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The 'Burbs is a 1989 USA comedy by Joe Dante.
With Tom Hanks, Bruce Dern and Carrie Fisher.

Cut by the BBFC for a PG rated cinema and VHS release. Uncut for DVD but with a 12 rating. Uncut and PG rated in the US.

UK: Passed 12 uncut for moderate violence

• 2016 Fabulous R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 28th March 2016

Reviews

• See review from starburstmagazine.com : " Dante's film seems to be more relevant now, in these days of Donald Trump driven hysteria "
• See review from entertainment-focus.com : " A weird hybrid film -- part slapstick comedy, part satire, part gothic horror, part thriller "

UK Censorship History

Cut by the BBFC for a PG rated cinema and VHS release. Uncut for DVD but with a 12 rating. Uncut and PG rated in the US.

See further details at Melon Farmers Film Cuts: The 'Burbs

Promotional Material

Tom Hanks portrays suburbanite Ray Peterson, whose plans for a peaceful vacation are disturbed by a creepy new family on the block, in this outrageous suspense-comedy directed by Joe Dante. To the disappointment of his wife Carol (Carrie Fisher), Roy decides to spend a relaxing week at home, and soon gets into trouble with his neighbours-a hefty busybody (Rick Ducommun), a freaked-out ex-soldier (Bruce Dern), and a spacey teenager (Corey Feldman)-as they observe the strange happenings next door at the Klopek s bizarre residence. When the neighbourhood grouch suddenly disappears, the men are convinced the ramshackle house hides some hideous clues. Armed with assault rifles, high-powered binoculars and a shovel, they decide to see for themselves exactly what is going on in the Klopek place. Set in an average neighbourhood that is anything but average, THE BURBS blend slapstick comedy and spine-thrilliing mystery with the type of witty humour that has made Tom Hanks one of today s most popular stars. BONUS MATERIAL TEASER TRAILER

Dune & Blue Velvet Box Set is a double feature by David Lynch
Starring

UK: Passed 12 uncut for:

• 2016 High Fliers [Dune + Blue Velvet] (RB) Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 28th March 2016
• 2016 High Fliers [Dune + Blue Velvet] R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 28th March 2016

There are no censorship issues with this release

Blue Velvet is a 1986 USA crime mystery thriller by David Lynch.
Starring Isabella Rossellini, Kyle MacLachlan and Dennis Hopper.

There are no censorship issues with this film

Dune is a 1984 US Sci-Fi drama by David Lynch
With Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen and Francesca Annis.

BBFC category cuts were required for a PG rated 1984 cinema release. Uncut and 15 rated on UK home video until 2016 when the rating was dropped to 12. Uncut and MPAA PG-13 rated in the US.

Ankara reportedly tried to pressurise Berlin into censorsing a satirical clip aired by German broadcaster NDR earlier this month.

However, the show's producers decided to amplify the message and released English and Turkish subtitled versions of the video criticizing the Turkish President.

Following the broadcast of the satirical piece titled Erdowie, Erdowo, Erdogan on an NDR show titled Extra 3 on March 17, German Ambassador Martin Erdmann was summoned several days later to officially explain in length the reasons for the broadcaster's behavior. An anonymous Turkish diplomat told AFP:

We demanded that the programme be deleted.

On Tuesday, the Foreign Office in Berlin said that Erdmann has been called in once again. However, during the meeting the German ambassador made it clear to the Turkish side that Germany is home to freedom of speech which it will protect. Erdmann said:

The rule of law, the independence of the judiciary and the protection of fundamental freedoms, including press freedom... need to be protected.

In the meantime, Extra 3 went out on a full-blown offensive against Erdogan's demand. The program's Facebook page shared an image of the request to stop showing the clip under the caption: Erdogan's idea of 'TV on demand' .

The satirical piece about The big boss from Bosporus, who is ripe for his great Ottoman Empire, starts off with criticizing Erdogan crackdown on freedom of speech. Erdogan is also criticized for the alleged shuffling of the electorate votes and cracking down on women.

The controversy inevitably added to the popularity of the video, with the English version of the video on YouTube receiving over 1.7 million views in less than 24 hours after the news first emerged of Ankara summoning the German Ambassador.

