Lionsgate Home Entertainment made a thrilling announcement on August 1 about the return of Vestron Video, the pioneering home video company active between 1981 and 1992. During that time, it owned the Time-Life Video movies, released B movies and films on VHS from the Cannon Films library and distributed other titles as The Movie Store, plus managed the US distribution, marketing and sales of films from VidAmerica. Today, Lionsgate Home Entertainment possesses most of the Vestron Video holdings. With the news came a list of upcoming, out-of-print films set for re-release with a ton of extra features as a part of the Vestron Video Collector’s Series. Today, after much anticipation, its first film, “Chopping Mall” (1986), is available on Blu-ray.
Seeking to boost its security measures, Park Plaza Mall dubs in for Secure-Tronic’s pitch of its new innovative protocols—security shutters on all exits and three advanced robots armed with tasers and tranquilizer guns. The killbots (or so referred to as by the original film title) are designed to detain intruders in the mall proper after hours. However, lightning strikes the mall and destroys the computer control system sending the robots awry. They kill the technicians and the janitor, and venture out to patrol all three floors of the building. Fate has it that some high school kids working at Furniture King stay after their shift and throw a much anticipated party with their girlfriends. The killing spree of the four couples starts when one of the gals sweet talks her boyfriend into running out to the dispenser for some post love-making cigarettes.
This sci-fi horror film mixes a load of action with some amazing effects and sound performances from a cast led by quintessential actress Kelli Maroney. Combined with a choice setting iconic to the 1980s, “Chopping Mall” creates that perfect vibe for lovers of these “B movies” that the decade made so famous. Assured as one of the best that the genre has to offer, it will keep you on the edge of your seat and, at the closing credits, wanting a whole lot more.
Special Features: Includes audio commentaries, memories from the cast and filmmakers, the scoring of the movie, the lost scene, a featurette on the creation of the killbots and more…
**Also available today is “Blood Diner” (1987)—check out these other titles set for release: “Waxwork” (1988) & “Waxwork II: Lost in Time” (1992), “C.H.U.D. II: Bud the C.H.U.D.” (1989) and “Return of the Living Dead 3” (1993)**
