Vinegar Syndrome Film Archive Presents: Reviver 2 (Blu-ray Review)
Director
UnknownRelease Date(s)
Unknown (March 31, 2026)Studio(s)
Unknown (Reviver/Vinegar Syndrome)- Film/Program Grade: A
- Video Grade: A
- Audio Grade: A
- Extras Grade: A
Review
This is a really fun release, and I think the less said about it, the better. But I’ll try and make my case. Some of my most favorite film experiences have been movie nights curated by friends involving movies I hadn’t seen before. Going in blind, just knowing how excited the friend who did the picking is before the “show” really makes for a wonderful time. And that’s what this particular series feels like for me. Clearly, Vinegar Syndrome is excited because they are charging money for this, so that’s standing behind it being a worthwhile experience in my eyes. Or it better be. Then again, the sales for these Reviver releases (so far there are just two, and I’m looking forward to Three) fund VS’s archival expenses and archive maintenance—so that’s pretty worth it by itself.
When I got my list of available titles to review, this was sitting there as Reviver Two. I asked myself, what the hell is that, are Bill and Tim messing with me? So I looked it up. Not much is out there outside or a forum mention here or there and the Vinegar Syndrome website is all vague and mysterious about it. And so, I picked it. Challenge accepted, The Digital Bits. And I’m very glad I did. So, what is it? It’s two movies, both never seen by anyone living in the world currently not currently involved with its release. Two lost American-Filipino co-pro genre flicks, and when you pop the disc in, a menu floats in and you get to choose which one you watch first—“Horror” or “Terror,” and then you get treated to a double feature followed but three informative featurettes illustrating exactly what you just watched. You should note that the “Horror” title is the better of the two but it’s pretty marred by water damage. Interestingly it doesn’t kill the experience and what’s going on, on screen, is immersive enough to make you not care all that much. The “Terror” title is a slow burn, long Twilight Zone-type of film and well worth the watch.
Video quality is very good considering—both films are restored to 4K and look as good as they can or ever will. Sound is a nice DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 and does the job. As I said, there are three well done featurettes—Keeping the Art Going is about the man (and his son who keeps his legacy) who saved these films and has worked with Vinegar Syndrome (and Grindhouse!) on several other projects in the past, with more to come apparently. Pictures From Beyond features a historian who discusses how these films were made with some cool history about the filmmakers and cast, and then there is Winding Through... about the restoration, hosted by the curator of the Reviver line, Oscar Becher. Thankfully it’s not too late to see these curiosities and there seems to be some copies of the limited edition on the Vinegar Syndrome website, so if you have an adventurous spirit, maybe do what I did and accept the challenge.
- Todd Doogan