Reviews (161)

Smart, scary, and unforgettable.
SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is an amazing film. It operates on three separate levels. On one level it is a story of a filmmaker, F.W. Murnau (John Malkovich), obsessed with his own ambition and vision. He is remaking the Dracula legend, changing the name of the vampire to Count Orlock. His film will be called 'Nosferatu'. He has hired the 'ultimate method actor' named Max Schreck to play his vampire. Schreck is said to get into character and stay there, only wanting to be filmed at night and only responding to the name 'Count Orlock'. But as filming progresses, the truth becomes clearer and clearer... Schreck really IS a vampire, agreeing to star in Murnau's film in exchange for the chance to dine on the leading lady. It's a delicious concept, even more so after you've seen the classic, silent original. It's easier to believe that Schreck was some kind of monster then it was to believe he was simply an actor in makeup. That's how effective Schreck's performance in the 1922 German film is. The second level of the film is more familiar. It is a horror film. It has all the elements of a vampire film and it acts on all of them, actually reaching a degree of creepiness that you wouldn't expect from a film this (excuse the phrase) 'artsy'. And finally, SHADOW OF THE VAMPIRE is a seething satire, one where the lead actor cannabalizes the cast and crew to get what he wants and the director is so focused on his vision that he ignores the fact that the people around him are falling ill, they are merely meat puppets (Hitchcock and Kubrick would have been proud). This is a fun little film, with aspirations towards greatness that it all but reaches. The production design and brilliant cinematography allow for an accurate reproduction of the settings of the 1922 film. So dead-on, in fact, that when actual footage of the silent film is inserted into the film, we can't tell the difference. Director E. Elias Merhige work beautifully with an amazing casy which includes Malkovich, Udo Kier (of 'Andy Warhol's Dracula' fame). Eddie Izzard, Catherine McCormack, Cary Elwes, and Aden Gillett. But the real star here is Willem Dafoe, whose performance of Max Schreck as long suffering and desperate monster is so accutely creepy and inventive that it'll make your skin crawl.

Not as good as it should have been but not bad either
As a couple of others have bravely stated, this movie is just not as good as it should have been. Somewhere during the film, the story gets lost in a big way. I understand what they were trying to say with the ending but the film should have built up to it. As it stands, the ending feels very tacked on and is, therefore, unenjoyable for me.

Having said that, there *are* plenty of enjoyable moments in this film. Willem Dafoe is exquisite. His portrayal of Max Shrek is both comic and very moving. It makes me think of a photograph of the real Max (taken during shooting of "Nosferatu") sitting on a hillside, looking very alone. If you're at all familiar with comedian Eddie Izzard, you'll love his performance as well. He had me in giggling fits (more often than I should have been, I warrant). John Malkovich is John Malkovich, as always. He's very charismatic so I can't say if I was entranced by his performance or by the man himself. I don't think he can be anything other than brillliant, even though I don't think his role was very well written. I don't feel Murnau's character was properly built up. You're left making too many assumptions. There were several times when I couldn't stop wondering what had been left on the editing room floor, and why? I felt that way quite often actually, and not just in regards to Murnau.

The best parts, for me, came when the crew was filming "Nosferatu." Malkovich was most amusing when giving directions to his actors. And it was interesting to watch the actors improvise those moments. But my favourite scene is the one in which Max (Willem) explains to Albin (Udo Kier) & Heinrick (Aden Gillett) why the book "Dracula" made him sad. It starts out very funny but quickly becomes very moving. There's quite a bit of that in the film: comedy to tragedy. Those moments kept me interested but left me desperately wanting a much better written/edited film. I can't help but wonder what got left out due to the project running out of filming time. If more attention had been paid, this could have been a masterpiece.

A film you can't miss.
Before we start, let's talk about the film's plot. This film takes place in 1929, were there filming the classic film, Notferatu(I think that's spelled wrong). The gut has hired a REAL vampire to play the part. What he doesn't know is that the Vampire is really evil and planning to kill the entire cast. I thought this was a great film because it makes you think that this actully happend. Yep not joking, you forget this is just a film some times. I thought Notrferatu was cool in this film. If you liked the classic film Notferatu, you'll like this film!

Why?
Willem Dafoe was great in this film, but that's as far as this good review goes. Maybe, I just didn't "get" what they were trying to do with this film. The story seemed extremely underdeveloped and was very rushed toward the end. Like the entire film crew suddenly realized that they had drug their feet during filming and had 10 minutes to tie it all up. Nosferatu was brilliant, and this almost downplays it's brilliance.

Definitely my Favorite vampire movie!
First of all I must admit I don't much care for most vampire movies -- different reasons for different ones. But this one I just loved! Willem Dafoe was SO camp as the very creepy looking vamp, and you could tell he was enjoying the heck out of his role. That makes it really good, when the actor is really enjoying playing a Creep. Also, the whole storyline and cinematography, other actors, screenplay, everything was just Excellent. I don't give many movies (of any genre) 5 stars, but this one I do. Awesome!! ... Read more

Description

If you think you know the story of the Manson Family, you are dead wrong. Director Jim VanBebber (Deadbeat at Dawn) delivers an uncompromising snapshot of this cult of personality, hell- bent on executing the brutal vision of its leader, Charles Manson. On a ranch outside of LA the dream of the "Love Generation" is perverting into something evil. What was once an oasis of free love and acid trips has become ground zero for a madman’s paranoid visions. An average group of kids, the "Family", become engulfed in a delusional world where torment and slaughter is considered the path to righteousness. The Manson Family is a dizzying, rapid-fire vision of the sex and violence that unifies the misguided group, and at the direction of their leader, ends in a brutal spree leaving seven people dead in a 48 hours. You’ve seen the story through the eyes of the law. Now witness it through the eyes of THE MANSON FAMILY. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Mixed Feelings....
For those out there not overly familiar with the story of Charles Manson, The Manson Family, The Tate & La Bianca murders, or the crazy drug induced summer of 69 at the Spahn ranch; this will no doubt be an entertaining film to watch.

Plentifully filled with lots of sex, nudity, drugs and tons of blood; this film is an artistic representation of one of the most publicized murders and murderous "family" of the last 35 years.

Done in art house style- "The Manson Family" is full of vivid colors and sets, lots of red blood, and lots of imagination. This is one of the most artistically presented horror movies that I have seen come out of the United States in quite some time.

However, having said that, the film is also extremely disturbing for anyone with in depth knowledge of the Tate & La Bianca murders or anyone who has ever felt sympathy for these victims.

This reviewer loves to indulge in the most disturbing of horror. However, just the fact that these were REAL murders, I find it almost insulting that they were recreated in such a fashion. To watch these people die in such vivid detail - with so much blood and with so much "color"; was a little unsettling to say the least. I just couldn't help but feel sorry for anyone who might actually be connected to the victims if they were to ever have to suffer through this film.

When it's gritty, grimy, bloody, shocking and disturbing, fictional horror is at its best.

True life horror movies can be just as enthralling when left in the hands of a capable filmmaker who respects the victims, while at the same time presenting a honest portrait of murder and mayhem.

Although "The Manson Family" is only based on a true story, and does not claim to be a fictional, nor documentary movie- it manages to weasel it's way out of both categories above.

However, this is a true story that is so well documented, and still so prevalent in our media and our culture- that it holds a certain significance with many people (including myself, who's read "Helter Skelter" and "The Family" twice, in addition with seeing the countless other films made about it all).

To see these shocking and real life murders played out in "art house" styl is really an injustice to the actual crimes, victims, and victims' families who are very much alive and well to this day.

"The Manson Family" is a good film, on the basis that you don't know too much about the actual Manson Family History. The more you know, the more respect you lose for Jim Van Bebber's vivid retelling of these murders, and of "The Manson Family" as a film.

I also thought that including Charles Manson's music in the film was downright appalling.

Nobody needs to hear that crap......

