Welcome to one of the main features of 'Castle Dracula,' the movie reviews section.
The reviews placed here are from all around the world, from the USA to the UK Japan
and everything inbetween. The formats reviewed are video and DVD. I have included the
origin of the film reviewed so you can check your player for compatibility. You may
also notice that there are some DVD-R reviews. These are not 'bootlegs' or 'copies'
but official screeners that I have been sent containing an as yet unreleased film to 
review. All the reviews here have been reviewed either by myself or my current movie 
reviewers. If you're an avid watcher of horror movies then why not join 'Castle Dracula'
as an official 'staff member' reviewing them. To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff'
link in the menu to the left for details of this and other vacancies.
New reviews are normally placed here once a week, check my front page for under 'Castle
Dracula Updates' to see what latest movie reviews have been placed.

- Hellraiser/Hellbound Limited Edition Tin Box Set - US DVD -

This is a limited edition tin box DVD set of Hellraiser and Hellbound, the sequel.
In this double movie set, you recieve both films (obviously), a 48 page booklet
and two mini replica cinema posters of the movies. 
First, if you don't know the story (who doesn't), here's a brief synopsis. 
At it's very basic, a Japanese configuration puzzle box (sort of an evil rubiks
cube), when solved opens a gateway to hell. 
From this gateway, come the cenobites, demons that will show you the extremes 
in pleasures and pain in a fetishtic kind of way. 
Kirsty's evil, demented Uncle Frank, solves the box and subsequently gets ripped
apart by the cenobites. 
Her father, unwittingly resurrects him, partially (skinless), so, unbeknownst
to Kirsty's father, his wife and Uncle Franks lover, brings back victims for 
Frank to kill and thus bring him back to his evil old self. 
When Kirsty stumbles upon the cenobites, in exchange for her soul, she promises
to deliver Frank back to them.
That's where i'll leave it, without giving away too much, i've missed out a 
helluva lot for those of you who haven't seen it. 
Now for those that have, know that this is a genuine horror classic and apart 
from "Candyman", the last true horror icons are found within the Cenobites. 
The difference between this and the UK DVD is miles apart. 
While the UK version had a grainy picture and "adequate" sound, it also had 
very little extras, this more than makes up for it. 
For a start, it is now digitally remastered in THX so the sound and picture 
are both outstanding. 
The Hellraiser movie I could not see any real big difference cuts wise. 
But you do get a still gallery, commentary from Clive Barker (which is probably
the last time he'll talk about this "damn son of a bitch movie" as he calls 
it), Ashley Lawrence (who plays Kirsty) and (writer) Peter Atkins. 
Also, there's the theatrical trailer and a documentary called "Resurection", 
which is exclusive to this DVD, add the choice of full screen or wide screen 
versions and this is a must have. 
A true, gory classic given a new lease of life. 
Now for the second half of the double DVD boxed set, and indeed the second movie
of the series, "Hellbound". 
Again, a brief synopsis, starting straight after the ending of the first one,
police find the victims (or what's left of them) of Franks unfortunate victims. 
Kirsty is put in a mental hospital (she's suffering a supposed loss of memory)
with the infamous box to help jog her memory. 
She is visited by what she believes to be her father, begging her for her help
in escaping Hell. 
But, she has been put under the care of "Dr" Chanard, who, having an obsession 
with the whole mythology of the Cenobites, it's not long before he's resurrected
Julia, become a Cenobite himself and begun his reign of terror in the hospital. 
As before, i'll leave it there not wanting to spoil it for anybody who has yet
to see it. 
Now for the gore hounds, this was a treat in the UK, though it was heavily cut 
it still had it's moments. 
But...guess what? 
This is the FULL UNCUT version!!! 
The main diferrences are the FULL birth of Pinhead at the beginning, the full 
self mutilation scene (if you've seen it, you should know what I mean) and the 
full birth of the "Chanard Cenobite", basically, roughly 9 minutes of extra gore
judging by the times on my UK video compared to the time of this DVD. 
If you've got a weak stomach, then this is most DEFINATELY NOT for you. 
Some do not like the story, in it's full gory, sorry, I mean glory, I consider
it to be a worthy sequel. 
The movie comes, as does the first in the box set, "Hellraiser", in full, digitally
remastered, THX.
Giving perfect picture and sound quality, with the amount of STRONG gore, I
leave this to you as to whether this is a good thing or not, personally, I 
say...OH HELL YEAH!!! 
Then, there's the choice of full or wide screen. 
A still gallery, theatrical trailer, audio commentary from director Tony Randel, 
Ashley (Kirsty) Lawrence, and writer Peter Atkins. 
Add an exclusive (to this DVD) documentary entitled "Lost In The Labyrinth"
and packaged in a gorgeous metal tin (with Pinhead painted on the front) and 
this is a gorehounds, DVD import horror collectors dream (or nightmare). 

Reviewed By Dracula

Click here to read how this page is protected by copyright laws.