Tuesday, September 29, 2015

News on Specs and Artwork for 'Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box' on Blu-ray from Arrow Video

"Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box" Full Specs and Artwork Revealed by Arrow Video


Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box Blu-ray Arrow Video



** STOCK UPDATE : HELLRAISER THE SCARLET BOX **
Our Limited Edition Hellraier boxset is now out of print and has been removed from sale on the Arrow Store.

Stock is still available with some retailers like Amazon UK via the link below. 



Arrow Video has been hard at work on their highly anticipated Blu-ray box set "Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box." The time has come to reveal the artwork and full list of special features that will be included along with the horror films. The Limited Edition set is scheduled to be released on October 26th.


4-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:

  • Brand new 2K restorations of Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth 
  • Uncompressed PCM Stereo 2.0 and Lossless DTS-HD MA 5.1 sound for Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II 
  • Lossless DTS-HD MA 2.0 sound for Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth 
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing for all three films 
  • Limited Edition bonus disc 
  • Exclusive 200-page hardback book with new writing from Clive Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes 
  • 20-page booklet featuring never-before-seen original "Hellraiser" concept art 
  • Limited Edition packaging with new artwork from Gilles Vranckx 
  • Set of 5 exclusive art cards
  • Fold-out reversible poster

DISC 1 – HELLRAISER:

  • Brand new 2K restoration approved by director of photography Robin Vidgeon 
  • Audio commentary with writer/director Clive Barker 
  • Audio commentary with Barker and actress Ashley Laurence 
  • Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser – brand new version of the definitive documentary on the making of Hellraiser, featuring interviews with key cast and crew members 
  • Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellraiser – actor Sean Chapman talks candidly about playing the character of Frank Cotton in Barker’s original 
  • Soundtrack Hell: The Story of the Abandoned Coil Score – Coil member Stephen Thrower on the Hellraiser score that almost was 
  • Hellraiser: Resurrection – vintage featurette including interviews with Clive Barker, actors Doug Bradley and Ashley Laurence, special make-up effects artist Bob Keen and others 
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on "Hellraiser" 
  • Original EPK featuring on-set interviews with cast and crew 
  • Draft Screenplays [BD-ROM content] 
  • Trailers and TV Spots 
  • Image Gallery

DISC 2 – HELLBOUND: HELLRAISER II:

  • Brand new 2K restoration approved by director of photography Robin Vidgeon 
  • Audio Commentary with director Tony Randel and writer Peter Atkins 
  • Audio Commentary with Randel, Atkins and actress Ashley Laurence 
  • Leviathan: The Story of "Hellbound: Hellraiser II" – brand new version of the definitive documentary on the making of Hellbound, featuring interviews with key cast and crew members 
  • Being Frank: Sean Chapman on Hellbound – actor Sean Chapman talks about reprising the role of Frank Cotton in the first Hellraiser sequel 
  • Surgeon Scene – the home video world premiere of this legendary, never before-seen excised sequence from Hellbound, sourced from a VHS workprint 
  • Lost in the Labyrinth – vintage featurette including interviews with Barker, Randel, Keen, Atkins and others 
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on "Hellbound: Hellraiser II" 
  • On-set interview with Clive Barker 
  • On-set interviews with cast and crew 
  • Behind-the-Scenes Footage 
  • Rare and unseen storyboards 
  • Draft Screenplay [BD-ROM content] 
  • Trailers and TV Spots 
  • Image Gallery

DISC 3 – HELLRAISER III: HELL ON EARTH:

  • Brand new 2K restoration of the Original Theatrical Version [93 mins] 
  • Alternate Unrated Version [97 mins] 
  • Brand new audio commentary with writer Peter Atkins 
  • Audio commentary with director Anthony Hickox and Doug Bradley 
  • Hell on Earth: The Story of Hellraiser III – making-of documentary featuring interviews with Atkins, Keen and actor Ken Carpenter 
  • Terri’s Tales – brand new interview with actress Paula Marshall
  • Under the Skin: Doug Bradley on Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth 
  • Raising Hell on Earth – archival interview with Hickox 
  • On-set interviews with Barker and Bradley 
  • Never-before-seen Hellraiser III SFX dailies 
  • Theatrical Trailer 
  • Image Gallery 
  • Hellraiser III comic book adaptation [Disc gallery]