I wish it lived up to my expectations
I am facinated with this case because I love American history, and this case is a monument in American True Crime. Based on Amazon ratings, I bought "The Mason Family" and waited for it excitedly. I guess I just wanted a more "fly-on-the-wall" view of the murders. The 2004 TV movie sucked compared the the 1976 one, and I thought this might give a more eye-witness view.
Unfornutaly, I was wrong. There is a very vague, disturbing, real-time story over the actual events, portrayed as a frame story. This outside story is filled with vulgar events that have no bearing on the story we all want to see...the family and the events surrounding the murders. As for the story of the murders, the actors were awful, and the portrayals of the events were way off, if you have researched the case to know what really happened. (Did Abigail Folger get maniacally stabbed in the kitchen, stagger onto the front lawn, and then die?)
I love gore as much as the next person, but this gore was gorey in a comical kind of way. I wanted to be disturbed because the movie took me there. Instead, I felt like I had just read a comic strip about these historic murders.
I was very disappointed by this movie. It was very well done, for an independent filem, Van Bebber. But it didn't reach the level of a person who knows nearly all there is to know about this tragic, facinating story.

Could Have Been Much Better; But Still Not Terrible Either
I watch & read everything I can get my hands on about Charles Manson. Although I might not condone the actions of murder that the Manson Family took part in, I find it to be very interesting to me. This movie is VERY confusing; but just watch it a second time and you will understand it a little better after a second veiwing. You will catch things that you missed before. I own and have read Charlie's autobiography, and I understand him more than the average person. Most look at Charlie as being nothing but a monster, but there is actually a very sensitive and weaker side to the man than most care to look for. I believe that this is the Charlie that this movie was intending to portray, but although he is not 10 foot tall and bulletproof....this movie made Charlie out to be a little feminine, and bubbly man. The actor who portrays Charlie in this movie should not have been chosen. If you are looking for a movie ABOUT Charlie, look elsewhere because he is simply a character in the background in this film. This film focuses more on the other family members, but I understand the reasons for that. Not a terrible movie, however if you are the type of person that sits around watching nothing but blow-em-up action flicks, Matrix type of garbage, comic book movies, or chick flicks....stay away from this film because you will not understand this movie, or enjoy it. I am going to recommend the film "Helter Skelter 2004, Director's Cut" to you all instead. The movie ends too early; but it is a great look into the true events and the way the Manson Family lived. Some say that "Helter Skelter" is all about the way the prosecutor viewed Charlie; and I will say that is true of the original Helter Skelter film of the 70's, starring Steve Railsback as Charlie. The 2004 film is not so much like that. It is not viewed from Vincent Buliosi's point of view, but from Linda Kasabien's, who actually lived amongst the family, and was there the night of the Tate murders. The two "Helter Skelter" movies are more for the person who wants to study and learn more about Charles Manson; whereas "The Manson Family" has a satanic feel all the way through the film. The "gothic" culture seems to view the Manson family that way, and would probably prefer THIS film, but although Charlie led folks to believe he was Christ, the family did not actually live a satanic lifestyle. The murders were only the tail end of the Manson Family's jouney. There was MUCH more in life that they stood for, and murder was not their original intention. Please read the book "Manson-In His Own Words, by Charles Manson & Nuel Emmons". I feel that Jerremy Davies, in this film is the best portrayal of Charles Manson that has ever been performed. But remember, this is just MY opinion. You may feel differently, and I don't tell you NOT to purchase "The Manson Family", because I myself own the 2-disc unrated version. Check it out! You may enjoy it, you may not. But you can't knock something, unless you have seen it for yourself and know what you are talking about. ATWA.

Helter Skelter in a summer swelter
Despite an ultra low budget and no-name cast, this 1996 independent feature from director Jim Van Bebber nonetheless rates as the most chilling and eerily effective dramatized evocation yet of the the Manson "family" and thier shocking 1969 murder spree. Just as in the "Blair Witch Project", the viewer will take away only what they bring with them. If you are a"slasher" fan seeking only the visceral thrill of witnessing a gruesome re-enactment of the Tate-LaBianca slayings, that's exactly what you'll get (and you should seek psychiatric help). If you go in prepared to dismiss this as purely exploitative trash, then, yes, you will find plenty of spurting red Karo syrup and gratuitously naked hippy chicks to shake your head disapprovingly and cluck your tongue over. But if you are open-minded and willing to look just below the surface, you will discover intelligent filmmaking at work. In fact, "The Manson Family" is much less of an "exploitation" film than, say, the higher profile "Natural Born Killers". Oliver Stone has gone to great lengths to convince us that his film was a a misunderstood "media satire", but Van Bebber makes his point much more economically. Several key scenes in "The Manson Family" feature characters literally holding a mirror up to the camera; so perhaps it is not Charles Manson who fascinates us, Van Bebber seems to be saying, but the IDEA of a Charles Manson (or a Hitler, Jim Jones or Osama Bin Laden). What is it, we ask ourselves, that makes an otherwise "normal", intelligent person suddenly drop on all fours and merrily follow such misguided messianics into oblivion? This film comes the closest of any I've ever seen in realistically depicting circumstances that might enable this truly frightening type of transformation. DVD notes: The 2-disc version features an excellent doc with director and actor interviews. Some of the stories regarding on-set occurences will creep you out more than the film itself! Not for the squeamish, but a must-see for fans of fearless filmmaking.

Jim Van Bebber Rocks!
I purchased a copy of The Manson Family and found the film to be breathtaking. Jim Van Bebber delivers the goods. The film is definitely not for the squeamish. However, the violence that is depicted has a purpose and is never gratuitous. It is there for a reason, showing how ugly and terrible the crimes committed by the Family were. I thought it was a nice touch to show the effects that the horrors of the Family could have on the youth of modern times. Although the Neo-Family were a piece of the fictional wrap-around story, they serve as a cautionary reminder to be mindful of what kids are doing. That's what I got out of the film and I look forward to repeat viewings. ... Read more

Reviews (656)

Fear Comes From Inside: Really Scary Film with Stylish Touch
Yesterday, on April 28, we have finally seen the theatrical release of this masterpiece in Japan, and the waiting time was very, very long. But it was worth of our patience. "The Others" is not only a chilling and scary movie; it is crafted with style and intelligence, and it is fantastic to watch the director (who is still below the age of 30!!) create this piece of art.

As you probably have known by now, beautiful Nicole Kidman plays Grace, whose children are allergic to light (and this disaease really exists, you should know). With ritual-like meticulous rules, she manages her household works, employing new servants in a huge, dreary countryhouse, which ever-hanging fogs mystriously surround. But there is (or are), she comes to know, some intruder(s) here, of which existence her children are convinced. And sooner or later, Grace comes to feel that, too.

It is a natural but unfair comparison if you point out that "The Others" resembles at some places a certain Oscar-nominated film, because the director Amenabar does it with completely different touch. I cannot tell you much, but let me say, like Hitchcock's classic "Rebecca," the heroine (and the audience) is lured inexplicably into the mystery of the old house and its past. Also using the classic frameworks of ghost stories used in the original "Haunting" (Robert Wise version, NOT THAT remake), the film makes us jumping in the seats, sending lots of chill in spine, and, moreover, it treats a universal subject of love between mother and children in a subtle fashion. On top of that, the film goes further, to make the mother Grace not exactly an ideal one for kids, and it succeeds eventually in depicting the fraility of humans -- in short, you really don't know what you think you know.

Anchored by strong and believable acting given from underrated Nicole Kidman (why did Oscar ignore her work here, preferring that musical ... well, but all right, I understand), and aided effectively by other well-cast players whose uncanny presence unnerve us greatly, "The Others" will rivet your eyes on the screen, especially when you are a connoisseur of old-fashioned horror film. Keep your eyes open when you see the details of the film: furniture, photoes, everything. Something is wrong with this house, but how and what is not clear. This bizzare sensation is another asset of the film, and you will find what you missed with repeated viewing.