Update: Unappreciated censorship

31st March 2016. See  article from rt.com

European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker has criticized Ankara's reaction to a satirical clip about President Recep Tayyip Erdogan broadcast on German TV. Commission spokeswoman Mina Andreeva said:

The EU chief does not approve of [Ankara's] decision to summon Germany's envoy just over a satirical song. He believes this moves Turkey away from the EU rather than brings it closer to us.

She quoted the Commission chief as saying that Turkey's reaction:

Doesn't seem to be in line with upholding the freedom of the press and freedom of expression, which are values the EU cherishes a lot .

The City of the Dead is a 1960 UK horror mystery thriller by John Llewellyn Moxey (as John Moxey).
Starring Patricia Jessel, Dennis Lotis and Christopher Lee.

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2016 VCI Entertainment [Extended + US Version] R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon released on 29th March 2016

Reviews

• See review from mcbastardsmausoleum.blogspot.com : " Including two minutes of additional blasphemy which had been cut from the truncated U.S. version, which can also be found on this disc "

Versions

Exists as the Extended Original Version and a cut US Version.

See further details at Melon Farmers Film Cuts: The City of the Dead

Promotional Material

This classic of British horror has been painstakingly restored by VCI (with the cooperation of the British Film Institute) and is now complete and uncut; including more than 2 minutes of additional footage, which had been cut from the U.S. version, titled Horror Hotel. This also marks the first time ever this uncut version has been seen on video with its original title. THE CITY OF THE DEAD is an extraordinarily good chiller scripted by George Baxt, which still has the power to frighten fans of the horror genre.

A college student, Nan Barlow is researching the history of witchcraft. Taunted by her brother and fiancé, who have voiced their concern over her silly notions, Nan arms herself with resolve and drives into the small New England village of Whitewood. She is glad that at least she was able to count on the support of her professor. A bit anxious, but consumed with curiosity, she will soon embark herself on the journey of her life!

The Sicilian is a 1987 USA action crime drama by Michael Cimino.
Starring Christopher Lambert, Terence Stamp and Joss Ackland.

US: The Director's Cut is MPAA R rated for:

• 2016 Shout! Factory (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon released on 29th March 2016

Versions

Available as a Director's Cut and a shortened US Version.

Summary Notes

Giuliano robs from the rich conservative landowners to give to the poor, serf-like peasants, who in turn hail him as their savior. As his popularity grows, so does his ego, and he eventually thinks he is above the power of his backer, Mafia Don Masino Croce. The Don, in turn, sets out to kill the upstart by convincing his cousin and closest advisor Pissciota to assassinate him

Secondhand Lions is a 2003 USA family comedy drama by Tim McCanlies.
Starring Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine and Robert Duvall.

BBFC category cuts were required for a PG rated 2003 cinema release. Uncut and 12 rated on home video. Uncut and MPAA PG rated in the US.

Summary Notes

A boy named Walter is dropped by his mother Mae at his great-uncles' house. Later,Walter will find out his great-uncles' big secret. And rumors say that Hub & Garth, Walter's great uncles, have stolen much gold & money. (some

 say they stole it from Al Capone) Did they really steal that money or not?

See video from YouTube

Girls of Shame is a 1969 UK crime drama by Robert Hartford-Davis.
Starring Madeleine Hinde, Renée Asherson and Dennis Waterman.

UK: Passed 18 uncut for:

• 2016 Screenbound Pictures R0 DVD at UK Amazon released on 21st March 2016

UK Censorship History

Cut by the BBFC for the X rated 1969 cinema release. Probably the same version released on 2008 and 2016 18 rated DVD.

Promotional Material

Nicki is a teenager trapped in a nightmare of sex and violence - a schoolgirl haunted by her guilt at the recurring horror of her father's death at a fairground; and in her innocence she is abused by her mother's lover before wreaking her revenge against him. Sent to a remand home for girls for this attack she is the target for both male and female seduction. Will anyone help Nicki escape this girl's dormitory of lesbianism, violence and orgies? She was a nice girl - and that was the most disturbing thing about her... Superb British cast of Dennis Waterman, Patrick Mower,Maureen Lipman, Derek Fowlds and Lesley-Anne Down. Directed by Robert Hartford Davis.

