early to mid-80’s. His first feature was Antiviral, and he’s now followed it up with the extremely powerful sci-fi horror of POSSESSOR. This release is out on 4K UHD and Blu-ray via Well Go USA in time for the holidays.
Mad Max UHD (Kino Lorber)
How many copies of the Mad Max films can one own? Apparently a lot, blink and another one will be out. However, this one stands a top the rest as we finally have a 4K edition of George Miller’s genre defining classic. I mean seriously, the 80’s basically was ground zero for post apocalyptic cinema, and you could basically trace every single one of those films back this one. This 4K edition looks brilliant, and I’m happy its here, and loaded with extras.
Killdozer (Kino Lorber)
Getting TV Films to Blu-ray has been difficult. It seems aside from some Dan Curtis films and a few other random things the genre (if you can call it that has been underappreciated. Enter Kino Lorber with their excellent Blu-ray of Killdozer, not only has the film been giving a wonderful 2k scan, but also a few decent extras to sweeten the deal.
Gotcha (Kino Lorber)
OK, this should be higher on the list to be fair. I have wanted Gotcha! On Blu-ray since Blu-ray began. I have never owned this on home video, but saw it on TV a ton growing up. It stars Anthony Edwards as a paintball (then called Gotcha!) obsessed college student who takes a European vacation where he ends up behind the “Iron Curtain”, and involved in an espionage crisis. This movie is ridiculous, fun, and a total must-see. It also looks fabulous here.
The Black Cat (Severin)
The rumor that Luigi Cozzi’s wacky and wonderful Demons 6: De Profundis AKA The Black Cat was finally going to be on Blu had been floating around so long that I assumed it was never going to happen. Back in the 1980s, Dario Argento said that he didn’t feel like finishing his Three Mothers trilogy, Cozzi said, “Hold my beer.” The Black Cat (1989) feels like equal parts shameless rip-off (though Cozzi and Argento’s ongoing friendship makes me think he had the maestro’s blessing), Hong Kong horror spectacle, and cosmic horror mishmash as only Cozzi can do. This is easily my favorite Blu-ray of 2020. – Richard Glenn Schmidt
Demonia (Severin)
Any time there’s a chance for me to reevaluate a Lucio Fulci film that I previously dismissed; I’m going to take it. Luckily, Severin came through like champs with their Blu-ray of Demonia (1990), which not only looks fantastic, it’s loaded with cool Fulci extra features. While Demonia didn’t come out during Fulci’s prime, it connects nicely with his Gates of Hell trilogy. – Richard Glenn Schmidt
Luz (Altered Innocence)
Luz (2018) is a wild take on the old demonic possession film German director Tilman Singer. Thanks to its rad trailer, I was totally hyped for this film and was woefully disappointed that it didn’t play anywhere near me. Once I’d heard that Shudder had acquired it, it was the first thing I watched the moment I subscribed. Luz is a lean and mean 70 minutes with amazing performances from its small cast and is so damn weird and pretty that I’m getting the urge to watch it again while I’m writing this. – Richard Glenn Schmidt
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Review
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century was a sci-fi TV series created by Battlestar Galactica’s Glen Larson, and aired between 1979-1981. Not as well-known as BG, it’s a fun 70’s sci fi series showing a man out of time going on space based adventures in the 25th century and is based off a pulp hero created in 1928. This is the first North America HD release of the whole series and contains the pilot movie.
Solid Metal Nightmares – The Films of Tsukamoto (Arrow Video)
Japanese horror and cult cinema has largely been ignored on Blu-ray, which is crazy as it was a huge BOON on DVD. Granted, DVD coincided with the huge wave of Asian horror of the early 2000’s. The most massive relase we have seen in the genre has to be this one from Arrow Video which contains a huge swath of Shinya Tsukamoto’s theatrical features and shorts and puts them in a comprehensive set with extras and includes a book of liner notes.
Burst City (Arrow Video)
OK again this is a must buy. It’s a Japanese sci-fi action film loaded with punk rock. This is wild post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk film that basically needs to be seen, and is gloriously restored by Arrow Video.
