In the past few years, I somehow had run across Vinegar Syndrome, most likely in a Facebook movie group or the like. I was opened up to a whole new bunch of releases of old and cheesy movies I had never heard of!
I've seen snatched up interesting looking films when money permits from AGFA/Bleeding Skull, Vinegar Syndrome, Severin, Arrow, Synapse etc. Each with their own flavor and distinct style and artwork.
Some people really fiend over the slip covers, which in hindsight is actually reminiscent of trading cards from my childhood. Personally I don't have a desire to collect limited edition cardboard, but to each their own. I am more of a movie watcher who appreciates the moment and the (usual) goofiness that goes along with the film.
It's become more and more interesting to me to find hidden gems and B movies from the 80's and early 90's that I have never heard of, more so than any new big budget Hollywood blockbuster that has come a long in years past. Besides Fury Road that is!
Some of my favorites from each label are:
Vinegar Syndrome: Penitentiary 1 and 2, Unmasked Part 25 and Beyond the Door 3
Severin: Revenge of the Living Dead Girls and Paganini Horror.
Synapse: Frankenhooker, Popcorn, and the Maniac Cop trilogy.
Code Red/Dark Force: Freeway 2 and Savage Streets.
It's really fun for me to dig into these very obscure releases, almost like finding buried treasure, but watchable buried treasure. Do you guys have any favorites from the boutique labels you would like to recommend?