This listing is for the standard edition Blu-ray. The limited edition slipcover was limited to 1,000 units and is sold out. The two versions are identical, aside from the slipcover.
From arthouse to Canuxploitation, Canadian International Pictures (CIP) is devoted to resurrecting vital, distinctive, and overlooked triumphs of Canadian cinema. This label is focused on the country’s original cinematic boom years – spanning the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s – occasionally venturing past that period (and the country’s borders) to highlight the films of Canada’s most inspired actors and filmmakers. Vinegar Syndrome’s sister company, OCN Distribution, is thrilled to be representing CIP's brand new line of home video releases!
A rock n' road movie about a girl who learns to drive
At loose ends with life in Toronto, Ramona (Highway 61’s Valerie Buhagiar) is abruptly dispatched to the wilds of Northern Ontario by her mercenary record promotor boss (eXistenZ's Gerry Quigley) to retrieve The Children of Paradise, a wayward rock band that has disappeared mid-tour. There’s only one problem: she doesn’t know how to drive. Armed with only a Walkman and the clothes on her back, she embarks on a journey that quickly introduces her to a cavalcade of oddball characters, including a cab driver with ties to Elvis, a film director in search of a muse, a singer who’s lost his voice, and an aspiring serial killer (Last Night’s Don McKellar) determined to make it big. With the help of this motley crew, Ramona hopes to push beyond her limits and mount a rock n' roll show for the ages.
One of the defining films of the Toronto New Wave, Roadkill immediately turned heads in 1989 with its freewheeling punk rock style – and a memorable appearance by the one and only Joey Ramone – launching the careers of director Bruce McDonald (Pontypool), star Buhagiar, and co-star/screenwriter McKellar in the process. Boasting a now-legendary soundtrack full of local talent (and the Ramones), this first installment in McDonald’s iconic road movie trilogy (which also includes Highway 61 and Hard Core Logo) is a wickedly funny and enduringly hip DIY joyride. Buckle up!
directed by: Bruce McDonald
starring: Valerie Buhagiar, Don McKellar, Bruce McDonald, Larry Hudson, Shaun Bowring, Gerry Quigley, Mark Tarantino, Joey Ramone
1989 / 85 min / 1.37:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
Overall rating: 4.7171717 / 5 from 99 reviews.
Roadkill, a Blu-ray release from Canadian International Pictures, offers a restored visual experience with an energetic soundtrack. Customers praise the film's unique style and engaging characters, making it a standout in the Canadian International Pictures label. The release includes new interviews and bonus features, enhancing the viewing experience.
Review topics: ["looks","style","packaging","buy","sound","work","film","movie","release","flick","soundtrack","characters","slipcover","music","booklet","road","logo","women","interviews","restoration","cinematography","cameo","artwork","charm","disc","cast","blu-ray","cinema","pacing","filmmakers"].
"This road is a trip. I enjoyed other Bruce McDonald Hard Core Logo and Pontypool. Joey Ramone having a bit part in this sealed the blind buy for me. There are a slew of awesome special features, cool interviews. The film looks and sounds great! A++ 10/10"
"Looks fantastic and with a plethora of extras. Love it!"
"Movie: This took awhile to get going for me, but by the end I was having a pretty good time. We love to see a movie where a critical part of an adult woman finding herself is having sex with a teenage boy. The soundtrack is very good, the B&W cinematography works well, and I enjoyed the surreal parade of events. The ending didn't entirely land for me, and I'm sure I would've gotten more out of this if I were Canadian, but overall solid. Extras: Packed with a great amount of extras. The interviews all come together to give you a really solid picture of the way the movie came together. Also always nice to have the trailer. Book: Nice essay with more background on the relevant Canadian film scene. Packaging: Bonus points for reversible cover. The slipcover especially is really well designed, and the B&W matches the movie as well as looking distinctive."
"This was a lot of fun!"
"Roadkill is a Canadian dark comedy-thriller film directed by Bruce McDonald. Itfollows Ramona, a hitchhiker who becomes embroiled in a series of misadventures. Along the way, she meets various eccentric characters, including a punk rock band. Identity, freedom, and the open road with blend of humor, music, and offbeat style, showcasing Bruce McDonald's unique directorial voice. The cinematography is one of the best I've ever seen in these partner label movies. The bluray contains infinite bonus features and a very informative booklet. TOP 10 of the year."
"From Canadian cult film auteur Bruce McDonald (Hardcore Logo) comes a fantastic black and white road movie full of punk rock and quirky characters. I love 80s b&w cinema, like RADIO ON or Jim Jarmusch's early works, so this right up my alley. Add Joey Ramone in a cameo and I'm in love. The restoration is incredible and there's a ton of newly produced extras. Unfortunately I missed the original slipcover, but the artwork on the Standard is very good as well and the booklet is also included here too."
"Great Canadian thriller with a sweet soundtrack."
"Cool indie flick with punk energy. Wouldn't have known about without disc."
"Didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped."
"ROADKILL is a 9/10 for me. The disc looks great, chock full of background information. More than anything, I love the non-mumblecore hang-outs, the pre-uber-self-reflexivity of later films of a similar type & that despite McDonald going all over the place, it always feels cinematic."
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