He Came from the Swamp – The Films of William Grefe
This has been an insane year for comprehensive releases. First we get an Al Adamson box set that can’t fit on one’s shelf from Severin, and we end the year with this wonderfully restored box set of William Grefe films from Arrow Video. This has all of his main feature films like Sting of Death, Naked Zoo, and Mako the Jaws of Death. Between the awesome feature films, and extras this is sure to please fans of Grefe.
Zombie/New York Ripper/House by the Cemetery UHD (Blue Underground)
Blue Underground lead the way on Blu-ray with releases of films like Bird with the Crystal Plumage and Fire and Ice, and they appear to be ready to pioneer with their releases on UHD. Leading the charge are 3 most-deserving Fulci titles, Zombie, New York Ripper, and House by the Cemetery, all taken from recent remasters of the film, but vastly improved upon with the new format, and packed with extras.
Daughters of Darkness UHD (Blue Underground)
This, however, might be the crown jewel of Blue Underground’s recent release slate. Daughters of Darkness has never had a scan of it’s original negative, and now it’s been found, scanned in 4k and restored in glorious quality. I dare say that even if you already own a Blu-ray of the film, this automatically is a must own if you are a fan of this film.
Beastmaster UHD (Vinegar Syndrome)
Don Coscarelli’s Beastmaster has been oddly neglected on home video. It’s strange, because I remember this one always being relatively popular as a rental back in the VHS days, and it seems like that didn’t exactly translate to Blu-ray and DVD. Umbrella Entertainment put a decent, but unremarkable Blu-ray of the film out a few years back, but this here is the real deal. Using original materials Vinegar Syndrome have gone back and giving this the glorious 4k treatment with a special edition like no other. If you are even the tiniest bit of a fan of this film and are 4K capable you are going to need this.
Cemetery of Terror/Don’t Panic/Grave Robbers (Vinegar Syndrome)
Mexican Horror hasn’t gotten a lot (or any really) releases on Blu-ray until now. In the last 3 months of 2020 Vinegar Syndrome have dived into the work of Ruben Galindo Jr. with 3 of his most popular horror films Don’t Panic, Cemetery of Terror, and Grave Robbers. All of them are off the wall, totally fun, well-restored, and loaded with extras. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ACROSS THE BOARD. You will need these.
Killing Birds (Vinegar Syndrome)
Back in my younger, dumber days, I used to really dislike the late 80’s Italian horrors like Killing Birds. Things have changed and these are films I frequently rewatch for fun now, and Killing Birds (aka Zombi 5) is the last of the pseudo Zombi sequels that needed to hit Blu-ray. Fortunately, Vinegar Syndrome stepped up to the plate, and knocked this one out of the park. This one has solid extras, but in my eyes the transfer is the main thing to look for here. Vinegar Syndrome’s stupendous restoration work has really brought the visuals in Killing Birds out like NEVER before. If you disregarded this one in the past, this is the time to revisit.
The Alfred Hitchcock Classics Collection (Universal)
I feel like this collection is a bite-sized UHD teaser for the inevitably Universal Hitchcock box set to come. Regardless for those early adopters of 4k disc you get 4 of Hitch’s best known American films Psycho, Rear Window, Vertigo, and The Birds in one nicely restored package. I can’t help but recommend this one.
The Godfather – Coda – The Death of Michael Corleone (Paramount)
Francis Ford Coppola has spent the last few years going back and recutting some of his films from Apocalypse Now to the Cotton Club. Now the maligned Godfather 3 gets a turn, and you know what? I think it works. Sophia Coppola’s performance is still quite wooden, but there is less of it, and the denouement is not quite what it was, but overall going back to this film I found myself enjoying it much more than in the past. Some elements still don’t make sense, but then again so does life. I do recommend this one highly.
The Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Trilogies (Warner Brothers)
OK, so as this is the holiday season these are sort of a must for the 4K enthusiast in your life. Full on 4K box sets for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Trilogies, and while obviously the Hobbit films are considered lesser in comparison, the LOTR films certainly hold up to many repeat viewings, and look gorgeous in these new 4K editions.
