Post by Mark (Webmaster) on Nov 22, 2004 13:40:54 GMT
Children of the Corn Trilogy Digipack Boxset
(Anchor Bay UK)
*** BUY BOXSET FROM AMAZON WITH BIG DISCOUNT ***
Picture: 1.85:1 Anamorphic
Sound: Dolby Digital: stereo 2.0, optional 5.1 and DTS surround sound
Discs: 3
Region: 2
Features: See individual titles;
[glow=red,2,300]CHILDREN OF THE CORN[/glow]
Story: CHILDREN OF THE CORN stars Linda Hamilton (Dante's Peak; The Terminator), Peter Horton (2 Days In The Valley; thirtysomething), John Franklin (The Addams Family) and Courtney Gains (Sweet Home Alambama; Back To The Future). Travelling through Nebraska, Burt (Horton) and Vicky (Hamilton) stop in a small town to report the death of a child on the highway. There, they discover something strange about the community: all the grownups are gone, and the children seem to belong to a strange cult. What's worse, it's a cult that sacrifices adults to the dreadful "He Who Walks Behind The Rows".
Review: Save for some neat acting from the kids (John Franklin as Isaac and Courtney Gains as Malachai are particular good and carry the movie well) there really isn¡¦t too much to recommend this one. Linda Hamilton and Peter Horton do the best they can with the trite dialogue and Kiersch shows some Hitchcockian grace with the violence but I came away feeling slighlt unsatisfied. Maybe I¡¦m being too cruel because there are some memorable set-pieces (particular an Evil Dead-esque moment when Horton¡¦s character gets attacked in a corn field) but it¡¦s just not enough to rescue a film that could¡¦ve been so much more. It takes itself too seriously to be scary but considering it¡¦s low budget you could argue it¡¦s moderately effective.
The DVD
Picture: Images are clear and well defined without being too soft and there are no blemishes whatsoever which is astounding considering the age of the film. I did see some grain in the some of the darker scenes although the out and out night time scenes were pretty clear. The film is also presented in its correct widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (enhanced in an anamorphic format for widescreen tv's) unlike the previously released UK versions.
Sound: If there's one thing that the movie has going for it it's a good sound design, especially during the scare sequences or tense moments. The central channels get the biggest work (audio is always audible though) out but the rears work a charm during the thunderous climax.
Menu: Atmospheric animated menus which have become a staple of AB¡¦s repertoire. Not quite Evil Dead or Hellraiser but effective.
Special Features.
Audio commentary by director Fritz Kiersch, producer Terrence Kirkby and actors John Franklin and Courtney Gains: I really enjoyed this talk track. Scenes, filming, cut scenes and casting are all given mention and there's a nice relaxed atmosphere. So relaxed in fact that the commentary recording starts before they're all ready! It made that little bit of difference and provided enough info to make it worth listening too. I enjoyed this more than the actual movie it has to be said.
"Harvesting Horror: Children Of The Corn" featurette (37mins): An all-new documentary that gives a really good analysis of the movie and it¡¦s cult following (leading to it's many sequels) with new input from director Kirsch and actors Gains and Franklin. Although I wasn't too keen on the movie overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it. Another stella effort from AB.
Galleries: This section has three slideshows; ¡¥Kids Artwork¡¦, ¡¦Original Storyboads¡¦ and ¡¥ Posters and Production Stills¡¦. The Kids gallery is a showcase of all the artwork used in the opening title sequence and it¡¦s nice to get a good look at each drawing, I enjoyed this the most. The ¡¥Original Storyboards¡¦ are a nice addition if slightly half-hearted and the Poster/Stills gallery is bit limp with only two posters (one bizarrely renaming the film ¡¥horror Kid¡¦) and a load of unspectacular stills from the movie with very little attention given to the behind the scenes work.
Summary:
Film: 3/5 ¡V Good premise let down by a poor script and flat direction.
Picture: 3.5/5 ¡V The grain in the darker scenes let¡¦s this down but otherwise excellent
Sound: 4/5 ¡V 5.1 mix is nicely done with good distribution between the channels.
