Meanwhile, be sure to check out some of the more popular reviews already available:

A Nightmare on Elm Street (Infinifilm Edition)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (Soundtrack)
Day of the Dead
Demons
Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash #6
Friday the 13th: Bloodbath #1
Halloween (1978) (Divimax 25th Anniversary Edition)
Halloween: NightDance #2
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
Hatchet (Unrated Director’s Cut)
Saw (2-Disc Uncut Edition)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Grind #3

Friday the 13th: Abuser and the Abused #1
Written by Joshua Hale Fialkov
Art by Andy B.
Released: April 2008
Publisher: Wildstorm Publishing

Premise: Wildstorm Publishing continues their “House of Horror” titles based on New Line Cinema characters. A special one-shot! Maggie’s life was never easy, but her abusive new boyfriend has pushed her over the edge. As her life spirals out of control, she hits upon the solution to her problems: use the local urban legend to “solve” the problems in her life. But what happens when she learns there’s very little “legend” in the reality of Jason Voorhees?

Plot Breakdown (spoilers): Maggie, an abused teenage girl, begins a descent into madness, after the latest beating suffered at the hands of her boyfriend. The episode begins a downward spiral for Maggie, in which she murders her abusive parents and manipulates her boyfriend into driving her to Camp Crystal Lake. Once there, she plans on killing him, however Jason Voorhees arrives and does it for her, leaving her enraged. Maggie battles Jason; stabbing him repeatedly and using whatever is at her disposal as a weapon. It isn’t long before Jason gains the upper hand however, leaving Maggie at his mercy. In a desperate attempt to save her life, Maggie tries relating to Jason by telling him of her woes. Unfazed, Jason decapitates her, ending her murder spree and her life.

The Good: A simple tale, with many Friday elements; including brief nudity, bloodshed, and intense violence. The story is well written and pacing is acceptable, especially for such a short one-shot. Unlike previous Friday specials, this issue takes a chance with different artwork, primarily inspired by a 1950’s pop art style.

The Bad: Typical of Wildstorm’s Friday the 13th short stories, this issue is filler only – something to be read once and discarded. Although well written, it is much too difficult for the reader to care about Maggie or her situation, as the page length limits any kind of quality character buildup. The change in artwork manages to bring a fresh approach to the material; however this alone isn’t enough to justify buying the issue. Also, those who appreciate intense detailed artwork might be put off by the style used.

Final Comments: A filler issue, easily read and discarded. Artwork is solid, as is the writing – however nothing here offers anything of substance, especially for non-Friday fans.
Grade: C

Friday the 13th: Bloodbath #1
Written by Brian Pulido
Art by Mike Wolfer
Released: 2005
Publisher: Avatar Press

Premise: In 2005, Avatar Press began releasing titles from New Line Cinema’s “House of Horror” license, which includes A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Platinum Dune’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. To kick off their titles, Avatar released one-shot “special” issues serving as an introduction to the New Line characters and premises.

On the shore of pristine Crystal Lake lies the long-neglected Camp Tomorrow, badly in need of rehabilitation. Charged with reforming the camp, ten teenagers have come to the site with the hopes of earning a quick paycheck and partaking in the most decadent party-filled weekend of their lives. But as their first night of debauchery commences, they begin to learn, one by one, that their surprisingly common family backgrounds are a little too coincidental… And that their presence has reawakened the curse of Jason Voorhees! Striking forth from the shadows in an unrelenting orgy of blood, Jason will defend his territory at all costs, but is he truly the hunter or actually the prey in a much larger and more sinister plot?

Plot Breakdown (spoilers): Two hunters are killed by the monstrous Jason Voorhees, their bodies disemboweled and hung from a tree. Six months later, at “Camp Tomorrow”, a group of new camp counselors are going through orientation. The project manager, Kevin Carny, briefs the group on when repairs to the neglected grounds will begin and covers job expectations. Carny is also quick to announce that though there is a lot of work to do, the night is theirs to do with as they please. While the counselors pair off for the night, Carny is joined by Johnny “the handyman,” and the two monitor the group’s interactions. As time passes, the counselors find out from one another they have a great deal in common, one of which is they are all orphans. It isn’t long before Jason appears however, slaughtering the couples one by one. Carny and Johnny watch Jason from afar, pleased he has finally revealed himself. After visually confirming Jason’s appearance, Carny contacts a mysterious business woman, who praises Carny on his work and refers to him as “Mr. McClintock”. She approves of how “the plan” is proceeding and gives him approval to move forward.

The Good: A simple setup issue, with many familiar Friday the 13th elements. From the two kills at the beginning of the story, to the “campfire” way the counselors discuss Jason’s origin; this issue carries on the Friday slasher tradition – gore, nudity, and violence. Wolfer’s artwork is dynamic and solid, with just the right balance between action and detail. New or casual readers will find this premise easy to follow, effectively introducing comic book audiences to Jason Voorhees.