Requiem for a Dream (Lionsgate)
Not my favorite film by Darren Aronofsky (that would go to Pi), Requiem for a Dream is a devastating depiction of drug addiction and how it tears family and friends apart. It is based on the acclaimed book by Hubert Selby Jr. and is now on gloriously restored 4K, if you’re the type that can do with a rewatch, this is the way to do it.
Total Recall (Lionsgate)
I honestly don’t know how many times I’ll end up owning Paul Verhoeven’s stuff on physical media, but I suspect it’s in the realm of “put it out, and I’ll take it”. Total Recall is Verhoeven’s 1989 Arnold Schwarzenegger sci-fi action epic that looks more vivid and detailed (And thus more awesome) then ever before.
Blade (Lionsgate)
A pre-cursor to the MCU. The Wesley Snipes starring Blade is probably one of the most successful Marvel Comics films before the MCU existed (alongside Sam Raimi’s first 2 Spider-Man films). The new 4K release adapts the film for UHD with startling results, I only wish they’d put the whole trilogy out at once (especially Guillermo Del Toro’s Blade II).
Top Gun (Paramount)
OK, so I have to admit something. I’ve played the Top Gun NES game. I’ve even played Top Gun the Second Mission, but aside from watching maybe 10 minute of Top Gun in the back of a friends Dad’s Limo (they owned a Limo service in the 80’s) I have never ever seen Top Gun until this 4K disc landed on my door step. I guess that’s something as the sequel Top Gun Maverick is heading our way…sometime when this pandemic is over, or before. I can say though, the first 10 minutes (and probably the 100 after) look infinitely better in 4k then on that tiny limo TV screen. It’s also a steelbook edition.
Beverly Hills Cop (Paramount)
Eddie Murphy was already a pretty big name on the back of his SNL run, and his comedy specials. He had done movies like Walter Hill’s EXCELLENT 48 Hours (We need that on 4k STAT). But Beverly Hills Cop propelled Murphy into superstardom like nothing else. This new 4K release (again just the first film, but none of the sequels, then again we can leave 3 in the cinematic dustbin) looks outstandingg and offers a quality upgrade
Glengarry Glen Ross (Shout! Factory)
Shout! Select has put out this wonderful David Mamet scripted film about real estate agents trying to make sales across 2 days. The concept might seem dull, but Mamet’s dialogue coupled with amazing performances by the cast which include Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, and Alec Baldwin have turned this into a classic. The Blu-ray edition is a must own.
Gretel and Hansel (Warner Brothers)
Director Oz Perkins is three for three with me. After the double whammy of The Blackcoat’s Daughter (2015) and I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016), I was ready for damn near anything he could throw at my eyes. Gretel and Hansel (2020) did not disappoint in the least. It delivers a fairy tale strangeness laced with dread and wallop of beautiful horror.
Rambo – The Complete Steelbook Collection (UHD, Lionsgate)
OK, so this one is simple. It’s all 5 Rambo films on UHD in steelbooks and it looks damn sexy. The only negative is the uncut 5th film (Last Blood) is not included. Which OK, that sucks, but everything else about this set is AMAZING, and is sort of the perfect gift for the action loving 4K lover in your life.
Steven Universe – Complete Collection DVD
OK, so Steven Universe is one of the best American animated series of the 2010’s. It needed a strong physical release, and this year just in time for the holidays, it got a very sleek and sexy looking box set.
ON DVD.
Look, if you’re a Steven Universe fan like I am you’re going to want this on your shelf. It contains every season of the show, the movie, and the Future epilogue series. But with most people having 1080p TVs and a push toward 4k sets, one has to wonder what logic there is to put stuff out on a format that is essentially 2 formats obsolete. Again, it’s comprehensive, but it’s on the wrong format. This needed a minimum Blu-ray release and it got this. If you’re a huge fan, get it, but I’d start demanding CN get this to Blu-ray.