For those who have enjoyed this (and I bet you did), the story is perhaps inspired by Henry James's novella "Turn of the Screw," which deals with the similar situation. You may as well read that equally well-crafted, creepy story.

Trivia: look closely at one of the old photoes of the dead: one of the three men on the bed is director Amenabar himself (and one of the others is Mateo Gil, director of Spanish film "Nadie conoce a nadie" of which music Amenabar composed, and of which star Eduardo Noriega was featured in the two previous Amenabar film in Spain, "Thesis" and "Open Your Eyes." The former one is a must-see for anyone loving blood-curdling thriller. But hey, appearing in a photo? This is exactly what Hitchcock did in one of his earlier films about a life-boat, another masterpiece about the people in a confined place !! Surely Amenabar loves his master.

"Others" Among Us
THE OTHERS is one heck of a ghost story. In the tradition of intellegent films of the genre, such as THE SIXTH SENSE and POLTERGIEST, this movie keeps you on your toes from start to finish. Grace (Nicole Kidman) awaits her husband's return from war. She and her children, who suffer from a rare medical condition, called Xeroderma Pigmentosum, (extreme sensitivity to light) live isolated from the outside world. Then, one day 3 mysterious servants, led by Bertha Mills ( Fionnula Flanagan) arrive at the door...Soon after Grace finds herself struggling to keep her children safe from strange forces as her sanity slowly slips away. This film has all the classic touches that make a good ghost story. Creaking doors, a big house isolated and poorly lit, strange noises and happenings, all helped along by a great performance from Kidman. Written and Directed by
Alejandro Amenábar, the movie is tops, where so many other recent ghost stories have failed, relying to much on dopey effects to push the story ahead (the remake of The Haunting for example).

The 2 disc DVD set is pretty good even though it all could have probably fit on one disc. The features are made up of documentaries and featurettes. The most intriguing of which, is on the aforementioned disorder, seen in the film. The still gallery includes rather typical looking photos from the film. I would have liked for a commentary track, but I know that not every DVD has to have one to be solid. Nicole Kidman makes this film more than just a story about "things that go bunp in the night" Recommended

Very Inteligent Horror Film
Another fantastic example of a new genre of smart, very well written and very well made horror movies. Had this come before Sixth Sense it would deserve a full 5 stars.

"I just feel more and more cut off from the world."
Alejandro Amenabar's "The Others" is a reminder that very good films need not be glitzy or gimmicky. Neither is an excess of special effects or action sequences required. Film is an exercise in storytelling and good films succeed in telling their story well no matter how small and quaint the film may appear to be.

Grace Stewart (Nicole Kidman) and her two children, Nicholas (James Bentley) and Anne (Alakina Mann), live in a manor off the British coast. Three strangers arrive one day in answer to a placed advertisement for domestic help. For some strange reason, the three strangers prove to be familiar with Grace's house. Mrs. Mills (Fionnula Flanagan), Lydia (Elaine Cassidy), and the gardener Mr. Tuttle (Eric Sykes) soon immerse themselves in the daily routine of the manor, but the mood of the house suddenly seems changed with them around. Is there something to the strangers or is Grace's imagination just getting the better of her?

"The Others" revels in its simplicity. This is a film reminiscent of an earlier era in terms of filmmaking craft but it does not at all feel like a time-displaced relic when viewed through the filter of modern sensibilities. A legitimately unsettling atmosphere is created under the deft direction of Amenabar and Kidman is granted a wonderful opportunity to put her acting talents on display. She takes full advantage of her chance to carry a film on her own and succeeds admirably. Kidman is the emotional and dramatic catalyst of the story and the film as a whole would have been far less effective had she faltered. Flanagan, Cassidy, and Sykes are also great as the sweet but creepy strangers. From the outset, we know that there is something amiss by their arrival on the scene but we cannot put our finger on it. A tip of the hat to Amenabar for keeping us in suspense until the very end. Good work all around.

A Wonderful Classy Thrill Ride
Definately one of Nicole's Best Performances this film is gripping anc chilling. The acting is great and the plot takes you for many twists and turns. This reminds me of an Alfred Hitchcock movie and it will definately be remembered. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Wonderfully GREAT MOVIE!!
I FIRST SAW THIS MOVIE ABOUT 10 YRS AGO AND LOVED IT.
I NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT PURCHASING IT UNTIL NOW.
IM SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT PURCHASING IT 4 YEARS AGO
WHEN IT WAS AVAILABLE ON DVD. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE GREAT
HORROR MOVIE CLASSICS LIKE, OMEN , EXORSIST , AND EVIL
DEAD. IT IS A MUST HAVE FOR A HORROR MOVIE FANATIC SUCH AS
MYSELF. I NEVER SAW PARTS 2 AND 3 BUT I AM SO IMPRESSED WITH
PART ONE I PLAN ON PURCHASING THEM BOTH SHOULD THEY COME OUT
ON DVD.

"Run Judy Run!" "See Judy Run!"
Underated B Horror

This is a pretty funny and surprisingly solid B Horror Film. The story is by the numbers, and the acting by now seems a bit dated, but when the fun starts in the house, the film takes a creepy turn.

A group of kids hang out at the abandoned Hull House on Halloween night. Hull House is a house possessed, so the demons that inhabit it are pure evil. They kids have their party until someone decides to play around and summon the demons. And one by one they begin getting posessed by a demonic forces.

It's up to Judy to out live, and out last her demonic attackers.
Amelia Kinkade plays Angela. Watch for her creepy dance sequence. It's pretty memorable and what happens right after elevates Amelia's character, Angela from B Movie character to a horror powerhouse like Freddy and Jason. But unfortunately the 2 sequels that followed are inferior and wound up botching her character. Linnea Quigley does something very interesting with a tube of lipstick. And the gore effects are pretty cool.

It's a solid film that is finally getting the DVD release it deserves. If you are a horror fan you'll be happy to own this little known film. It brings back memories of the golden days, when horror had it's own full fledged section in video stores with hundreds of titles to choose from.

SCARY AS HELL
I AM SO GLAD THIS IS COMING TO DVD. i HAVE WAITED FOR SO LONG. THIS MOVIE IS SCARY AS HELL. TRUST ME. I HOPE IT HAS SOME GREAT EXTRAS TO BACK IT UP.

Night of the demons
Man, im so glad i remembered to do a search for this movie, i already have a sub standard midnite movies release of this film on DVD but the picture transfer is really disappointing as this is a class horror movie from the 80's, fit birds, stupid guys, and some good special fx make this film a cut above the other films of this type. go buy it on anchor bay, i doubt you'll be disappointed.However stay away from part 2, it is absolutely terrible, whilst part 3 tries to be like the original, but doesnt come close.

A True Horror Classic!!!!
I can't say enough good about this movie. Not to be missed. A little cheesy in places but well worth the money. I remember it very fondly and watch it every Halloween. Also has great original songs and the music has finally been released. I am so glad this has finally come to DVD. A MUST HAVE!!!

MikeD. ... Read more

Description

A family inherits an elegant steel-and-glass mansion from a deceased relative. The catch is that along with the house comes a slew of ghosts that can be seen only through special goggles. ... Read more

Reviews (240)

Better than The Haunting remake, but it ain't Haunted Hill.
Okay, Dark Castle's second haunted house thriller wants to be like House on Haunted Hill: big, loud, gory, and lots of fun. Well, it ain't the last one, unfortunately. One of the biggest problems has to be director Steve Beck, who somehow believes camera tricks and hyperkinetic editing will make a movie more exciting. Why couldn't Zemeckis and Silver just re-hire William Malone (who directed HOHH)? Then there's the plot, which piles on one silly plot twist on top of each other until it turns into a convoluted mess at the end that actually rips off Blade and Casper, of all movies!

One of HOHH's best aspects was the unpredictability. It was a bit difficult to figure out who would live and who wouldn't. Well, Thir13een Ghosts is obvious from beginning to end. Tony Shalhoub and Matthew Lillard are likeable in their prominent roles, but everybody else is either flat, wasted, or just plain annoying (mainly the kid).