The Bad: Nothing in this issue really captures the reader’s attention. The story is formulaic and fails to engage the reader for the long haul, even when trying to introduce the “convert operation” subplot. Although Wolfer’s artwork is excellent, his exaggerated body types are somewhat generic, especially since most of the characters have similar-to-same features.

Final Comments: Basic setup issue for this three issue mini-series. Artwork and writing is solid, but overall, not very engaging.
Grade: C-

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Premise: Halloween: NightDance is a four issue mini-series based around the Halloween mythos, with Michael Myers haunting the small town of Russellville, Illinois. This series takes place within the new continuity set into motion with Halloween: H20 and Halloween: Resurrection.

Plot Breakdown (spoilers): While watching the day’s sunset, Lisa reluctantly recounts to Sean an incident with Daniel, the little boy who Lisa babysat two years prior in 1998. She and Daniel had gone for a walk one afternoon, and had come upon the house where the Russellville hacksaw incident happened years before. Daniel ran ahead of her and into the house, with Lisa chasing after him. After she entered the house, she noticed Daniel had fallen through a trap door in the floor, which led to the cellar. Lisa rushed to his aid to find him badly injured. Determining her options, she noticed a dark figure up at the cellar door. The figure closed the door and locked it, leaving the two youths trapped in the dark basement. Two days later, they were found, however Daniel would never fully recover physically from the ordeal. Two years later, Daniel still draws Lisa pictures, which Daniel’s mom leaves in her mailbox, though she refuses to speak to Lisa directly. Lisa notes her guilt, fear of darkness, and continuing nightmares stemming from the incident, while Sean comforts her. Meanwhile, at the Russellville hospital, nurses and policemen have an altercation outside the room of the unidentified girl Ryan had brought in earlier. She lies on the bed; her eyes wide open in terror. Later, Lisa and Sean return to Lisa’s house, where Lisa decides to take a shower. Before going upstairs, she mentions to Sean Nikki’s infatuation with him, and that he should call her. He agrees and tries to call Nikki, although he doesn’t get an answer. While redialing, Sean notices a blood trail in the kitchen and investigates. In the shower, Lisa ruminates on her earlier conversation with Sean and sees blood at her feet. Turning around, she sees a disemboweled cat on the shower floor. Lisa screams for Sean, jumps out of the shower, and comes face-to-face with a shape in the bathroom doorway: Michael Myers. Michael and Lisa stare at each other, until they are interrupted by Sean rushing up the stairs. Michael reaches out and grabs Sean by the neck, then throws him backward down the staircase. Lisa screams at Michael to get out, to which Michael complies. He walks down the stairs, past Sean, and disappears out the front door. Sean gets up and chases after him. Lisa, panicked by the confrontation, rushes to her room to get dressed and sees her wall is covered in the disturbing children’s drawings she’s been receiving lately, along with a smear of blood. After dressing, Lisa grabs a butcher knife from the kitchen and, realizing Myers was the same figure who locked her and Daniel in the basement those years ago, sets off for Daniel’s house, thinking Myers has come back to finish them off. When approaching Daniel’s front yard, she is stopped by Ryan, who reveals Daniel is his wife’s younger brother. Ryan informs Lisa no one is home and wants to know why she is there, with butcher knife in hand. Lisa shares her story and the photos she received earlier in the day, one of which is the picture of Judith Myers. Ryan, recognizing the picture of Judith, decides to try and force open the front door to the house. Upon gripping the door handle, he winces in pain, claiming the handle has been covered with razorblades. Meanwhile, Sean has followed Myers to the Russellville cemetery. He approaches a freshly dug grave and sees the dead body of Nikki. Before he can react however, Michael beats him to death with a shovel.

The Good: Seemingly unconnected events and characters intertwine this issue, pushing the story forward at an unexpected, welcomed pace. The artwork continues to be solid, as does the writing. Everything gels here, including the internal dialogue, which continues to be refreshing without it bogging down the story. Fans will find the bits of homage to the original Halloween welcoming, while casual readers will be drawn in by the story’s intricacies. Michael is more “in character” this issue too, being unpredictable without leaning too far outside of the norm. Lastly, this issue does what all comic books should do: leave you anticipating next issue.

The Bad: Very little. Michael’s way of killing Sean seems a bit of a stretch, but it does work overall. Otherwise, this issue works without a flaw.