Sex Murder Art: The Films Of Jorg Buttgereit is a set consisting of:

• NEKRomantik
• Der Todesking
• NEKRomantik 2
• Schramm

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2016 Cult Epics [Sex Murder Art] (RA) Blu-ray at US Amazon released on 12th April 2016

Nekromantik is a 1987 West Germany horror by Jörg Buttgereit.
With Bernd Daktari Lorenz, Beatrice Manowski and Harald Lundt.

Not released in the UK for fear of censorship from 1987-2014. Passed 18 uncut for DVD in May 2014.

The promotional material suggests another version of NEKRomantik but I haven't come across this before

The Death King is a 1990 West Germany horror drama by Jörg Buttgereit.
Starring Hermann Kopp, Heinrich Ebber and Michael Krause.

Pre-cut for UK VHS. Uncut in the US.

Nekromantik 2 is a 1991 Germany horror by Jörg Buttgereit.
Starring Monika M, Mark Reeder and Lena Braun.

Not released in the UK for fear of censorship from 1991-2015. Passed 18 uncut for DVD in August 2015.

Schramm: Into the Mind of a Serial Killer is a 1993 Germany horror by Jörg Buttgereit.
Starring Florian Koerner von Gustorf, Monika M and Micha Brendel.

Yet to be released in the UK, initially out of fear of UK censorship, but now just a matter of time.

Promotional Material

Cult Epics presents Sex Murder Art: The Films of Jorg Buttgereit, a collection of his four horror underground films; the necrophilia classics Nekromantik & Nekromantik 2, the death and suicide anthology Der Todesking (The Death King) and the premiere of the serial killer film Schramm on Blu-ray. Includes exclusive Soundtrack CD's of the films and a 40-page booklet containing interviews and photos with Jorg Buttgereit and collaborators. Fully Uncut & Uncensored versions.

Special Features:

• New Director's Approved HD Transfers
• Two versions of Nekromantik
• Exclusive Introductions for each film by Jorg Buttgreit
• Q&A with Jorg Buttgereit
• Audio Commentaries
• The Making Ofs
• Featurettes
• Still Photo Galleries
• Jorg Buttgereit Trailers
• Documentary: Corpse F*****g Art
• Short films: Hot Love, A Moment of Silence at the Grave of Ed Gein, Horror Heaven, Bloody Excess in the Leaders Bunker, My Father
• Music Video: Half Girl by Jorg Buttgereit
• Original Motion Picture Soundtracks
• Live Concert of Nekromantik 2
• BD Exclusive new art design by Silver Ferox
• Exclusive CD Soundtrack of Nekromantik & Der Todesking
• Exclusive CD 2 Soundtrack of Nekromantik 2 & Schramm
• BD Exclusive 40-page perfect-bind booklet with Interviews & exclusive photos

Schramm: Into the Mind of a Serial Killer is a 1993 Germany horror by Jörg Buttgereit.
Starring Florian Koerner von Gustorf, Monika M and Micha Brendel.

US: Uncut and MPAA Unrated for:

• 2016 Cult Epics R0 Blu-ray at US Amazon released on 12th April 2016
• 2016 Cult Epics R0 DVD at US Amazon released on 12th April 2016

Yet to be released in the UK, initially out of fear of UK censorship, but now just a matter of time.

Promotional Material

The story of a deranged serial killer from the director of Nekromantik. Lothar Schramm (Florian Koemer von Gustorf) is dying, face down in a pool of his own blood. Behind his closed eyes, fractured memories repeat themselves. He runs by the sea. He lusts after the whore (Nekromantik 2's Monika M.) across the hall. He staggers through life uncertainly. He kills. Schramm is the story of the notorious Lipstick Killer Lothar Schramm's last days on earth. Revealed in a series of tightly constructed flashbacks, the film offers an unflinching look into the mind of a serial killer. Uncompromising in its depictions of violence and perversion, Schramm is a poetic masterpiece of horror guaranteed to make you squirm.

Cult Epics presents Jorg Buttgereit's last directed horror feature SCHRAMM. Uncut, Uncensored in new High Definition and with new bonus features, including the early horror short films by Jorg Buttgereit.