There are certainly some redeeming factors, however, that make this watchable enough. The ghosts' appearances are ghastly and creepy, and this is the only haunted house film I can think of where the ghosts kill on first sight, rather than toying around with their victims. The production design is quite impressive, but it's never utilized to its full potential, especially when we learn the house's walls are moving around like a Rubik's cube. Believe me, Cube this movie ain't.

There are a few exciting moments, particularly one scene where Lillard is a trapped inside a room with a ghost and he needs someone else to inform him where it is so he can dodge it. But the rest of the movie plainly lacks such inspiration, and more importantly, the sense of sheer, sick fun it wants to achieve. There's a good amount of violence and gore, but almost no suspense. I can only recall two scenes where chills went down my back. There's a lot of potential for a great, big rollercoaster ride of a thriller, but this mostly comes out as wasted material.

If you watch the DVD version, do access the Ghostly Files menu, which gives a narrated tale detailing the ghosts and their lives as humans and how they came to be. Great special feature, and really quite creepy and scary.

Good movie
This is one of my fav movies. Matt Lillard is soooo hot! Why did he have to die? lol. I really love this movie, and some of the ghosts are really cool and creepy. I can watch this movie like 10 times a day! It is so great!

13 Yawns!
This movie was terrible and should be named 13 Yawns. The acting was poor and without substance. Not one person did a good job acting their part.

From the beginning this movie should have been made for the Sci-Fi channel and not the big screen. I forced myself to watch the entire movie to see if it would have any good scenes, but it failed to deliver one.

However, the ghosts were made up very well.

Cliche Scary Movie
When I normally review a movie, I tend to review movies that I liked, but this is an exception.

When I started watching this movie I was more than eager to see how it would turn out; after all, it was written by Robb White, the same person who wrote House on Haunted Hill. But as I emmerced myself in it's "plot" I couldn't help but to notice that it was nothing more than a different version of House on Haunted Hill. However, unlike House on Haunted Hill, this movie tends to lack substance. Sure, it had a concept behind it, but a bleak one at that.

By the end of the movie I was highly dissatisfied at it's lack of a thicker plot. It left me empty and wanting more insight to the story. I won't put any detail in my review about the actual plot as it would spoil it for those that _might_ actually want to see it.

I apologize to those that thought this movie deserves 5 stars, but it truly doesn't.

A very good scary movie
First off, I agree with the notion that sometimes the older versions are better than the remakes, but in this case I have to disagree. I saw this version first and then we decided to see the older one. But, the older one was just pathetic--it was worse than a student film. I was not even disturbed at any point during the original--in fact, I was laughing and rolling my eyes through most of it. It was just that stupid. But this remake is tons better--this is one of the few movies I can't watch after a certain point, otherwise I'll be up the rest of the night.

The special effects are rather gory and sometimes the writers make the plot stretch a little, but neither of these really hurt the movie. In fact, the special effects make it that much scarier.

I enjoyed this remake. I think that if you haven't seen it yet, you should at least give it a try and make up your own mind about it. ... Read more

Reviews (519)

The most fun movie ever made about serial decapitation.
Visually stunning, deliciously creepy and loads of fun, Tim Burton and Andrew Kevin Walker's adaptation of "Sleepy Hollow" is a spooky treat. Squeamish detective Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate a strange, gruesome series of murders. There, he must pit his scientific methods and cool rationalism against a foe who may not be of this earth.

Burton seems to be having the time of his life amid the gloomy, fog-shrouded forests of Sleepy Hollow; his trademark giddy weirdness is benefitted here by absolutely breathtaking cinematography and production design. Christina Ricci, usually a spirited actress, seems a little out of it as Katrina Von Tassel (perhaps her corset was too tight?) Johnny Depp delightfully plays against type as a sissy-boy hero who faints at spiders, backed up well by Marc Pickering as his plucky sidekick. The Horseman is also great fun as a villain. Headless, he's played by Ray Park with the same vicious swagger Park gave Darth Maul. Christopher Walken, playing the headed version, sports a white fright wig and teeth you've got to see to believe. Watch also for great cameos by the likes of Martin Landau and ex-Dracula Christopher Lee.

The action is spirited, the atmosphere creepy and absorbing. The graphic gore is mostly over-the-top silly, but is also treated with sensitivity and restraint when it needs to be. If you're looking for a fun action movie with atmosphere and eye candy to spare, "Sleepy Hollow" should be your destination.

Tim Burton's finest
It's been a long time since Tim Burton has actually directed a film that was successful, with disasterous hits like Mars Attacks! and Ed Wood, I was suprised that Paramount would let him make a production with such a huge budget. Sleepy Hollow is an extremely well made film, the set pieces are hauntingly beautiful, good special effects, a film score by Danny Elfman, and a long list of first rate actors. It's one of those movies that takes you on an adventure(something that I havent experienced in a while, going to the movies)This is a very uncommon film; Extremely inventive, a work of art, and also has a good story. Johnny Depp plays a variation on Ichabod Crane, Christina Ricci plays young Katrina Van Tassel, along with Christopher Walken, Christopher Lee, Miranda Richardson, Ian McDiarmid, and Casper Van Dein. It has splashes of violence, dark humour, gore, drama, and suspence. What more can you ask in a film? Buy this movie and you wont be dissapointed. It's rated R for gore and a scene of sexuality, but nothing that should frighten the kids, I personally think it should have received a PG-13 rating due to the absence of profanity, nudity, or drug content. Besides it is a classic novel by Irving Washington this is an American Folk Tale that I think shouldn't of been taped with an R rating (such a harsh rating for a movie based on a fairy tale). It is rated PG-14 in canada though so dont let your teenagers miss out on this one.

another good film by tim burton.but it has NO child like sid
you know the drill on this one i hope.the story is way off,but the movie is quite good anyway.johnny depp is the star,ichabod crane.this is his best movie.the kids will get scared.this is timburtons only horror film and all others are kid-friendly.i think it is the best of many,many versions of this story including one by disney.a lot of people say they dont like it due to its inconsistencies with the book and that they just werent scared.i say ive never seen a film a hundred percent like the book and why would you want to be scared?entertainment is the idea not fright.if you go to church,youll want to skip this one also.demons,murder,witch craft etc.if the lights are off and your surround sound is blasting,this sounds incredible.a witch and a preacher type get busy but no nudity.johnny depp doesnt deserve any awards but this is the best movie he happens to be in.people give this movie a bad rap for a lot of stupid reasons.the real deal is its good.ive never seen a bad tim burton film yet and ive seen almost all of them.

A Classic Take On a Classic Tale
In the trend of other Tim Burton films, the complextion of the film is creamy, and satisfying. It tells the common veiwer about Sleepy Hollow, yet puts new tantalizing details in the middle of well known scenes. It finally answers the reader of Washington Irving's book where this terror came from, and why it hunts and why it is indeed "headless". The cast is believable, yet the only weak point is Christina Ricci, who seems to be trying to hard to pull off her role. The cinematography is brilliant, something only Tim could do. It becomes dark at the right moments, and is bright and sugar-sweet when it tells the back story of Johnny Depp's mother, and once again is dark as it learns her fate. This film is not only wonderfully thrilling, but comedic in points where you would think it couldn't. Shall I say, they involve blood squirting, staining, spraying and squirting some more. Johnny Depp is a wonderful pick for this movie, as he gives us exactly what we want from anyone playing Ichabod Crane, plus a little bit more. Have fun, yet do not laugh for too long, or it will surprise with it's random and scary turns.

Sleepy Hollow Is a Genuine Fright-Fest
Tim Burton's films, often praised for the intensity of their mood, bring with them a glimpse of the darker side of the human psyche. His characters are often dis-jointed, dark, but at their core, always human. Often, his films are as centrally located around an individual, quite often the title role of the story....such examples include the title characters of films like "Edward Scissorhands, Jack Skellington of "A Nightmare Before Christmas", and Bruce Wayne in "Batman". It is his central character that the story seems to evolve around, and it is often seen from that perspective, providing the audience a narrative thread that they can relate to throughout the film. The same is true of "Sleepy Hollow".