Final Comments: Quality third issue, with excellent artwork and writing. Story elements begin to intertwine, making the story fresh and exciting.
Grade: A

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Friday the 13th (Special) #1
Written by Brian Pulido
Art by Mike Wolfer
Released: 2005
Publisher: Avatar Press

Premise: In 2005, Avatar Press began releasing titles from New Line Cinema’s “House of Horror” license, which includes A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Platinum Dune’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. To kick off their titles, Avatar released one-shot “special” issues serving as an introduction to the New Line characters and premises.

After the events of Freddy vs. Jason, Laura Upland has had it. She’s one of two squabbling siblings who have inherited the land Camp Crystal Lake was built on. Their latest stalemate is how to deal with the destruction done at the Crystal Lake Resorts. Laura KNOWS Jason Voorhees caused it. He is out there and until he’s done in, they won’t be able to sell those lucrative time-shares. Unknown to her brother Miles, she enacts a plan to kill Jason that will rip her family apart. Literally. Can a paramilitary group, armed to the teeth, survive against a supernatural unstoppable killing machine? Take a guess.

Plot Breakdown (spoilers): Mike and Pam are parked outside Crystal Lake, their van near the side of the road. While the couple engages in various sexual activities, a paramilitary group is hunting the supernatural killer Jason Voorhees nearby. As Jason appears and kills the soldiers one by one, it is revealed that two months ago, the owners of Crystal Lake, Laura and Miles, are facing bankruptcy as a result of the events in Freddy vs. Jason. Much of the equipment used to build their upcoming resort community was destroyed, all of which was uninsured. Laura, driven by revenge, hired the military group to take Jason down once and for all. Laura’s and Miles’s father had built the original Camp Crystal Lake and Laura despised Jason for destroying her father’s life work. While the soldiers are slaughtered, Laura monitors the scene from a helicopter flying above, remembering her vow to destroy Jason. Meanwhile, Mike and Pam, hearing the commotion, are forced to make a run for it after a dead soldier lands on their van, demolishing it. After the last of her soldiers are killed, Laura uses the chopper’s armaments against Jason; albeit to no avail. Jason responds by killing the helicopter’s pilot, forcing the chopper to crash into a nearby tree. Laura manages to escape the crash however, landing in Crystal Lake. From the lake, she challenges Jason, explaining her intense hatred to him. Jason doesn’t come after, and instead, causes the helicopter to come down on her, slicing her to ribbons. Later, as Mike and Pam walk down the road back to town, they are quickly decapitated by Jason, who had finally caught up to his intended prey.

The Good: This story seamlessly explains to the reader what Jason is all about; all while tying the events in with Freddy vs. Jason. Jason-based stories easily fit the comic book medium, and this story proves to be no exception. Writing is solid here, as is Wolfer’s artwork – which is clean and detailed. A lot of violence, gore, and nudity make up this tale, sure to make Friday fans happy.

The Bad: Like the other Avatar specials, while this issue is entertaining, it really doesn’t offer long term interest. New ideas are presented, but can’t be fully developed because of the page constraint, leaving the reader wanting. New or casual readers might be put off by this however, an overall throwaway tale.

Final Comments: Friday the 13th (Special) #1 is a fine introductory issue, introducing new readers to Jason Voorhees. Friday fans will enjoy this story; however casual readers might feel indifferent overall.
Grade: B

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Demons 3: The Ogre
Tagline: What happens when the nightmares of your childhood suddenly become reality?
Released: 1991
Starring Virginia Bryant, David Flosi, Patrizio Vinci
Directed by Lamberto Bava
Written by Lamberto Bava, Dardano Sacchetti

Format: DVD
Distributed by Shriek Show
Released: August 19, 2003

Features:
Trailer
Interview with Lamberto Bava

Premise: Cheryl, a best-selling author of horror novels, goes on vacation with her family to an ancient villa in the Italian countryside. Legend has it the villa is said to be cursed, and very soon, Cheryl realizes that the hideous ogre that haunted her dreams as a child is alive and living in the basement of this very house. She becomes obsessed with his presence but fails to convince anyone else that he exists. It’s not until the ogre kills the babysitter and kidnaps Cheryl’s child that it becomes apparent that the stories she writes are becoming reality.

Plot Breakdown (spoilers): Ever since she was a child, Cheryl has had frequent nightmares of a fiendish ogre dwelling in the basement of a stately European castle. Years after the nightmares, Cheryl has now become a world famous horror author, and lives in Italy with her husband Tom and son Bobby. While on vacation in the Italian countryside, Cheryl and her family take up residence in an old Italian villa… that seems to look all too familiar to Cheryl. Now the nightmares of her childhood are coming true, as the monster in the basement of the villa begins to make its presence known. Cheryl must now find a way to stop the beast before it can harm her family.

The Good: Fans of the first two Demons films should not be fooled by this film’s title. Demons 3 is in no way related to its predecessors in terms of plot, mood, or themes. The only resemblance to the previous entries is that Lamberto Bava lensed this film. Demons 3 is more of a gothic thriller, rather than the fast paced, gory spectacle of the first two.

