While looking for a pair of cheap sunglasses and a velour leisure suit down in Santee Alley, I ran across a man in the middle of the street selling a pile of Hostel: Part II DVDs.

I asked him how it was already on bootleg, and we got in a small argument about the film's release date. After a fifteen-minute squabble, I purchased the disc for five dollars. The back of the case had the description for the first Hostel film. I thought I might have been hornswoggled.

Upon home inspection of the DVD, all I can say is that the studio rep who's name is watermarked on the video is going to be in a lot of trouble. (Update: According to the LA Times, the Lionsgate Employee has not been acused of any wrong doing.)

The flawless studio quality version contained on the five dollar disc is indeed Hostel: Part II. The words "AK-Bigel Entertainment Property of Screen Gems" obscure the lower portion of the screen, but other than that it is of superior quality.

This is a real shame, and could possibly hurt Hostel: Part II's opening weekend numbers. This is Lionsgate's tentpole film of the summer.

Even though I have the DVD, I will probably destroy it and watch the film at a theater. Most likely the Drive-in. Or, maybe I'll take the disc to Eli Roth when I meet him at the junket.

Hostel: Part II opens on June 8th.

Hostel: Part II was released June 8th, 2007 and stars Lauren German, Roger Bart, Heather Matarazzo, Bijou Phillips, Richard Burgi, Vera Jordanova, Jay Hernandez, Jordan Ladd. The film is directed by Eli Roth.