Special Features:

• New Director's Approved HD Transfer (taken from the original 16mm negative)
• Exclusive Introduction by Jorg Buttgereit
• Audio Commentary by Jorg Buttgereit and writer Franz Rodenkirchen
• Audio Commentary 2 by Actors Florian Koemer von Gustorf and Monika M.
• The Making of Schramm
• Still Photo Gallery
• JB HD Trailers
• Short film: Horror Heaven HD with optional Audio Commentary by Jorg Buttgereit
• Short film: Blutige Exzesse im Fuhrerbunker (Bloody Excess in the Leaders Bunker) HD
• Short film: Mein Papi (My Father)
• Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
• New DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround

Europe's right to be forgotten is a nasty and arbitrary censorship power used to hide internet content such as past criminal history. Many think it tramples on the public's right to know, as quite a few examples have born out.

It seems that France and the EU thinks that such content should be censored worldwide, and have fined Google 100,000 euro for allowing non EU internet viewers to see information censored in the EU.

Since EU laws don't apply elsewhere, Google at first just deleted right to be forgotten requested results from its French domain. However, France pointed out that it would be easy to find the info on a different site and ordered the company to scrub results everywhere. In an attempted compromise, Google started omitting results worldwide as long as it determined, by geolocation, that the search was conducted from within France.

But now EU internet censors have rejected that idea (as it would be easy to get around with a VPN) and fined Google effectively for allowing Americans to see content censored in the EU. Google commented:

We disagree with the [regulator's] assertion that it has the authority to control the content that people can access outside France.

In its ruling, France's CNIL censor says that geolocalizing search results does not give people effective, full protection of their right to be delisted ... accordingly, the CNIL restricted committee pronounced a 100,000 euro fine against Google.

Google plans to appeal the ruling.

The Hunger Games - Complete Collection is a series by Francis Lawrence.
Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.

UK: Passed 12 uncut for:

• 2016 Lions Gate Steelbook RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 21st March 2016
• 2016 Lions Gate RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 21st March 2016
• 2016 Lions Gate R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 21st March 2016

The Hunger Games is a 2012 US Sci-Fi action film by Gary Ross.
With Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth.

Cut in the US for an MPAA PG-13 rating. The BBFC required more extensive cuts for a 12A/12 rated cinema release and DVD. The US version was later passed 15 without BBFC cuts.

See further details at Melon Farmers Film Cuts: Terror

The sequels are uncut

From 31 March 2016, the BBFC will delegate to the Cinema Advertising Association (CAA) the regulation of all cinema advertisements in the UK.

Following a Government consultation, the BBFC and the CAA agreed to end the dual regulation of advertisements shown in UK cinemas. Henceforth, the CAA will assess and classify all cinema advertisements. The BBFC retains its classification role in relation to trailers, public information films, campaigning films and all other theatrical works.

DCMS carried out a public consultation in May 2012 on the future regulation of cinema advertising. At the time, the BBFC and the CAA both classified cinema advertisements. The BBFC and the CAA argued in favour of removing this dual regulation and duplication of responsibility. As a result, the BBFC has stepped back from the day-to-day classification of cinema advertisements and sub-contracted responsibility for classifying such advertisements to the CAA.

In the event of there being any doubt as to whether a particular film should be considered an advertisement, the BBFC shall determine whether such film requires to be classified in accordance with its Classification Guidelines and will inform the CAA accordingly.

a. A pre-roll video ad for the certificate 15 film Paranormal Activity - The Ghost Dimension , seen on 21 October 2015, on the Mail Online website www.dailymail.co.uk, before a clip relating to the boy band One Direction.

b. The same ad was seen on a playlist of pre-selected Disney and music lyric videos accessed via the Vevo app on an Apple TV.

The complainant, who believed the ads appeared before content likely to appeal to children, challenged whether the ads were responsibly targeted. parental controls that could have prevented the ad from being shown were available on the Apple TV device.

ASA Assessment: Complaint not upheld

We understood that the ad was for a certificate 15 film. We noted that the ad contained screams of a young girl who appeared to be possessed, with visuals that suggested supernatural activity and atmospheric music. We considered that the ad was serious in tone and that, while it would not cause fear or distress to older people (including the target demographic of 15- to 24-year-olds), it was unsuitable for display before content under 15s were likely to be watching.

We understood that Paramount Pictures utilised a targeting strategy where the ad was served on music content that had been shown to be popular with 15 to 24-year-olds. Examples of artists used to target consumers included One Direction, Beyonce and Selena Gomez. We noted that the ad was further targeted by only being served to those with an online profile that indicated they were over the age of 15.