Schitt’s Creek (Lionsgate)
And continuing on. Schitt’s Creek winner of 9 Primetime Emmy’s and is a very modern show which just concluded it’s run. It was shot in HD, and is getting an obsolete format release on DVD, instead of Blu-ray. It’s probably streaming in HD, it probably has a wide enough audience to sell a Blu-ray to. Still I’m sure the large fan base for this one is certainly going to want to snatch this up in case it gets pulled from streaming services.
Northern Exposure (Complete Series, Shout Factory)
OK, so if you read this thing top to bottom, you’ll notice I have a thing about DVD at this point. I understand not every TV show is going to get scanned in HD though to be fair most modern shows are shot in HD formats), however I just don’t see the point in putting shows out on DVD that could be put out on SD Blu-ray with less compression and possibly less discs with better sound mixes, but here we are again. Northern Exposure – The Complete Series takes the 110 episode run of the show put it in to a 26 DVD box set adds some extras, and has it ready for the willing and waiting Northern Exposure fans on your shopping list (or yourself)
Mission Impossible – The Original TV Series (Blu-ray)
Now here we go, CBS has put out Mission Impossible – The whole original TV series. I love a good restoration of classic film and TV content and CBS over the years has done exceptional work with the likes of I Love Lucy, the Honeymooners, and Star Trek. Mission Impossible is no exception, and looks fantastic across all 7 seasons. If you are a long-time fan or just have seen the movies, check these out to see where it all began.
Game of Thrones (Complete Series UHD, HBO)
Game of Thrones was the hit adaptation of George R.R. Martin’s fantasy series of books (well it was adapting them until they ran out). I am one viewer that was satisfied with the ending, but highly disappointed in the streaming visuals especially during the last season. This UHD set has fixed that by releasing the complete series in uncompressed high-bit rate 4k. This show has never looked so good, and if you want to revisit this is the best way to do it.
The Good Place is a 53 episode, 4 season sitcom that co-stars Veronica Mars’ Kristen Bell with Cheers’ Ted Danson. The show’s premise sees Bell in an afterlife she has not earned, as she is in the Good Place, and should most definitely not be there. Hijinks ensue, and you should check it out on this Blu-ray edition from Shout! Factory made available in the run up to the holidays this year.
Adventures in the B-Movie Trade by Brian Trenchard-Smith
Brian Trenchard-Smith is probably one of the most entertaining and consistent directors in the last 50 years. His early films like Stunt Rock, Man from Hong Kong, Turkey Shoot, The Quest, etc are long time favorites and endlessly rewatchable. In 2020, he put out a book chronicling his career, and it is definitely a must read for fans of the director and cult cinema in general.
Wheel of Time Premium Collection 3, 4, 5
The Wheel of Time is probably one of the most popular fantasy series of all-time. It was started by Robert Jordan in the late 80’s and concluded after Jordan’s death by Brandan Sanderson (Mistborn). In the last year TOR has put out premium paperbacks of the series in box set form, and this year put out the final 3. As I’ve never read these it was a great way to catch-up, and I highly recommend picking these up.
Stormlight Archives Collection 1
Speaking of Brandon Sanderson this collection puts together the first 3 books in his Stormlight Archives series, unfortunately, not the premium editions that WoT got, but still a nice way to start a collection
Icewind Dale/Curse of Strahd – Revamped
Wizard’s of the Coast latest Dungeons and Dragons 5E campaign was Icewind Dale Rime of the Frostmaiden. Set in the world of Icewind Dale this is a glorious longform adventure that combines horror with the fantastic, and has been an absolute blast to run.
Curse of Strahd Revamped is an updated special edition of Curse of Strahd that fixes some of the more problematic elements of the original, while giving it an epic packaging job and some amazing extras. Both are easy to recommend to the D&D player in your life.
Disheveled Cuss (Sargent House)
While my beloved Tera Melos is on hiatus, this gave guitarist Nick Reinhart the opportunity to make his dream album. Disheveled Cuss is a gorgeous rock album laced with depressing lyrics and pop hooks by way of Weezer, The Pixies, and Polaris. While less insanely dense than the songwriting he does in Tera Melos, Reinhart can’t resist sneaking in the wild riffs and bizarre tangents that he’s become known for. I highly recommend this gem of a record.