Extras: 4/5 ¡V Nice collection with an interesting commentary and a great documentary.
Overall package: 3/5 Possessed Cheryls ¡V saved by a worthy re-mastered edition with an excellent accompanying documentary shame about the film. File under wasted opportunity but a great collectors edition for the movie's fans.
[glow=red,2,300]CHILDREN OF THE CORN II: THE FINAL SACRIFICE
[/glow]
Picture: 1.85:1 Anamorphic and a 4:3 version
Sound: Dolby Digital: stereo 2.0, optional 5.1 and DTS 5.1 surround sound
Story: CHILDREN OF THE CORN II: THE FINAL SACRIFICE picks up the story three years after the events of the first film. Following the discovery of the murder victims' bodies, the neighbouring townsfolk of Hemingford agree to shelter the traumatised children, unaware that they are opening their doors to a force that will threaten their very existence. Once again, the evil power of "He Who Walks Behind The Rows" is resurrected to command the children to rise up and rid the land of the adults who defile the sacred corn.
Review: If the first one took itself too seriously then this one just has fun! Making good use of the new town with some creative killings, a faster pace and some stylised violence, TO DIE FOR 2 director David Price looks to impress where the first failed.
There's a nice macabre performance from new leader of the Gatlin kids played by then soap star Ryan Bollman (even if he lacks the obscure look that set John Franklin's Isaac apart in the first film) and has a suitably over the top, typically nineties, explosive finale. It¡¦s nothing sopecial but it¡¦s got enough to keep b-movie fans happy and is certainly more entertaining then the original.
In conclusion just take this film for what it is, a fun b-movie romp with the highly stylised look all early-90s horror movies seemed to have at the time.
The DVD
Picture: this version comes in a 4:3 format and a 1.78:1 version with 16x9 widescreen enhancement. Take your pick but the widescreen version is a great improvement over previous UK releases. The print is bright and clear with no blemishes but has an excessive amount of grain in some scenes.
Sound: Can you believe the range of mixes available here? Fantastic treatment from AB. The sound design is a little more bombastic, typical of the mid nineties, so in the 5.1 mix the subwoofer gets a full workout with the rear channels used at every chance. Nice mix. Unable to check the DTS mix but a stereo 2.0 surround mix is also included.
Menu: Nice collection of stills from the movie on an animated background using elements of the originals score. Also note the audio is in 5.1 stereo. Nice touch.
Special Features:
Audio commentary by director David Price and star Ryan Bollman: Very entertaining talk track from the film-makers here. The commentary also features Leprechaun writer/director Mark Jones (for reasons not entirely clear although it is mentioned he was offered COTC III) and is moderated by Blue Underground's David Gregory. There's little room for thought as no stone is left unturned with each commenting with more than a little humour whilst revealing a ton of trivia. The flow is kept going by Gregory and Jones provides both the most amusing and most annoying moments. Incidentally this was recorded especially for this UK exlcusive release. You'll love this.
Trailer: Billed as a theatrical trailer it comes across more as the made for video trailer it was before Miramax bought the movie and distributed it theatrically. It's typical of this style and features the film under it's original subtitle of ¡¥Deadly Harvest¡¦.
Biographies: Short biogs of director David Price and producer Terence Knox. Interesting yet forgettable and suspiciously no bio for star Ryan Bollman.
Production Stills: Standard collection of on set stills. Nothing glamourous or particularly interesting.
Summary:
Film: 3.5/5 ¡V Highly enjoyable sequel.
Picture: 3.5/5 ¡V Again it¡¦s the grain that lets it down.
Sound: 4/5 ¡V 5.1 mix is nicely done with good distribution between the channels.
Extras: 3/5 ¡V The commentary saves this from a 2 rating here. It¡¦s a great addition but nothing else worthy.
Overall package: 3/5 Possessed Cheryls ¡V enjoyable sequel with a great sound mix and brilliant audio commentary.