Loosely based on "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving, Burton's "Hollow" is seen from the perspective of Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp (formerly seen in Burton's "Edward Scissorhands")), a New York detective/criminal investigator who is sent to the farming community of Sleepy Hollow to investigate the decapitations of several of the local townsfolk.

Burton weaves elements of the original "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" into his story, while creating backstory to further develop all the characters, from the families in Sleepy Hollow, to Ichabod Crane, even to the Horseman himself, centralizing the narrative of this story around Crane's investigation into the murders. While in Sleepy Hollow, Crane quickly learns of a conspiracy that seems to exist amongst the principals of the townfolk. With the aid of Young Masbeth (Marc Pickering), whose father was murdered by the Horseman, and Katrina Anne Van Tassel (Christina Ricci), Depp's love interest and daughter of the town's acting governor, Crane's investigation quickly leads him on a hunt that will take them to the very heart of evil, as they learn the fate of the Horseman, a Hessian Mercenary sent to fight in the American Revolution before falling to the sword when betrayed by two mysterious little girls many years before.

Filled with rich imagery, lavishly created special effects, and plenty of genuine frights, "Sleepy Hollow" promises to bring thrills, chills, and plenty of scares. Moreover, though, the story uses horror to aid the story, not replace it. Unlike so many horror movies released in the past ten years, Hollow does not rely on gore to create thrills, but instead, (as with most of Burton's work), it uses subtle mood, growing tension and human vulnerability to really bring the story home in a way that is both terrifying and immensely engaging.

Rated R for violence, gore and brief sexuality, this is not a film for the young. However, for anyone looking for a good scare with a great story, this is the film for you. (NOTE: This film is a departure from the original story by Irving.) ... Read more

Description

HELLRAISER: DEADER is the latest, most terrifying chapter in the wildly frightening HELLRAISER legacy! Once again, the ultimate evil -- the dreaded Pinhead (Doug Bradley -- HELLRAISER franchise) -- leads an army of the dead who come back to life with a bloodthirsty vengeance! For an undercover reporter (Kari Wuhrer -- PROPHECY: UPRISING) who becomes entangled with the deadly underground group responsible for the malevolent resurrections, any moment could be her last! With Pinhead in all his gory glory, the thrilling villain you love to fear delivers another hellish nightmare you'll never forget! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

No reason to die
Of course, I haven't seen the film yet.But it's kind of troubling what happening to this franchise.TWO sequels have been sitting in the can for about two years or so, languishing while Dimension Films, which own the rights to the series now, have released such trash as Halloween: Resurrection.

The Hellraiser franchise did not have to theatrically and commercially die this way.If they can churn out Freddy, Jason, Myers, and Chucky flicks, no doubt they can entertain with some more bloody and demented tales of the Cenobites.Oh well.Suffice to say this will be a must for the Hellraiser fan.

I have no doubt that some hack will also pick up this series and try to totally restart it in Hollywood, where every drop of money will be squeezed from every forgotten franchise.

I love HELLRAISER!!!!!
In my opinion, this is the best horror series ever made. It's dark, witty and sure delves into the human mind, psyche and investigates the grotesqueries of human nature. Everybody knows we are born evil and the series show that not only are born evil, we also become more and more evil when we do not limit ourselves to an ordinary life.HELLRAISER 1 portrays the life of a depraved individual and how it affects his relatives.HELLRAISER 2 is about a mundane brain surgeon who believes death is the 4th dimension and spares no expense to see what there is beyond this so-called real world.HELLRAISER 3 is about a demon who is free to roam the earth and wreak havoc.HELLRAISER 4 is about the eternal battle between good VS evil that plagues a cursed family through generations because they made the box that opens the gates of hell.From pts. 1 through 4 there's gore galore,graphic violence and plenty of taboo subjects, such as bondage - S&M.HELLRAISER 5 is about a corrupt police officer who seeks the ENGINEER - afaceless serial killer from HELL.HELLRAISER 6 is about troubled Kristy (the cute girl from HELLRAISER 1)and her braindamaged husband who are involved in a riddle.HELLRAISER 7 (this one) is about a sect who worships the DEVIL (aka LEVIATHAN - the LORD OF THE LABYRINTH) and a journalist who investigates mysterious and bizarre incidents.HELLRAISER 8 is about the INTERNET,which is used by the devil to seduce and kill whoever visits HELLWORLD - the website.From pts.5 through 8 , gore is minimal,so is graphic violence.The atmosphere ,though, is still dark, and all HELLRAISER elements are present here - HUMAN BEINGS ARE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING TO PLEASE THEMSELVES.Parts 1, 5,6,7 & 8 are like theHELLRAISER graphic novels published a decade ago. The CENOBITES are not the stars of the show - they just happen to be there and enrich the stories.There are different CENOBITES for different occasions.Parts 2, 3 & 4 are more centered (but not that much - except part 3)on PINHEAD,and once again NEW DIFFERENT CENOBITES turn up,because like one of the HELLRAISER comic books stated,different CENOBITES are required for different types of jobs.All CENOBITES are exquisitely beautifulmetal, leather & flesh reconfigurations.I like other horror series out there, but none is asvisually rich,enigmatic and captivating as HELLRAISER - it's like a puzzle that offers different answers .PINHEAD is forever, so is this series, regardless of what some wannabe critics and pseudo intellectuals or frustrated script writers & lousy movie directors say. I already bought from AMAZON parts 7 & 8 and I am drooling for more ... HELLRAISER !!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Im a big fan of Ginger Snaps
My dad and brother dont like it but I love it the 1st and 2d was cool I love those movies but I cant wait to see Ginger Snaps 3 The review you wrote when you met Emily Perkins you are so lucky I wish I could meet her o well I guess I have to wait till Ginger Snaps 3 comes out.

A great beginning to this great trilogy
Yesterday,I went to the Ginger Snaps 3 premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal.It was so great to see Emily and Katharine on the the big screen again.In this one,the sisters Brigitte and Ginger go from town to town because they're parents "drowned".But when Brigitte gets caught in a werewolf trap,the have to go to this remote outpost where the people are batteling "demons" at night for Brigitte's leg to heal.There,Ginger gets bit by a boy who is turning ito a werewolf.So from there,lost of things happend.The movie has a really great atmosphere,great set and is filmed beautifully.It also has some scares and the humor from the first two was still there.Every fan of the first two will love this one and those who didn't even see the first two don't even have to see then because this is totaly different and doesn't follow the story of the first two.At the premiere,Emily Perkins was there and the producer.I got to take Emily's autograph and took a picture with her(she is so ugly in the movie but in real life she is hot).Anyway go see the movie in theatres if it's released(maybe in August says the producer) and if it's not,buy the dvd. ... Read more

Amazon.com

House on Haunted Hill is one of the new breed of waste-no-time thrill machines, like Deep Blue Sea, and a particularly effective example at that. The plot is pure contrivance: For a party stunt, a wealthy amusement-park manufacturer (Geoffrey Rush) offers five people a million dollars if theyspend the night in a former insane asylum where the patients murdered the sadistic staff. But it turns out the five people who arrive aren't the five he invited--did his wife (Famke Janssen), who hates him, make the switch? From there events unfold with a smart combination of human and supernatural machinations; spooky jolts are dispensed at regular, but not entirely predictable, intervals. The visual effects owe a considerable debt to Jacob's Ladder, a much more ambitious movie; House on Haunted Hill just wants to get under your skin, and succeeds more than you'd expect. Rush is his entertainingly hammy self; Janssen, Taye Diggs, Ali Larter, and Bridgette Wilson areattractive and reasonably straight-faced about it all; and Chris Kattan is genuinely funny as the house's neurotic owner. Some elements of the plot seem to have been lost in the editing process, but it hardly matters. More bothersome is that the scares go flat when computer effects take over at the end--the digital images just aren't as creepy as the more suggestive stuff that came before. But that's just the very end; most of the movie has a lot of momentum. Watch until the end of the credits for a final bit of eeriness. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (242)

