Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)

Having just received my Lament Configuration Puzzle Box in the mail, I was hopeful that I could reach out to the underworld and call upon the Cenobites to help me deal with these posts in the neighborhood.  Unfortunately,  nothing happened.  But,  to try to get some tips,  I decided to revisit the Hellraiser series with the 1996 entry,  Hellraiser: Bloodline. 

Plot: In the 22nd century, a scientist attempts to right the wrong his ancestor created: the puzzle box that opens the gates of Hell and unleashes Pinhead and his Cenobite legions.

This was the first time back to this one in some time and honestly it was better than I had remembered.  Although it seemed outlandish from the outset, this one was actually a lot better than it originally appeared. The storyline was interesting and layered, the dialog was really good, and the atmosphere was held throughout.  Yes,  some of the effects felt dated and there were some pacing issues, but those are only minor flaws.  In the end,  I feel this is an often overlooked entry in the series, and a movie that is week worth watching (especially to cleanse they cenobit craving).

Hellraiser: Judgment (2018)

What a crazy week! What I had hoped to be a quiet and relaxing business focused week decided to turn into some craziness featuring a nice broken pipe in the kitchen. That was a watery mess and one that I could have done without. I did need some down time to recover, so I ventured into the world of the Cenobites with 2018s Hellraiser: Judgment.

Plot/ Detectives Sean and David Carter are on the case to find a gruesome serial killer terrorizing the city. Joining forces with Detective Christine Egerton, they dig deeper into a spiraling maze of horror that may not be of this world.

I honestly was not quite sure how I would feel about this one with the changes to the cast, but I gave it a shot anyway. Having been a fan of Clive Barker for a long time, I had hoped that the film would do the franchise justice. What I found was a flick that took the series back to its roots and allowed fans a glimpse of what made the original such a classic. The imagery was outstanding, and the direction and cinematography created a very tense and atmospheric film. Even the new version of Pinhead felt right. Sure, some of the performances were uneven and the storyline (especially the subplot) felt a little too familiar, but honestly, this one was much better than I would have ever guessed. I am sure that there will be some people who don’t like it (especially because there is no Doug Bradley), but I would personally disregard them. If you love Clive Barker and Hellraiser, give this one a shot!

Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)

As April continues to pass us by, I decided to find something to help keep my focus as I am working through my epic poem Salvation. With my lead character travelling back in time to the ancient Canaanite civilization in Levant to face the demonic beasts Baal, Moloch, and their minions, I decided a trip to Hell might be in order. What better choice to help with this than the 1988 classic Hellbound: Hellraiser II.

Plot/ Kirsty is brought to an institution after the death of her family, where the occult-obsessive head resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites once again.

Sequels are always interesting endeavors, and in this case, even great additions to the mythos created within this series. For me, Hellbound is on par with the source material and in many ways; the darkness that it portrays is a tremendous representation of the nightmares that can surround us everyday. Released in 1988, the special effects are amazing and have stood the test of time. The cinematography is amazing, the imagery sets the dark atmosphere and does a great job bringing Clive Barker's vision of hell to life, the performances are solid, and the horror elements resonate as much today as they did when the movie came out. Yes, some of the early pacing is a touch slow, ut that is but a minor flaw in one of the greatest sequels ever made in the horror genre. In the end, this visual trip to Hell may not be for everyone, but it is a must see for horror fans and fans of Barkers’ work. If you have not seen it yet, you should not consider yourself a true horror fan. Find it, and watch it.

Hellraiser: Revelations (2011)

With The Visit behind me, I still had some work to do and needed something dark in the background. After some debate, I decided to venture back into a franchise that I absolutely love, Hellraiser, with the ninth installment Hellraiser: Revelations.  

Plot/ two friends discover a puzzle box in Mexico, which opens a gateway to Hell. Before long, Pinhead has returned to make the lives of everyone in his way miserable.