REVIEW CONTINUED IN PART 2.....
(Anchor Bay UK)
*** BUY BOXSET FROM AMAZON WITH BIG DISCOUNT ***
Picture: 1.85:1 Anamorphic
Sound: Dolby Digital: stereo 2.0, optional 5.1 and DTS surround sound
Discs: 3
Region: 2
Features: See individual titles;
[glow=red,2,300]CHILDREN OF THE CORN[/glow]
Story: CHILDREN OF THE CORN stars Linda Hamilton (Dante's Peak; The Terminator), Peter Horton (2 Days In The Valley; thirtysomething), John Franklin (The Addams Family) and Courtney Gains (Sweet Home Alambama; Back To The Future). Travelling through Nebraska, Burt (Horton) and Vicky (Hamilton) stop in a small town to report the death of a child on the highway. There, they discover something strange about the community: all the grownups are gone, and the children seem to belong to a strange cult. What's worse, it's a cult that sacrifices adults to the dreadful "He Who Walks Behind The Rows".
Review: Save for some neat acting from the kids (John Franklin as Isaac and Courtney Gains as Malachai are particular good and carry the movie well) there really isn¡¦t too much to recommend this one. Linda Hamilton and Peter Horton do the best they can with the trite dialogue and Kiersch shows some Hitchcockian grace with the violence but I came away feeling slighlt unsatisfied. Maybe I¡¦m being too cruel because there are some memorable set-pieces (particular an Evil Dead-esque moment when Horton¡¦s character gets attacked in a corn field) but it¡¦s just not enough to rescue a film that could¡¦ve been so much more. It takes itself too seriously to be scary but considering it¡¦s low budget you could argue it¡¦s moderately effective.
The DVD
Picture: Images are clear and well defined without being too soft and there are no blemishes whatsoever which is astounding considering the age of the film. I did see some grain in the some of the darker scenes although the out and out night time scenes were pretty clear. The film is also presented in its correct widescreen aspect ratio of 1.85:1 (enhanced in an anamorphic format for widescreen tv's) unlike the previously released UK versions.
Sound: If there's one thing that the movie has going for it it's a good sound design, especially during the scare sequences or tense moments. The central channels get the biggest work (audio is always audible though) out but the rears work a charm during the thunderous climax.
Menu: Atmospheric animated menus which have become a staple of AB¡¦s repertoire. Not quite Evil Dead or Hellraiser but effective.
Special Features.
Audio commentary by director Fritz Kiersch, producer Terrence Kirkby and actors John Franklin and Courtney Gains: I really enjoyed this talk track. Scenes, filming, cut scenes and casting are all given mention and there's a nice relaxed atmosphere. So relaxed in fact that the commentary recording starts before they're all ready! It made that little bit of difference and provided enough info to make it worth listening too. I enjoyed this more than the actual movie it has to be said.
"Harvesting Horror: Children Of The Corn" featurette (37mins): An all-new documentary that gives a really good analysis of the movie and it¡¦s cult following (leading to it's many sequels) with new input from director Kirsch and actors Gains and Franklin. Although I wasn't too keen on the movie overall I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it. Another stella effort from AB.
Galleries: This section has three slideshows; ¡¥Kids Artwork¡¦, ¡¦Original Storyboads¡¦ and ¡¥ Posters and Production Stills¡¦. The Kids gallery is a showcase of all the artwork used in the opening title sequence and it¡¦s nice to get a good look at each drawing, I enjoyed this the most. The ¡¥Original Storyboards¡¦ are a nice addition if slightly half-hearted and the Poster/Stills gallery is bit limp with only two posters (one bizarrely renaming the film ¡¥horror Kid¡¦) and a load of unspectacular stills from the movie with very little attention given to the behind the scenes work.
Summary:
Film: 3/5 ¡V Good premise let down by a poor script and flat direction.
Picture: 3.5/5 ¡V The grain in the darker scenes let¡¦s this down but otherwise excellent
Sound: 4/5 ¡V 5.1 mix is nicely done with good distribution between the channels.