Sure is a funky old house!
A fantastic little surprise of a movie, I wasn't expecting anything when I went to see this one. After last years dissapointing and disrespectful remake of 'The Haunting', I was shocked that this movie actually seemed to take its source material seriously changing almost nothing of the original story, only adding to it a bit with truly inventive and creative ideas(for instance the fact that the house now was once an asylum for the criminally insane was a nice little touch). The movie creates a genuinly creepy, dark atmosphere and manages to mantain it through most of its length. Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush and Famke Janssen are both startlingly good if fairly low key and exude a proper air of pychosis and seem in particular to be having fun with the oft times witty and more-clever-than-I-would-have-expected shock and shlock script(shock being the gruesome horror, shlock being the dialouge, both being intentional). Bridgette Wilson and Chris Kattan are also surprising standouts, Kattan doing an unusual turn as the semi-non-comedic relief. The effects are wonderful, despite what people say(and to set the record straight there is only one CGI shot in the movie. The shot where Melissa comes out of the entity to reach for Sarah. The rest was cleverly and cheaply shot as an optical using smoke, naked women holding branches and other such bizzare things. See the director's commentary on the DVD for more info)and come nowhere near to being as laughable as the end of the 'Haunting' remake. The extras on the DVD are excellent, ranging from a comparisson of the old and new versions to deleted scenes and a fine director's commentary(I particualrly enjoyed the extra feature called the chamber. It's totally useless but a nice little touch). The gore may turn some off, and it is not for everbody. I loved it and my Dad, who is a die-hard fan of the original Vincent Price, loved it. What more can I say?

Surprisingly well made and eerie
A remake of the 1959 Vincent Price feature, House on Haunted Hill is a surprisingly well made and effectively eerie horror flick that wastes no time delivering the bloody thrills. From part of the same team responsible for the Tales From the Crypt series and films (Robert Zemeckis, Joel Silver, and Gilbert Adler), the film stars Taye Diggs, Ali Larter, Bridgette Wilson, Peter Gallagher, and Chris Kattan as strangers who are each invited to spend the night at what was once an insane asylum where the inmates wreaked grisly havoc on the sadistic staff (led by Jeffrey "Re-Animator" Combs). If they survive the night, each person gets one million dollars cash courtesy of theme park mongul Geoffrey Rush (paying wonderful homage to Vincent Price) and his devilish wife played by Famke Janssen. Theme such as story and dialogue are of no use here, the visceral thrills and eerie atmosphere are what makes House on Haunted Hill effective before it turns into a CGI fest at the end of the film. Look for singer Lisa Loeb and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's James "Spike" Marsters as members of the media towards the beginning of the film.

Non-stop thrills
It is no coincedence that this film starts in an amusement park. It is a non-stop thrill ride from beginning to end.
The DVD is packed with great extras: 6 minidocumentaries, 3 deleted scenes (the second one, "Zombies" explains a continuity error - the missing jacket), commentary by the director, theatrical trailers for both versions of the film, scenes from the film "Creature", and a documentary on the two versions of the film.
Pop the disc in a DVD-ROM drive and you have access to two essays. The first is "Oh, The Horror! A History of Horror" with the following sections: Germanic Origins; The Universal Horror Factory; Bloody Rivals; A Symphony of Horrors; Ghosts, Ghouls and Gimmicks; Hammer's House of Horrors; Satan's Minions; The Shark That Ate the Box Office; "Psycho" and the Slashers; New Heights of Blood and Gore; Big-Budget Bloodbaths; Of Witches and Ghosts.
The second essay is "Take Two! (Or Three!) A Retrospective of Horror Remakes" with the following sections: "I Am...Dracula"; "It's Alive! It's Alive!"; "He's Here!"; "The Eighth Wonder of the World!"; "Watch the Skies!"; "You're Next! You're Next!"; "A Force...Beyond the Scope of Man's Imagination"; "Help Me! Help Me!"; "Mother, She Isn't Quite Herself Today"; "Welcome to Hill House".
The Website for the film is also included on the disc.
A Windows game is included title "Escape From the House."
While the game only works in Windows, the essays are accessible from a Macintosh using a web browser.
MPEG versions of trailers for "Arsenic and Old Lace", "Beetlejuice", "Poltergeist", "The Shining" (1980), and the two "Haunted Hill" films are on the disc as well.

One of THE Best Horror Films of the 1990's
House on Haunted Hill, a remake of a 1950's Vincent Price film, is one of the best horror films to come out of the 1990's. The story is simple enough: An amusement park mogul with a reputation for scaring the daylights out of people invites five strangers to attend his hated wife's birthday party thrown at an abandoned insane asylum. Once there, they attendees are told that anyone who stays the night (and survives) will receive $1,000,000. However, things start to go wrong, and the entire group is trapped inside the apparently haunted building with all kinds of supernatural phenomena occuring. The people strive to find a way out as well as try to figure who (or what) is behind the bizarre happenings.

From the superb creation of a dark atmosphere of decay surrounding the asylum to top-notch acting and special effects, HOHH succeeds in making a very creepy experience. The only problem that I had with the movie was that I felt that the film makers wimped out a bit when they finally revealed the cause of the supernatural goings-on. However, I still classify this as a four star film and a must-have for any horror buff.

This is a Impressive but Different Remake of the Original.
A Cold Hearted Wife (Famke Janssen) of a Twisted Theme Park Bigshot Steven Price (Oscar-Winner:Geoffrey Rush) decide to thown a Party at an abandoned Institute for the Criminally Insane for his Wife`s Birthday Bush but Steven had something else in mind by hosting a Scary/Jokey Birthday Party Instead at that House. When Five Strangers (Taye Diggs, Ali Larter, Chris Kattan, Peter Gallagher and Bridgette Wilson) are mysteriously assembled for the event. Steven promises to give them One Million Bucks, No Question asked if they spend the night could marked them a very rich or profoundly dead but that abandoned institute is a Murdering Way of Life at the House on Haunted Hill.

Directed by William Malone (Creature, Feardotcom) made a well made Horror Film that has little resemblance of the Original 1959 Cult Classic. The Film has a few chills and good performances from the cast (Especially by Ex-Saturday Night Live Comedian Star:Kattan). Some will dislike the remake but for those, who enjoy the remake will have a Good Time. This Remake is Certainly Alot Better that the Flawed and Undercooked-The Haunting (1999). The Visual Effects might be a bit Heavy-Headed towards the end but it`s a enjoyable jolting fun film. DVD has a sharp anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and a terrific-Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. DVD has an entertaining commentary by the Director, Behind the Scnes Documentaries, Deleted Scenes with Intro by the Director and more. This film won`t start the Party without you, Horror fans will have a Blast and Certainly has more Plot that the 1959 Version. Don`t miss this trashy but creepy horror remake. Grade:A-. ... Read more

Reviews (122)

Why Hellraiser is a classic horror film
I love this!The first Hellraiser is such a well done movie!It's one of the best in the series,and you can't have a sequel without an original. Original is the key word here. This movie is one of a kind,Clive Barker wrote it origanaly as a novel(the Hellbound heart) before transforming it into a script and then directing it. Now might I say that this is a definate must for gorehounds everywhere,let's take a look-see, shall we? We've got Frank's skinned corpse thumping around up stairs,skinning rats, and ready to mangulate the unsespecting men whom Julia lures upstairs.Then there's the Cenobites, the demons summoned by the box.And of corse we can't forget the classic in Hellraiser: When Frank gets ripped to pecies by chains with hooks on the ends.The first one set this off and they've been doing it ever sence.I myself am not a true gorehound,but those of you who are go for it. Hellraiser has got seven sequals so far. I can reconise the first one as a classic in the horror movie feild,it's really quite a masterpeice when I think about it. So all in all really great movie,if you're thinking of getting it I say go for it,I know I will,just as long as you've got the stomach for it. This was Deathgirl, telling you why Hellraiser is a classic horror film,It'll tear your soul apart.