DISC 4 – THE CLIVE BARKER LEGACY – LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE:

  • Clive Barker short films "Salomé" and "The Forbidden" 
  • Books of Blood & Beyond: The Literary Works of Clive Barker – horror author David Gatward provides a tour through Barker’s written work, from the first Books of Blood to the recent The Scarlet Gospels 
  • Hellraiser: Evolutions – a brand new documentary looking at the evolution of the hit horror franchise and its enduring legacy, featuring interviews with Scott Derrickson (director, Hellraiser: Inferno), Rick Bota (director, "Hellraiser: Hellseeker," "Deader" and "Hellworld"), Stuart Gordon (director, "Re-Animator," "From Beyond") and others 
  • The Hellraiser Chronicles: A Question of Faith – short film

200-PAGE BOOK – ‘DAMNATION GAMES’ – LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE:
  • Exclusive 200-page hardback book with new writing on "Hellraiser" and the Barker universe from Barker archivists Phil and Sarah Stokes – including chapters looking at Barker’s early work, the genesis and production of the first 3 films in the Hellraiser series and much more, all illustrated with stills and rare material from the Barker archive



Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box Blu-ray Arrow Video

Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box Blu-ray Arrow Video

Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box Blu-ray Arrow Video

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Friday, August 21, 2015

Clive Barker's Origins: Salome and The Forbidden - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group

Clive Barker's Early Works From The 70's


Clive Barker's Origins: Salome and The Forbidden - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group


Released by: MVD Entertainment Group
Release Date: August 25, 2015
Production Year: Salome (1973) / The Forbidden (1978)
Region Code: 0 NTSC 
Running Time: Salome (17:35) / The Forbidden (35:41)
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 
Video: 480i (1.33:1 Aspect Ratio)
Subtitles: None


THE FILMS:

In 1970s Liverpool, Clive Barker and a small group of friends from college made two short films. "Salome" (1973) and "The Forbidden" (1978) feature early footage of Barker, who also did most of the special effects, and Doug Bradley, who went on to fame as Pinhead in the "Hellraiser" films. 

"Salome" has an eerie feeling to it, with its dimly lit surroundings. Unfortunately, to me, the best part was the first few minutes. The film is a bit overloaded with close ups. Toward the end I found myself saying, I have no idea what is going on. It has surreal moments and flashes of artistic flare but overall, it seemed to need a way to better communicate with the viewer. Run time: 17 min 35 sec

The look of "The Forbidden" would have to be described as viewing a film via its negative. Look at screenshot number two below and you get the idea. The film features a few segments including Clive Barker himself dancing in the nude as well a man being flayed. I found this film to be the more interesting of the two. Not quite as creepy in tone but more entertaining. Run time: 35 min 41 sec

Both films are dialogue free, but do feature music and some sound effects.


Clive Barker's Origins: Salome and The Forbidden - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group


AUDIO:

Both films feature a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. The sound quality for both films was fine. The tracks did not have to work too hard since the films are mostly silent. I did not have any problems with the audio for either film.



Clive Barker's Origins: Salome and The Forbidden - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group

VIDEO:

"Clive Barker's Origins: Salome and The Forbidden" arrive on DVD thanks to the MVD Entertainment Group. Both films are presented in 480i with a 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio. The films look rough. But they were shot a long time ago on 8mm and 16mm film from what I have read. It is clear the elements were not well preserved with the abundance of scratches and blemishes on the film. The films have a home movie quality in their appearance. 



Clive Barker's Origins: Salome and The Forbidden - DVD Review - MVD Entertainment Group Doug Bradley


SPECIAL FEATURES:

Interviews (16:13) - Interviews with Clive Barker, Doug Bradley and others. It was really fun to see Doug Bradley sans "Pinhead" make up and so much younger in the vintage piece. Fans should enjoy these interviews. 


IN CONCLUSION: 

Two early directorial efforts from Clive Barker. If you're a big fan of his, then this is something you would probably like to have in your collection since it might be his only films you do not own already.


OVERALL:  2.5 / 5




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