Extras: 4/5 ¡V Nice collection with an interesting commentary and a great documentary.
Overall package: 3/5 Possessed Cheryls ¡V saved by a worthy re-mastered edition with an excellent accompanying documentary shame about the film. File under wasted opportunity but a great collectors edition for the movie's fans.
[glow=red,2,300]CHILDREN OF THE CORN II: THE FINAL SACRIFICE
[/glow]
Picture: 1.85:1 Anamorphic and a 4:3 version
Sound: Dolby Digital: stereo 2.0, optional 5.1 and DTS 5.1 surround sound
Story: CHILDREN OF THE CORN II: THE FINAL SACRIFICE picks up the story three years after the events of the first film. Following the discovery of the murder victims' bodies, the neighbouring townsfolk of Hemingford agree to shelter the traumatised children, unaware that they are opening their doors to a force that will threaten their very existence. Once again, the evil power of "He Who Walks Behind The Rows" is resurrected to command the children to rise up and rid the land of the adults who defile the sacred corn.
Review: If the first one took itself too seriously then this one just has fun! Making good use of the new town with some creative killings, a faster pace and some stylised violence, TO DIE FOR 2 director David Price looks to impress where the first failed.
There's a nice macabre performance from new leader of the Gatlin kids played by then soap star Ryan Bollman (even if he lacks the obscure look that set John Franklin's Isaac apart in the first film) and has a suitably over the top, typically nineties, explosive finale. It¡¦s nothing sopecial but it¡¦s got enough to keep b-movie fans happy and is certainly more entertaining then the original.
In conclusion just take this film for what it is, a fun b-movie romp with the highly stylised look all early-90s horror movies seemed to have at the time.
The DVD
Picture: this version comes in a 4:3 format and a 1.78:1 version with 16x9 widescreen enhancement. Take your pick but the widescreen version is a great improvement over previous UK releases. The print is bright and clear with no blemishes but has an excessive amount of grain in some scenes.
Sound: Can you believe the range of mixes available here? Fantastic treatment from AB. The sound design is a little more bombastic, typical of the mid nineties, so in the 5.1 mix the subwoofer gets a full workout with the rear channels used at every chance. Nice mix. Unable to check the DTS mix but a stereo 2.0 surround mix is also included.
Menu: Nice collection of stills from the movie on an animated background using elements of the originals score. Also note the audio is in 5.1 stereo. Nice touch.
Special Features:
Audio commentary by director David Price and star Ryan Bollman: Very entertaining talk track from the film-makers here. The commentary also features Leprechaun writer/director Mark Jones (for reasons not entirely clear although it is mentioned he was offered COTC III) and is moderated by Blue Underground's David Gregory. There's little room for thought as no stone is left unturned with each commenting with more than a little humour whilst revealing a ton of trivia. The flow is kept going by Gregory and Jones provides both the most amusing and most annoying moments. Incidentally this was recorded especially for this UK exlcusive release. You'll love this.
Trailer: Billed as a theatrical trailer it comes across more as the made for video trailer it was before Miramax bought the movie and distributed it theatrically. It's typical of this style and features the film under it's original subtitle of ¡¥Deadly Harvest¡¦.
Biographies: Short biogs of director David Price and producer Terence Knox. Interesting yet forgettable and suspiciously no bio for star Ryan Bollman.
Production Stills: Standard collection of on set stills. Nothing glamourous or particularly interesting.
Summary:
Film: 3.5/5 ¡V Highly enjoyable sequel.
Picture: 3.5/5 ¡V Again it¡¦s the grain that lets it down.
Sound: 4/5 ¡V 5.1 mix is nicely done with good distribution between the channels.
Extras: 3/5 ¡V The commentary saves this from a 2 rating here. It¡¦s a great addition but nothing else worthy.
Overall package: 3/5 Possessed Cheryls ¡V enjoyable sequel with a great sound mix and brilliant audio commentary.
REVIEW CONTINUED IN PART 2.....