Hooks, Chains, Cenobites, And Thou...
The vast majority of mid to late 80s horror movies are pretty lame. HELLRAISER is one of the rare exceptions. Rather than following the same dull old formula, Clive Barker singlehandedly reinvents the horror film for a frustrated and jaded audience. He uses sheer darkness and evil to enhance a sense of utter doom. Frank is a sado-masochist with a thirst for unlocking the secrets of hell (the ultimate experience of pain and pleasure merged). He attains the Lamont Configuration (a puzzle box which is actually a transdimensional gate), unleashing the cenobites (pinhead and his fellow demons), who torture and tear Frank apart. Some time later, Julia (Clare Higgins) and her family move into Frank's abandoned house. Julia had had an affair with Frank, who is her husband Larry's brother. Frank is resurrected when a drop of blood soaks into the attic floorboards, revitalizing a piece the cenobites missed. As he grows, he needs more blood and flesh to sustain his re-emerging form. Julia grudgingly agrees to help Frank by luring men home with her for sex. Instead, they are hit in the head and attacked by a grotesque, cannibalistic Frank, who takes what he requires, leaving only a shriveled carcass behind. Julia's daugher Kirsty (Ashley Laurence) gets a hold of Frank's puzzle box and inadvertently gates in the cenobites. They are ready to take her with them into hell, until she tells them that she can deliver uncle Frank into their clutches. The rest is a gruesome fearfest! There are moments of real terror in HELLRAISER that make 99% of the rest of the genre look ridiculous by comparison. A uniquely chilling story became a terrifying movie that only Barker could pull off. Highly recommended...

Clive Barker's Hellraiser
Clive Barker's Hellraiser is a classic among horror films. In a way it started a new real of horror films focusing on the pain and misery hell is, along with the inhabitants
of hell.

This is not the first time, the issue of hell has been brought into a horror movie zombies movies use the theme of hell being unleashed in their plot. Lucio Fulci in his movie ''The Beyond'' is another movie that uses that theme well.

Made in 1987, the film is still a pretty good flick to watch during this time of year.
The plot of the film is probably a little hard to swallow, but onscreen it sure worked.
Julia Cotton (Claire Higgins) is having an affair with the brother of her husband Larry Cotton (Andrew Robinson). Apparently Frank (the brother of Larry is killed (played by Sean Chapman), but through the gates of hell is resurrected as a monster. That is because Claire opens up the pandora's box (puzzle box) which opens up the gates of hell. In order to gain his human form , Frank must absord literally the skin and tissue of his victims.

Yes ''Hellraiser'' and it's sequels contain graphic violence and thus if you are not a fan of horror you probably be better of passing it of. That's not to say that ''Hellraiser'' craze isn't good, their are good movies, and they have inspired
other newer movies to up the ante as far as scaryness and violence is concerned.

Clive Barker's special effects for hellraising were crude but effective. The thing about Clive Barker's ''Hellraiser'' movies is that unlike other cheap sequels to horror hits like
''Halloween'', each sequel ''Hellraiser'' gets better and better, loading more special effects, gore, and suspense.

Eventually Claire and the newly formed Frank now then sets their sites on killing everyone in their house including Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence) and Larry Cotton.

However a monster from hell named Pinhead (Douglas Bradley) is thriving to inflict his pain of hell into others and so now now Kirsty and Larry have quite a few problems in front of them. They got this evil maniac Frank and now this monster known as a cenobite , Pinhead who wants to get out of hell and cause mayhem.

''Hellraiser'' is a good horror flick. It's use of the macabre, suspense and phsycial attack on the senses with its graphic theme made it stand out from other horror flicks. It's probably the series has lasted so long up to the new ''Hellraiser: Hellseeker'' sequel.

This will be short but sweet.....
Ok, I will try to keep this brief. Hellraiser is incredible for it's originality in story line; leaving behind the god/satan area of evil and just going straight an other worldly group of creatures that teach that there is no difference between pleasure and pain- there is only sensation. That is not a topic that most horror flicks venture(although that point is not as explored in the movie as in the novella).

Plus, any movie that has a character say,"Jesus wept" just as he is about to be torn apart by hooks (and yes that line was improvised) gets major brownie points in my book.

HELLRAISER !!!!!!!!!
Hellraiser is way better than candyman, i loved it.
I was'nt going to watch it at first because i had watched the third one before and dind'nt think much to it.
When i watched it i loved it and now i am wanting to watch the 2nd one but people have told me that it is very boring so i will consider watching it. ... Read more

Description

A group of people on a photo shoot in the woods take refuge in a dark house as a dense fog rolls in. When night falls, a mud-covered creature from the nearby swamp stalks them one by one brutally killing them and performing horrific sex-games with the women.ENTRAILS OF THE VIRGIN is the controversial sex-and-gore nightmare from director Gaira (Kazuo Komizu). Presented here for the first time with a brand new, digitally mastered anamorphic widescreen transfer from original vault materials, ENTRAILS OF THE VIRGIN is definitely not for the squeamish! Prepare to be shocked, offended, horrified and repulsed by every single frame of this unbelievable Japanese cult classic. Remember, you’ve been warned!

SPECIAL FEATURES:
- New Anamorphic (1.78:1) Widescreen Transfer
- Original Uncut Japanese Language Version
- Newly Translated Easy-to-Read Removable Subtitles
- Animated DVD Menus
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Video Interview with Director Gaira
- Essay on the Japanese Film Fogging Controversy STARRING Saeko Kizuki Naomi Hagio Kazuhiko Goda Taiju Kato WRITTEN BY Gaira (Kazuo Komizu) PRODUCED BY Hiroshi Hanzawa and Toshio Sato DIRECTED BY Gaira (Kazuo Komizu)
Not Rated 1986 Approx 73 min. Color NTSC Dolby Digital Mono 1.78:1
ADULTS ONLY! CONTAINS SCENES OF EXPLICIT SEX AND GRAPHIC VIOLENCE ... Read more

Reviews (47)

A solid, moody thriller
Cat People was of course hit with comparisons to the 1942 original and that, as usual, is unfair. The two have barely a thing in common. Yes, the 80s version has plenty of sex and violence, but so be it, the film has a well-defined look and is certainly moody and atmospheric, which is all we can ask of a horror film so many times. Unlike the original's psychological horror and hammy acting, Schrader is concerned with establishing New Orleans as a bizarre setting for this strange tale of a young woman's sexual awakening and subsequent rampage as a member of the title race. Kinski is perfect in the role as is Heard as Oliver, and McDowell is on hand for his patented creepiness. This film represents a clear vision of the horror only hinted at in the original screenplay by DeWitt Bodeen, and with Scarfioti and Moroder doing the visuals and the music . . .

Sultry, Stylish, and Darkly Erotic
Cat People is one of my favorite horror movies. No, it's not perfect. The script is uneven in parts and it is debatable whether the cheesy dream sequence at the beginning should have been included. But the film creates an atmosphere which draws you in. The casting is brilliant: Natassja Kinski is perfect as Irena, and Malcolm McDowell is perfectly creepy as her brother. The setting of New Orleans, that most sensuous of American cities, is also just right. The film is scary and suspenseful, and has a great soundtrack. Special effects are not used gratuitously, but only when necessary to tell the story. But what really makes this film special is the successful juxtaposition of horror with the erotic. No other American film I can think of does this as well. This is largely due to the presence of Ms. Kinski, who radiates a sexuality which is almost hypnotic. Needless to say, I'm a fan of this film and highly recommend it, despite its flaws.

if it weren't for the exquisite Natassia Kinski...
...I would've given this zero stars.

It felt like a bad 1970s made-for-TV movie: clumsy pacing, cheesy keyboards on the soundtrack, tacky "matte" color photography, high-school-drama-class production standards during the absurd prehistoric Africa scenes... (...)