We understood that ad (a) appeared before a clip about the popular boyband One Direction. Although we acknowledged that the group were popular with people of various ages, including under 15s, we considered that the Mail Online contained current affairs content that was not likely to appeal to children, and that ad (a) had therefore not been irresponsibly targeted before that clip on the site.

We understood ad (b) was served before videos in a playlist that the complainant had created within her own Apple account. We understood that her playlist was likely to have been targeted because it featured videos by the selected artists and because she was signed into her Apple TV account which indicated she was over 15. We noted that the ad had appeared before videos from artists who would be popular with people of various ages, including under 15s, but that they appealed primarily to the target demographic of 15- to 24-year-olds. As such, we did not consider that the ad was placed within content specifically aimed at children or likely to appeal to them particularly.

For those reasons, we concluded that the ads had not been irresponsibly targeted.

Ghoulies II is a 1988 USA comedy horror by Albert Band.
Starring Damon Martin, Royal Dano and Phil Fondacaro.

UK: The cut US PG-13 Version was passed 15 for strong language, infrequent gory images without BBFC cuts for:

• 2016 101 Films RB Blu-ray at UK Amazon released on 11th April 2016
• 2016 101 Films R2 DVD at UK Amazon released on 11th April 2016

Censorship History

Originally uncut and R rated in the US. This was later replaced by a cut PG-13 version. The BBFC initially made cuts for a 15 rating but later passed the PG-13 version with a 15 rating which restored some of the BBFC cuts.

See further details at Melon Farmers Film Cuts: Ghoulies II

Promotional Material

For the first time available in the UK on Blu-Ray.

The Ghoulies are back and more devilish than ever, as they turn an unsuspecting carnival into a house of pandemonium in this wildly outrageous sequel to the original smash hit to Ghoulies!

Satans Den has received its final warning; either the not-so-creepy House of Horrors spooks-up its act and scares some customers fast or its gateway to hell will be closed for eternity. Just when Larry Prentice (Damon Martin) and his uncle Ned (Royal Dano) think theres not a ghost of a chance that theyll save their show, they get some uninvited visitors to spice things up. The Ghoulies makes Satans Den their home and profits soar as the demonic little creatures wreak havoc on the helpless fairgrounds. So take a ride on the Ghoulie-Go-Round and play some Bumper Ghoulies enjoy yourself because the Ghoulies will always get you in the end!

Ten Years is a 2015 Hong Kong drama by Jevons Au, Chow Kwun-Wai...
Starring Peter Chan, Lau Ho-Chi and Kin-Ping Leung.

Five thought-provoking shorts imagine what Hong Kong will be like ten years from now. In Extras, two genial low-level gangsters are hired to stage an attack, but they're mere sacrificial lambs in a political conspiracy. Rebels strive to preserve destroyed homes and objects as specimens in the mesmerizing Season of the End. In Dialect, a taxi driver struggles to adjust after Putonghua displaces Cantonese as Hong Kong's only official language. Following the death of a leading independence activist, an act of self-immolation outside the British consulate triggers questions and protests in the searing yet moving Self-Immolator. In Local Egg, a grocery shop owner worries about his son's youth guard activities and where to buy eggs after Hong Kong's last chicken farm closes down.

It's the Hong Kong movie that Beijing doesn't want people to see. Made on a shoestring budget, Ten Years became a surprise hit with local audiences for its dystopian view of the former British colony's future under Beijing's rule.

The filmmakers imagine a Hong Kong in which protesters set themselves on fire, political assassinations are used to scare the population into supporting repressive laws and children are enlisted as neighborhood political watchdogs reminiscent of Mao's Red Guards.

The film, an anthology of five short stories, each by a different director, has provoked widespread discussion and raised the ire of Beijing, with China's Communist Party newspaper Global Times denouncing the film as absurd.

It was a hit at the box office, earning more than 6 million Hong Kong dollars ($770,000), or more than 10 times its budget. But it abruptly disappeared from cinemas in January after an eight-week run, leading many to wonder whether pressure from Beijing was responsible. Now the only way to see it is at private screenings at universities and community centers, where it's often followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers.

The film is up for the Best Picture award at the Hong Kong Film Awards. However, the organizers have reportedly indicated the ceremony likely won't be broadcast this year to mainland Chinese audiences by online company Tencent and state-owned China Central Television.