Given the moodier tone of this entry, Bava directs the film with an eye for the gothic and atmospheric appeal of the ancient architecture in which the film takes place. Sweeping outdoor shots capture the beauty of the Italian countryside and the old villa that serves as the setting, while the moody interior scenes show off the ancient, lived-in look of the building. Bava utilizes these shots to really instill a sense of dread of an insidious evil lurking in the shadows. The film really plays upon the fear of evil dwelling in the home, a place which we usually think of as our safest haven. Very little is explained about the ogre’s origins and motives, which helps add to the sense of mystery in the film, although it can be a double-edged sword.

A slower-paced film like this needs suspense to keep viewers interested. Thankfully Demons 3 delivers in this respect. There a several scenes where Cheryl encounters, what appears to be, signs of the Ogre’s presence, such as a handprint in the dust on a window. This may sound mundane, but when combined with the tense atmosphere and appropriate musical cues, it makes for decent suspense and a palpable sense of the unknown. One memorable scene in particular involves Cheryl encountering desiccated corpses while underwater, echoing the opening scene of Argento’s Inferno.

Though Demons 3 may not have the gore of its predecessors, it still contains some gruesome creature effects. The ogre itself is a sight to behold, its twisted visage consisting of jutting gums and teeth and a lower jaw that flicks back and forth. Strangely enough, the ogre is dressed in a Renaissance gentleman’s attire, perhaps suggesting just how long he has existed in that castle. There is also a slimy cocoon that the ogre comes out of, which pulsates and drips with a green, puss-like substance. The cocoon’s sound effects alone are nauseating, with wet squelching sounds that will surely destroy some appetites.

The acting in this movie is surprisingly above average for being in a dubbed Italian film. The primary characters deliver their lines with enough life and emphasis to make one forget that dubbing even took place. The child actor, while not great, is good enough to not be nearly as annoying as child actors usually are in dubbed films.

This DVD release comes with a brief filmed interview with Lamberto Bava. The interview reveals some interesting information on the making of the film, such as the process of creating the film’s atmosphere and setting, and why Bava chose some of the actors. Despite the brevity of the segment, it is still a good watch for those interested in learning some additional background tidbits about the film.

The Bad: Despite the effectiveness of the suspense that was previously mentioned, there isn’t a whole lot of it to go around. A lot of this stems from the film’s plot and pacing. Several scenes are largely redundant or filler, such as Tom and Bob getting lost in the woods, and a strange yet amusing run-in with a cow. The same nightmare that is shown at the beginning is repeated several more times throughout the film. Though some twists are added each time it is shown, far too much of the sequence is repeated each time, which hurts the suspense. A large portion of the film is dedicated to Cheryl arguing with her husband Tom, who refuses to believe her claims that an ogre lives in the basement. These scenes pop up way too much throughout the film and become annoyingly redundant.

Though the film does benefit from leaving us in the dark on the ogre’s origins, there are still some basic questions that viewers may want to have answered, such as why Cheryl is having the dreams and why the Ogre chose her, of all people. The only known motive of the ogre is a pretty weak one, which involves the ogre’s affinity for the scent of orchids.

Once the ogre’s physical presence becomes front and center in the second half of the film, much of the creepiness of the creature is vanquished. The ogre is shown in the light way too often, which makes it easier to notice the low budget and detracts from the hideousness of the creature. Cheapness is made more apparent, especially when the ogre starts running in plain view across a victim’s front lawn, making him look less like a fearsome ogre and more like a heavily-costumed trick-or-treater, who is eager for some delicious candy. The way in which the ogre is dispatched is hilarious in how embarrassing it is to the poor creature, and leads into an overly happy ending.

Aside from the interview mentioned earlier, the only other special feature on the DVD is a trailer. No featurettes or commentaries are included, making for a rather bare-bones release to say the least.

Final Thoughts: If one goes into this film expecting to see another gruesome action-horror romp like the first two Demons films, then they will surely be disappointed. Demons 3 ultimately succeeds in being mostly a competent, yet flawed, gothic thriller.
Grade: C (film) | D (DVD release)

- by contributing reviewer Chris Neville

Format: DVD
Distributed by New Line Cinema
DVD Release Date: September 26, 2006

Features:
Remastered Picture – Restored from the original film negative
Dolby Digital 5.1-EX Surround sound and DTS-ES 6.1 surround sound

All-Access Pass:
“Never Sleep Again” – The making of A Nightmare on Elm Street

Beyond the Movie:
“The House That Freddy Built: The Legacy of New Line Horror”
“Night Terrors: The Origin of Wes Craven’s Nightmares”

