This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!
Details
This listing is for the standard edition 3-disc Blu-ray release. The limited edition slipcase was limited to 2,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the packaging.
The American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) represents the world's largest theatrical catalog of exploitation cinema. Their home video line presents a diverse selection of movies, ranging from new preservations of classics from the vast library of Something Weird to the wildest in shot-on-video (SOV) titles. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing this diverse and unique home video line!
A force of nature since 1985, underground icon Jon Moritsugu—in partnership with wife Amy Davis—creates candy-colored genre riots that feel like NC-17 sitcoms from outer space. Moritsugu's fearless, protopunk deconstructions function as a giant middle finger to everything from racism to gender expectations—while also exploring themes of Asian-American identity. TERMINAL DEGENERATION: THE FILMS OF JON MORITSUGU collects these joyous, trash-art ragers for the first time on widely released home video. From MY DEGENERATION (a DIY answer to BENEATH THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS) to TERMINAL USA (an ultra-90s teen-crime berserker that was funded by PBS), AGFA is honored to present sparkling new restorations of Moritsugu's essential work.
directed by: Jon Moritsugu starring: Various 1987-2013 / 519 min (combined) / 1.33:1, 1.78:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
3-Disc Region Free Blu-ray
English SDH subtitles
Disc 1: MY DEGENERATION (1989) and HIPPY PORN (1991)
Restorations from the original 16mm camera negatives
MY DEGENERATION: Archival commentary with Jon Moritsugu & Amy Davis
Short: LITTLE DEBBIE SNACKWHORE OF NEW YORK CITY (1987)
Note: HIPPY PORN was created by Jon Moritsugu and Jacques Boyreau
Disc 2: TERMINAL USA (1993) and MOD FUCK EXPLOSION (1994)
TERMINAL USA: Restoration from the original 16mm camera negative
Commentary with Jon Moritsugu & Amy Davis, preserved from audio cassette tape
Rough cut
Censored PBS cut
Fantastic Fest Zoom Q&A
MOD FUCK EXPLOSION: Restoration from the original 16mm camera negative with 16mm print inserts
Commentary with Jon Moritsugu & Amy Davis, preserved from audio cassette tape
Commentary with AGFA’s Elizabeth Purchell
Outtakes
Short: CRACK (1999)
Disc 3: FAME WHORE (1997), SCUMROCK (2002) and PIG DEATH MACHINE (2013)
FAME WHORE: Restoration from the original 16mm camera negative
Commentary with Jon Moritsugu & Amy Davis, preserved from audio cassette tape
SCUMROCK: Preservation from BetaSP tape master
Outtakes, auditions, and camera tests
PIG DEATH MACHINE: Preservation from digital master
Booklet with a vintage interview
Overall rating: 4.723757 / 5 from 181 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This Blu-ray box set features a collection of films by Jon Moritsugu, known for his unique and provocative style. Customers praise the restoration quality, the lavish packaging, and the art on the slipcover. The set includes archival commentary tracks and various extras, making it a must-have for fans of underground cinema.
Summary topics
Filmmaker Quality (6%): Customers keep praising the film for being a must-have for fans of underground cinema, and a great introduction to the work of this unique and talented filmmaker.
Restoration Quality (6%): Customers expressed satisfaction with the restoration of the films, praising the great restoration and commentary tracks.
Release Quality (12%): It was noted by customers that the release of AGFA's Terminal Degeneration: The Films of Jon Moritsugu is fabulous and highly recommended.
Box Set Packaging (5%): Customers expressed satisfaction with the box set, describing it as excellent, lavishly packaged, and phenomenal.
Slipcover Art (5%): Customers expressed appreciation for the art on the slipcover, describing it as glorious trash art-punk slackerdom at it's finest.
"The films look great and come with some great special features." — Mark P.
"These films have received wonderful treatment by being given a wonderful restoration and look as good as they ever have." — JON H.
"The packaging is great as well and you really do get so much film for the money." — Hayden C.
Reviews
Great bang for your buck
"Fans of Greg Araki will dig his stuff. Punk as hell!"
— Dylan B. (5/5)
Terminal Degeneration: The Films of Jon Moritsugu
"Great collection"
— Jack H. (5/5)
Props to AGFA for this
"Great package, great extras. You sorta feel like you've been let in on something, watching these. Certain types will realize they could totally just make movies. As for the films, there's not much to say that others haven't. Disc 2 was my favorite, but it was all worthwhile. Also, there's a ton of music in these things."
— Daniel V. (4/5)
Perfectly delivered
"Great price, product and design"
— Frank B. (5/5)
Amazing Collection
"True Punk Rock movie making. A treasure trove of delights and excellent restorations on each film."
— Matthew D. (5/5)
Nice Release
"I waited so long to pull the trigger on this one and it was worth the wait."
— Norberto S. (5/5)
Punk cinema preserved the right way
"Jon Moritsugu’s films are not for the uninitiated — abrasive, punk, trash-glam and proudly antagonistic toward any notion of polished filmmaking. But that is exactly why they matter and why this set is so satisfying: it treats these films not as fringe curiosities but as culturally valuable work worth archiving and re-watching. Seeing them with clean scans and proper authoring gives them a clarity and presence that home-dupe copies never could. For anyone even slightly curious about the American underground of the late 80s–90s, this is an essential document."
— Thomas L. (5/5)
Admirable
"Consider buying"
— Mitchell Y. (4/5)
Sexy
"I peed my phone"
— chris b. (5/5)
King/Queen of the world
"Greatest creative couple this side of Cassevetes/Rowlands! Jon & Amy belong in film schools and film books next to any of the canonized filmmakers! This set gathers near everything and finally the films have been restored to the glory they deserve. Don't miss a single special feature as they're all crucial."
— William M. (5/5)
Q&A
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