While I have not reviewed all of the Hellraiser movies, I have seen them all, and this ninth installment has to be the worst. I can now see why Doug Bradley passed (not that his presence would have saved it). There were some interesting effects in this one (even if they were predictable and similar to earlier entries in the franchise) and who would not love to see the box, chains, a pleasures of the flesh instilled by the cenobites. Unfortunately, there was absolutely nothing new in this one, and it felt like a modified rip-off of all of the others. The performances are uneven, the dialog bad, the characters did nothing to appeal to anyone, and the atmosphere was non-existent. Even the classic Pinhead character failed to develop and was shell of himself, with Stephan Smith Collins trying too hard to channel the definitive traits of Bradley. In the end, this is definitely one movie I could have done without and even as a huge fan of the franchise; I will never watch this one again. Stay away!

Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)

It been another crazy week. Between working late, more show, and softball practice, I have just felt run down. Now with the weekend upon us, it was time to get back at it, especially as I sit here watching the best show on television Hannibal. Next flick up for review, Hellraiser: Hellseeker from 2002. 

Plot/ A shady businessman attempts to piece together the details of the car crash that killed his wife and rendered him an amnesiac. Not to mention, leaving him in possession of a sinister puzzle box that summons more than anyone could imagine.

I will have to admit, while I not have any real expectations going into this movie, I must admit that I found it more interesting than I ever could have imagined. As a fan of this franchise, it is all over with intriguing storylines and uneven films, by there is always an originality factor that should be seen. This one boasts a darker atmosphere, decent acting, an interesting premise, and some solid connection points with the original classics. Yes, there are some flaws with the cinematography and some of the general filmmaking, but those are somewhat expected in direct to video entries. In the end, this one was much better than I expected and was rather entertaining. Give it a shot, you could do much worse. 

Hellraiser: Deader (2005)

The weekend has come and gone a it was back t the institute.  For some reason, we do not get President's Day off, and what I had often viewed as a three-day weekend near my birthday, is but a faded memory. Oh well, now I an preparing for the ice storm that should greet my birthday morning. Catching up from the weekend, the next selection if Hellraiser: Deader from 2005. 

Plot/ A journalist uncovers an underground group who can bring back the dead and slowly becomes drawn into their world. 

This was one of the more original Hellraiser sequels, although it is clearly evident that this project did not start or evolve from the mythos. The story is interesting, and felt as though it may have been better served without Hellraiser elements. Sure, there are some decent moments with Pinhead and his minions, although it would have made it closer to the mythos if they had been around more.The acting is solid, the atmosphere is decent and there was a lot to like. Even with the lack of Cenobites and Pinhead, this. one captured some of the darkness that made the first entries memorable, although it is somewhat difficult to call it a Hellraiser sequel. In the end, this is a solid movie when viewed as standalone horror flick vice being part of the Hellraiser franchise. Give it a shot it is interesting to watch. 

Hellraiser (1987)

Every now and then, I enjoy taking a trip back to my teenage years to re-watch some of the flicks that shaped my interest in horror, both in literature and on the big screen. While I intended to look deeper at the Friday the 13th franchise this week, I could not pass up the fact that the Clive Barker classic Hellraiser debuted in the UK today in 1987. Couple that with the fact that Barker has finally finished the much anticipated Scarlet Gospels and my interest to visit Pinhead was complete.

Plot/ An unfaithful wife encounters the zombie of her dead lover, who's being chased by demons after he escaped from their sado-masochistic Hell.

Growing up, I was a huge fan of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft and I spent most of my teenage years in the 1980s searching for an author that could take me on a journey into some of the dark depths that those two masters could. That search ended when I saw Hellraiser and discovered Clive Barker. In the era of the slasher, this was a cinematic trip that challenged ones mind. Complete with a tremendous mix of gore, storyline and atmosphere, this was so much more than the typical horror of the decade. Yes, some of the characterizations were off and the acting was so-so, but that was a small flaw in a horror masterpiece. In the end, Hellraiser was a groundbreaking horror flick that influenced a generation and opened my eyes to horror maestro Clive Barker. If you have not see this one, shame on you. It is a must for every horror fan.