Infinifilm Interactive Features:
Pop-up prompts, Nightmare Fact Track and video clips
Exclusive Infinifilm ROM content

Additional Features:
Feature length commentary with Wes Craven, Bob Shaye (Producer/New Line Founder), Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Amanda Wyss, Ronee Blakley, Sara Risher (New Line Co-Producer)
Archived audio commentary with Wes Craven, Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, and cinematographer Jacques Haitkin
Alternative Endings
Trivia Challenge
Theatrical Trailer

Premise: Dig your claws into the chilling masterpiece that spawned the greatest horror franchise in film history – now remastered and featuring hours of new Infinifilm extras. Starring Robert Englund as infamous horror icon Freddy Krueger, this “insomnia-inducing” (Kirk Ellis, The Hollywood Reporter) original from director Wes Craven “goes straight to the heart of terror” (Jim Emerson, Seattle Times).

When her best friend Tina is brutally murdered, teenager Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) suspects the killer isn’t Tina’s boyfriend but rather a much more horrifying figure from her dreams. Convinced that this vicious murderer is stalking her friends and killing them as they sleep, Nancy enters a desperate race against time to bring him out of dream world and stop the bloodbath… before she falls asleep and becomes his next victim!

Plot Breakdown (spoilers): Fifteen-year-old girl Tina Grey (Amanda Wyss) has a disturbing nightmare in which she is being stalked through a dark boiler room by a figure with distinctive razor-sharp knives for fingers on his right hand. Just as he catches her however, she wakes up screaming, only to discover four razor cuts in her nightdress identical to the cuts in her dream. The next day, she finds out that her friend Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) experienced the same dream. That night, Tina, Nancy and Nancy’s boyfriend Glen Lantz (Johnny Depp) have a sleep-over to make a distraught Tina feel better. Tina’s rebellious boyfriend, Rod Lane, crashes the party and goes to bed with Tina in her mother’s bedroom. Later that night, Tina has another nightmare, and this time the killer catches her and brutally murders her. Rod wakes up to find Tina being cut open by invisible knives and then dragged across the ceiling. Rod, being the only other person in the room at the time, is suspected of the killing, and is arrested the next day by Nancy’s father Donald Thompson (John Saxon), a police lieutenant.

Later, Nancy has three sadistically violent nightmares where she is viciously stalked, then attacked by the same terrifying figure that attacked Tina. These nightmares lead her to talk to Rod in prison, who tells her what he saw in Tina’s mother’s bedroom. Much to the dismay of her mother Marge (Ronee Blakley), Nancy becomes increasingly convinced that the figure appearing in her dreams is the same person who killed Tina. After having a prophetic dream in which the horrific figure visits Rod in jail, Nancy, and a skeptical Glen, rush to the police station in the middle of the night to check on him, only to find that he’s been strangled by his own bed sheets. To everyone except Nancy, it appears to be a suicide.

In an effort to help her daughter, Nancy’s mother takes her to a dream therapy clinic to ensure she gets some sleep. Once again, she has a horrendous nightmare. This time, her arm is badly cut, but she finds that she has brought something out from her dream: the killer’s battered hat. It arouses concern, but also other feelings in Nancy’s mother, who is clearly hiding a secret. Eventually, Marge, increasingly drink-sodden, reveals to Nancy that the owner of the hat, and the killer, was a man named Fred Krueger (Robert Englund), a child murderer who killed at least twenty children over a decade earlier. Furious, vengeful parents burned him alive in his boiler room hideout when he was released from prison on a technicality. Now, it appears he is manipulating the dreams of their children to exact his revenge from beyond the grave. Nancy’s mother reassures her that Krueger can’t hurt anyone, pulling Krueger’s knife-fingered glove from a hiding place in the furnace, reinforcing this supposed fact.

After days of not sleeping, Nancy devises a plan with Glen to catch Krueger. However, Glen succumbs to sleep and is viciously killed by being sucked into his bed and shot back up in a fountain of blood. Later that same night, Nancy, convinced she can carry Krueger out of her nightmare like she did the hat, sets various booby traps throughout her house, all while her mother sleeps from her consistent drinking. When ready, Nancy falls asleep and confronts Krueger, successfully holding onto him as she awakens. Nancy is then left alone with Freddy after pulling him into the real world. She runs through her house and forces him into the booby traps she had set earlier, effectively battering the supernatural killer. After setting Freddy on fire, Nancy locks him in the basement, and finally gets her skeptical father and the police to help. When arriving on the scene, they find Freddy has escaped and follow his fiery footsteps that lead upstairs. As Nancy and her father find the footsteps’ endpoint, they witness Freddy smothering Marge with his flaming body, disappearing to leave her corpse to sink into the bed and fade away. After sending her father out of the room, Nancy turns her back on the horrific scene and calls to Krueger, knowing he’s still there and that she is still dreaming. Freddy rises back up from the bed and threatens to kill her. In response, Nancy faces down Krueger and turns her back on him, draining him of all energy and destroying him. She then leaves her mother’s bedroom and appears outside her house, unaffected from the events of the last few weeks. Marge soon joins her daughter at the front door and sends her off to school with her seemingly alive friends, who had just driven up in Glen’s car. When Nancy gets into the car, the doors lock, trapping her inside. Freddy possesses Glen’s car and makes him and the gang drive away, with Nancy screaming for help at her indifferent mother. As Marge watches the car drive off, Freddy’s gloved hand bursts through the door’s window and pulls her through.