There's a little sex and some bared breasts I suppose, but far from "Basic Instinct" quality.

This little pussycat doesn't roar, it just kinda sorta meows.

Hungry like the panther
"Cat People" is a dark erotic horror movie made in the early 80s; before horror meant hack and slash blood and guts (not that I am complaining). It centers on Irena (Nastassja Kinski), a young virgin who arives in New Orleans to meet her long lost brother Paul (Malcolm McDowell). One night after an awkward advance toward Irena, Paul goes missing. Meanwhile, the zoo catches a wild panther that mysteriously turns up in the city. Irena goes to the zoo, and immeadiatly feels drawn to the panther. The curator, Oliver (John Heard), falls for Irena and arranges for her to get a job. After the panther kills a zoo employee, it escapes, and then Paul comes back. Eventually this leads Irena to learn that she and Paul are the last of cat people, ancient people that can become an animal only after they have had sex, and can only transform back after they have ate a human. It is sort of a variation on the werewolf myth. Irena must decide if she wants to be a part of the human world, or the animal one. This is a very smart horror movie in a time when they were rapidly becoming mindless. Kinski is a beautiful woman, and she handles herself with grace and sleekness that puts you very much in the mind of a feline. The whole movie depends on her, and you buy her many emotions as genuine through the whole movie. McDowell dose what he dose best, play the heavy; a little more depth from him would have been nice, but I don't hold it against him. John Heard plays hurt and confused well, and it is nice to see him in a role where he isn't a slime ball. The supporting cast is filled out with excellent actors; Ruby Dee and Ed Begley Jr. do just fine in their limited roles. There is also a young and sexy Annette O'Toole, with a twist on the promiscuous female type in horror movies. The brillant director behind the vastly underrated "Cat People" is Paul Schrader, who wrote "Taxi Driver". In a way, Irena reminds me a little bit of Travis Bickle; alone, alianated, and prone to senseless violence. The only part that really didn't feel right in the movie was the flash backs to Ancient Times in the desert. That piece looked too fake, but it is so brief that you can ignore it. New Orleans is beautifly photographed, especially the French Quarter, with all it's hints of secrets and mystery. This is really a well made erotic thriller that mature audiences will like a lot.

That dude from Austin Powers is sweet in this
There's all kinds of people (women) walking around totally naked in this movie. I give it my full support there. But as an added frosting on the cake, the dude who plays Austin Powers' commander or whatever is all crazy and jumps around like a cat. Or maybe it's not the guy from Austin Powers - I don't know. But it is cool when they jump up on things like cats. ... Read more

Reviews (261)

Stylish, beautiful, and mesmerising
I first saw Suspiria a few years ago as a VHS rental but I couldn't remember too much about it. But suddenly, the world of Italian horror has been broken wide open so I picked up this three disk limited edition. Watching Suspiria is sort of like dreaming awake. Colored lighting is used to great effect and the sound track just sort of lulls one into submission. The plot makes about as much sense as a dream, that is to say, the movie all makes sense while watching but looses cohesion quickly once one returns to the "real" world. I think that is why I only remember watching the VHS rental but not too much of the movie.

The three disc set includes a newly made documentary and a Goblin soundtrack from the movie. The documentary suffers from subtitles that are sometimes washed out against a light background. Otherwise, it is informative. The Goblin CD is a lot fun to listen to and I find myself humming the main theme all the time. Unfortunately, I do not find a listing for the names of the songs. The main disk also includes trailers and radio spots and a Goblin music video of Demonia, which appears to be the main theme song.

Terrific DVD for a terrific movie
What many claim is the definitive Dario Argento movie(some say "Deep Red" but I say this), has been put into a wonderful DVD. I waited for weeks for the limited edition. It was well worth the wait. The limited edition throws in everything, but the kitchen sink. While the laserdisc was in letterbox, the colors were washed out. Pity too, since that was they used a technique which enhanced the colors into a deeper, richer texture (in letterbox to show the entire picture). Thankfully, the DVD lets us see this wonderful enhancement beautifully. On the second disc, we see interviews with the filmakers and stars of the film. We also get a bit of a hint why we still haven't seen the conclusion of "Three Mothers" Trilogy. It also has an interesting interview of the composer of the bizarre music to the movie. The third disc is a CD soundtrack to the movie, which contains a terrific updated version of the theme song (a music video of the song is in the first disc). All in all, an excellent DVD set. Bravo to Anchor Bay!

"SUSPIRIA"-Dario Argento's stylishly artistic masterpiece!
Okay, to all those fans of the Italian horror genre (or 'giallo' films as some would call them) I'd like to say that I am a longtime fan of horror movies and am also new to the Italian horror genre. I'd have to say as strange as it is, "Suspiria" (1977) was actually the first one to get me into the Italian horror films. Considering that I personally do NOT like any of Lucio Fulci's work (e.g. "Zombie") Dario Argento is quite better and the atmosphere of his movies are a lot better to draw you into.

Jessica Harper (a very talented actress indeed!) plays the heroine, Suzy Banyon, a young female American ballet dancer who attends a German dance school run by the mysterious Madame Blanc and Miss Tannr (given eerily performances by Joan Bennett & Alida Valli) From there, all hell breaks loose as horrific "accidental" deaths occur as many individuals are picked off one by one by an unseen supernatural entity. There are numerous secret passageways in the school (my favorite being the rose painting on the wall), a cruel and sharply grotesque hanging scene, a flesh eating dog, & many other shocking surprises which await as Suzy must discover the school's true revelation before it's too late!

This 3 disk set is in its WIDESCREEN Presentation(2.35:1) & is enhanced for 16x9 T.V. sets. It also includes the theatrical trailer (including T.V. spots), radio spots, a Daemonia music video, poster and still galleries, and talent bios. The third disk is the soundtrack of the film performed by the Italian rock group, Goblin and is definately one of the creepiest scores I've ever heard in a film. (Though maybe not as scary as Godfrey Salmon's orchestrated and conducted score for the sequel, "Inferno")

It's also one of those rare items which requires you to think, but keep in mind that sometimes it may take more than just one viewing to understand it all. The Dance Academy is also the most beautifully, artistic movie sets to ever be used for a horror flick (but in a grotesque and fun way) Without doubt, this is one of Dario Argento's BEST work! (I haven't seen his first masterpiece, "Deep Red" yet) In fact, as he explained in an interview for "Inferno" this, along with that film was one of the hardest films to make in his career and required A LOT of his own imagination and style. I recommend this to those who don't prefer Lucio Fulci's work and I also recommend the sequel, "Inferno". (it carries some of the same resemblance to the first film but the storyline starts to come together more in that one) Truly, this is a non-stop nightmare into the terrifying unknown! I will most definately be checking out the rest of Mr. Argento's work.

Kcin's review of Suspiria
I suck at introductions so I'm not even gonna try. This movie is very good. I like it. If you are interested in Horror cinema or just visually intriguing films in general you need to check this out. All right then, on with the specifics.

The plot is easily summarized. Suzy Bannion is an American ballet student in Germany. There a bad goings-ons at the academy and she must investigate and defeat the evil to survive blah blah blah. None of that really matters. Even the staunchest defenders of this film often admit that the plot/script/dialogue are not particularly inspired, and frequently kinda lame. I tend to agree with this belief, but as I said before, it doesn't really matter. However, contrary to what many people say, I didn't find this film to be the least bit confusing. I'll admit that not necessarily everything that occurs makes a whole lot of sense, and that some things are shown which are not terribly vital to the plot, but it's hardly difficult to follow. The acting isn't so great either, with the protagonists coming off a bit flat much of the time, and the antagonists overdoing it, particularly the whacky Miss Tanner, whose got a weird female concentration camp commandant thing going on.(or maybe I'm thinking of Madame Blanc, I get the names confused. If you see it you'll know who I'm talking about.) Still, it's a masterpiece visually.

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