The Good: A Nightmare on Elm Street is a true modern horror classic. Wes Craven’s humanities influence is easily recognizable here, as he utilized many different themes to weave this terrifying tale – including revenge, guilt, tragedy, isolation, secrecy, inner-strength, and the supernatural. The premise of the film, which not necessarily original, was executed in a way unlike any horror films before. Whereas most villains of the time were comparable to the “person next door”, Fred Krueger was given a distinct look, weapon, and ability. Instead of the victim’s physical self being at the forefront, the human condition carries and drives the story. And although physical violence is portrayed, the psychological strain bares an unexpected, nerve-biting element not found in the usual film.

The direction style Craven used in A Nightmare on Elm Street is very energetic, which doesn’t leave time for the audience to let down their guard. The cast all perform well, especially Langenkamp, whose portrayal of Nancy Thompson grounds the film and gives the premise credibility. In combination with the horrific dream/effects sequences, solid production, and Charles Bernstein’s dreamy but lively score, A Nightmare on Elm Street’s effectiveness is undeniable.

This terrific DVD release is part of New Line Cinema’s new “Infinifilm” line, which provides the viewer with an interactive experience when watching the film. While the film plays, popup menus appear that allow viewers to choose among relating interview or alternate scene snippets, giving extra insight for scenes or concepts. Some never-seen-before alternate/deleted footage is included in these snippets, and most of the interview segments are new, recorded especially for this DVD.

The restored film transfer here is stunning, with bright and crisp colors, superior in quality to that of previous releases. The film’s soundtrack has also been remixed, giving a different take on the familiar track. Many specials fill this set, which provide in-depth information regarding the film’s making-of and its impact. Never Sleep Again tracks, in great detail, the genesis of the film through its successful theatrical release, narrated by the various parties involved, including Wes Craven, Bob Shaye, Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, and many more. The House That Freddy Built provides a great history overview of New Line Cinema and the impact Nightmare has had for the company, followed by their other horror properties. The Nightmare on Elm Street Companion provided most of the merchandise filmed for this featurette. Night Terrors is a fine look at Wes Craven’s inspiration for the film, along with comments from various experts regarding the nature and context of dreams.

The new commentary included here is taken from the various interview segments found on Never Sleep Again, presented in a forum format. In addition to the new commentary, the archived commentary from the 1996 Elite laserdisc edition has also been included. The Fact Track provides various fun facts regarding the film and actors, and the trivia game includes questions regarding the film and its sequels, mostly taken from the specials and the Nightmare on Elm Street Companion. Rounding out the features for this set is the film’s theatrical trailer and the film’s three alternate endings, the Freddy ending being a personal request of mine for the fans.

The Bad: This DVD release, while excellent overall, does have some slight problems. While the film transfer is wonderful quality, it loses the darkness of previous transfers, which causes some scenes to be not as scary or dramatic. The remixed soundtrack loses some of the sound effects used in the original track, and in some scenes, Bernstein’s score has been softened – all of which causing some scenes to lose their urgency.

While this set does provide never-seen-before footage, it would have been better for it to include all the alternate/deleted footage available, especially that which is found on the Elite anniversary laserdisc. In addition to the available TV spots and script/storyboard revisions, this set could have been more complete.

Final Comments: The Infinifilm DVD edition of A Nightmare on Elm Street is an excellent release, providing an interactive experience for its audience. Never-seen-before footage, new interviews, and informative featurettes have something for everyone, fans and novices alike.
Grade: A (film) | A (DVD release)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (Special) #1
Written by Brian Pulido
Art by Juan Jose Ryp
Released: 2005
Publisher: Avatar Press

Premise: In 2005, Avatar Press began releasing titles from New Line Cinema’s “House of Horror” license, which includes A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Platinum Dune’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. To kick off their titles, Avatar released one-shot “special” issues serving as an introduction to the New Line characters and premises.

After the events of Freddy vs. Jason, the adults of Springwood have turned the town into a police state, out to suppress any knowledge of Freddy so their kids don’t keep dying. If teens are afraid of Freddy he can invade their dreams and murder them, but as a lost secret, he is powerless. Emily, a rebellious teen and aspiring journalist wants to blow the lid off Springwood’s secret and tell it to the world. When her best friend Lindsay is abducted by police, Emily enlists aid from Alex and Sandy that leads them to Westin Hills Psychiatric Center. As Freddy hunts them one by one, Emily comes closer to the truth. Will she survive to tell it? This is bleeding-edge horror as only Lady Death creator Brian Pulido can deliver it with art by detail master, super-star Juan Jose Ryp.

Plot Breakdown (spoilers): At Springwood High School, Lindsay awakens from a Freddy influenced nightmare in class, frightening the other classmates and her friend, Emily. Before anyone can react however, two men in black suits escort Lindsay out of class. Emily, worried for her friend, finds Lindsay’s brother Alex and tells him of Lindsay’s “episode.” Joined by mutual friend Sandy, the three friends witness an unmarked van leaving the school in haste, the passengers recognized by Emily as the men who were last seen with Lindsay. Emily coerces Alex into taking in his car, insistent that they follow them. The trio covertly follows and watches the unmarked van drive to Westin Hills, where Alex and Emily later sneak inside, leaving Sandy to watch over Alex’s car. After nightfall, Sandy falls asleep waiting for her two friends to return. While dreaming, she is confronted by Krueger, who uses her love of food against her by making her balloon and popping her, resulting in a gore-filled bloodbath. Meanwhile, Emily and Alex search the institution for Lindsay and find her sedated with the other comatose patients from Freddy vs. Jason. Emily, horrified, takes pictures of the scene, just as Lindsay is killed in her sleep. While Emily takes the pictures, Alex panics and tries to find pills to calm him in the next room. In his rush, he begins swallowing whatever pills he can find, which causes him to lose consciousness and die at Freddy’s hands. Emily, trying to elude the Westin Hills staff, quickly finds a computer terminal where she tries to upload her pictures to the internet and warn others about what is happening in Springwood. The Westin Hills staff cut the power however, and confronts Emily about what she knows. An attendant explains that her actions could have unleashed Freddy upon the world and that it is Springwood’s responsibility to keep him contained, their actions justified. While the attendant talks with Emily, one of the nurses injects her with a drug that forces her to fall asleep, and subsequently die in her nightmare. The Westin Hills attendant destroys Emily’s camera, commenting that “she brought this on herself.” In the dreamworld, Freddy gloats and remarks he’s been away from his kids for far too long.

The Good: This issue effectively picks up from Freddy vs. Jason, carrying on the Nightmare themes touched on in that film. The artwork is exceptionally detailed and gore fans will love the characters’ bloody fates. Freddy is efficiently kept in the background too, leaving the central characters to drive the story. Dialogue is believable here and the ethics behind the cover-up subplot brings an interesting spin for those not familiar with the Nightmare mythos.

The Bad: While the story is acceptable, it suffers from pacing problems. Perhaps the most glaring is how quickly the characters fall asleep, as the timing of events does not successfully mesh with the sleeping factor. The artwork, which is excellent, does unrealistically portray the (supposedly) teenage girls. Both Emily and Lindsay look too model-esque for it to be believable. Other minor issues surround coloring, as Freddy’s sweater is not consistent; sometimes being red with green stripes, then others being green with red stripes.

Final Comments: A Nightmare on Elm Street (Special) #1 is an adequate introductory issue for those unfamiliar with Freddy Krueger. Classic Nightmare themes are presented in flashy and gory ways. Pacing is a problem however, and some readers might not take the premise or characters seriously.
Grade: B-

- Cover Gallery -

Demons
Tagline: They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs.
Released: 1985
Starring Urbando Barberini, Natasha Hovey, Karl Zinny, and Fiore Argento
Directed by Lamberto Bava
Written by Dario Argento, Lamberto Bava, Franco Ferrini, and Dardano Sacchetti

Format: DVD
Distributed by Anchor Bay
DVD Release Date: September 25, 2007

Features:
Anamorphic Widescreen Presentation
Dolby Surround 5.1, Dolby Surround 2.0
Audio Commentary with Director Lamberto Bava, Mechanical and Transformation artist Sergio Stivaletti, and journalist Loris Curci
Behind the Scenes Footage
Trailers

Premise: They will make cemeteries their cathedrals and the cities will be your tombs! In 1985, Italian horror masters Dario Argento and Lamberto Bava unleashed this landmark splatter shocker about a group of strangers invited to a sneak preview at a mysterious movie theater, only to be trapped inside and transformed one-by-one into carnage-crazed monsters. It’s a one-of-a-kind combination of creepy terror and relentless gore-orgy, featuring a pounding soundtrack of ‘80s metal, a throbbing score by Claudio Simonetti (SUSPIRIA), and gut-churning special effects by Sergio Stivaletti (CEMETARY MAN, PHENOMENA). This is DEMONS as you’ve never seen it before, with every blood-drenched frame now fully remastered for the ultimate in ooze-spewing, flesh-flaying, spine-ripping madness!

Plot Breakdown: When Cheryl and her friend Kathy arrive in a subway station, they come across a mysterious man in a metal mask handing out flyers advertising the opening of a new theater. The two friends decide to visit the theater, where they sit down to a horror film along with a small group of other moviegoers. Meanwhile, a prostitute who cut herself on a metal mask hanging in the lobby goes to the bathroom to inspect her wound. Her cut festers and mutates, turning her into a ravenous demon that is able to transform others into demons with just a scratch. The demon plague spreads rapidly, forcing the desperate moviegoers to fight for their lives against a legion of hell-spawned beasts. With the help of two young men, George and Ken, Cheryl and Kathy must find a way to escape the madness before they too become hideous demons.

The Good: Demons is one of the most memorable Italian splatter films to come along in quite some time, and for good reason. The twisted minds of Lamberto Bava and Dario Argento joined forces to create this insane and gory film, which combines enough black comedy and gruesome effects to satisfy any gore hound or horror fan.

This is one of those films that has endless replay value, due primarily to its brisk pace and wildly entertaining set pieces. Once the demons break loose and the madness begins, viewers will likely never be bored. One scene in particular involves a katana, a motorcycle, and a hero trying desperately to protect his girl from a horde of demons. It’s safe to say where things go from there. Add on top of that a helicopter propeller decapitating and maiming a group of encroaching demons, and other such insanity, and you have a film that is sure to demand multiple viewings for how much sheer fun that it is to watch.

Given the unrated nature of this DVD release, Bava and Argento’s gory vision can be viewed in all of its bloody glory. The unfortunate patrons of this doomed theater suffer all sorts of cruel fates, including a torn out throat, gouged out eyes, a brutal scalping, and much more. The demon transformation scenes are particularly gruesome, complete with growing, bleeding fingernails and teeth falling out to make way for crooked fangs. The effects in these transformation scenes are particularly well-executed and eerily convincing, exemplifying the virtues of practical effects in skilled hands.

Despite the complete silliness of the proceedings, Demons is not without its fair share of suspense. The linchpin of the film’s plot involves a group of movie patrons who’ve holed themselves up in a movie theater while holding a horde of demons at bay. There’s a palpable sense of dread when watching these hapless victims try desperately to escape this supernatural terror, which has literally walled them in the theater. One of the biggest nail-biters involves a couple trying to escape through an air conditioning duct.

A crazy Italian horror film is not the same without an equally crazy soundtrack, and thankfully this movie delivers in this area. Old-school heavy metal fans such as myself, will adore this film’s soundtrack, which includes such classic bands as Accept and Saxon.

The DVD features on this release are pretty slim, but it does contain an informative commentary with Bava, special effects artist Sergio Stivaletti, and journalist Loris Curci. This commentary provides some interesting behind the scenes and background information on the film.

The Bad: While the film’s plot makes more sense than the absurd sequel, there are still some plot holes that are more like astral voids. It is never clearly explained just who walled the moviegoers in to the theater, and how they did it. I guess those demons must be skilled masons. Even more puzzling is that the mask that causes this whole mess is displayed in the theater lobby for anyone to touch, proving that the theater owners are not too concerned with the liability of a demon outbreak. I guess that’s why they had the katana also on display in the lobby, as a blatant Chekhov’s gun. I was almost expecting to see a sign that read “in case of demon outbreak, take katana.”

Some parts of the plot seemed incomplete, especially the subplot concerning a car full of crack heads driving towards the theater. Their lack of purpose in the overall plot leaves me to wonder if more was written for them in the original script, but was eventually cut.

Perhaps the films biggest flaw however, is the spastic editing. Scenes will jump from one non-sequitur to another without any rhyme or reason, going from inside the theater to the punks in the car and back. This excessive chopping up of scenes hurts the suspense, and often leaves scenes feeling incomplete.

As mentioned before, the DVD features are pretty scant. Aside from the commentary, we get a preposterously brief behind-the-scenes footage segment. Hardcore fans of the film may find the segment to be interesting, but it ends too quickly and leaves one wanting.

Final Thoughts: Demons is one of those films whose many positives easily outshine its negatives. The plot may not make much sense, and the editing may be sloppy, but fans of carnage-ridden horror films will have a blast regardless. Demons is required viewing for all fans of splatter films.
Grade: B (film) | C (DVD)

- by contributing reviewer Chris Neville