Scream Factory Blu-ray Discussion Thread

[FrancisP]

Originally Posted by ravenus

The Legend of Hell House (TLOHH) is the film adaptation of the novel Hell House by Richard Matheson. Matheson's book was of course inspired by Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House, which previously spawned its own influential film version, The Haunting. Talk about legacy, phew.

I haven't read the Matheson novel (at least I don't recall so), but the film (scripted by the author himself) definitely draws upon its predecessor. But while The Haunting created an atmosphere of unease in terms of shadows, noises and suggestions, being ambiguous about the supernatural element, TLOHH defiantly steps over into paranormal territory and doesn't flinch from the red stuff.

The protagonist Dr. Barrett (Clive Revill) is tasked with confirming the existence of the afterlife by an aging eccentric tycoon, and his proving ground is the Belasco mansion, which has a cursed reputation of being one of the most aggressively haunted mansions; all previous investigations have ended in tragedies. While Barrett is a physicist with interest in paranormal phenomena, he is saddled with two psychic team members, the religious-minded mental medium Florence (Pamela Franklin, between The Innocents and this one, she hasn't had much luck with isolated manors), and the physical medium Ben (Roddy McDowall, channeling a wonderful febrile energy).

Barely do they settle into the Belasco mansion that the hijinks begin - crockery goes flying, tables rattle, mirrors shatter, a black cat goes on a rampage, Barrett's wife (Gayle Hunnicut) develops nymphomaniac tendencies. Matheson and director John Gough eschew subtlety and go right for the jugular. The film is essentially powered by the excess, and so the climax almost by necessity is a little disappointing. I don't know if it works on the printed page, but on screen at least, it comes off somewhat unintentionally funny. But it's a movie that scratches a certain itch when it comes to horror.

Shout's blu-ray is sourced from an obvious dated HD master created off a print, with edge halos, somewhat clumpy grain and limited refinement in the color palette. But till a new scan/resto occurs, this is probably the best it gets. The DTS-HDMA 2.0 audio is similarly decent but underpowered (literally too, I had to raise my volume setting a few notches above normal). Extras include a half-hour interview with John Hough and an audio commentary with Pamela Franklin.

The thing that struck me in this film was the use of sexuality. We saw that with both female leads going slightly bonkers sexually at some point in the movie. Pamela Franklin has some sexual encounters as well.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by Jay H.

If you haven't already, listen to the commentary track with director Daniel Attias. It's excellent.

I did yesterday, and I agree that's it's an excellent track. His commentary discussed what I had myself felt while viewing that the tone of the movie veered awkwardly between family friendly adventure and gory horror, and that was because Attias wanted the former, while Dino wanted to capitalize on the Stephen King connection and push for a hard R rating.

[ravenus]

Originally Posted by FrancisP

The thing that struck me in this film was the use of sexuality. We saw that with both female leads going slightly bonkers sexually at some point in the movie. Pamela Franklin has some sexual encounters as well.

Yeah, although in Franklin's case, it is weirder because

[Show spoiler]she transmutes the sexual element as a kind of religious sacrifice . In her mind she is expressing a divine love to liberate the tortured soul (turns out, she was just made a monkey of)

.

[omahajon]

Watched Elvira's Haunted Hills. Pretty fun movie. Surprised I never seen it before. Humor is hit or miss but largely fun, spoofy take on the Corman AIP Poe films. Not as great as Mistress of the Dark. Beautiful slip case.

On to the extras next! The new intro was fun. Also go grab her book.

[Jlouisbarrett]

I was pleasantly surprised by Elvira’s Haunted Hills, you can really tell they loved what they were doing and there was a lot of passion involved. It was nice and tightly constructed and had a surprising amount of production value. The new intro was indeed a lot of fun as well. Cassandra Peterson is a national treasure — I hope her new relationship with Netflix eventually leads to a new movie where she can really make a film on a proper budget for once. They did it for Pee-Wee, so hey, why not Elvira!?

[DukeTogo84]

Wonder if the Scream sale will start today.

[Nighthawk71]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Wonder if the Scream sale will start today.

i really hope so...i was let down huge on the Arrow sale so i need something to lift my Halloween spirits!

[omahajon]

Having bought the Halloween films a 100x already, I only grabbed the H5 4K for that Dr Death scene. But my my my is the 4K PQ astounding here. Shit, am I gonna buy the others now?

[dylrichard02]

Originally Posted by omahajon

Having bought the Halloween films a 100x already, I only grabbed the H5 4K for that Dr Death scene. But my my my is the 4K PQ astounding here. Shit, am I gonna buy the others now?

2, 3, and 4 are huge upgrades from the old BDs also. I highly recommend them!

[Member-222782]

Originally Posted by omahajon

Having bought the Halloween films a 100x already, I only grabbed the H5 4K for that Dr Death scene. But my my my is the 4K PQ astounding here. Shit, am I gonna buy the others now?

Yes. What kind of fan are you? These all look fantastic!

[Luke Dodge748]

Originally Posted by Jlouisbarrett

I was pleasantly surprised by Elvira’s Haunted Hills, you can really tell they loved what they were doing and there was a lot of passion involved. It was nice and tightly constructed and had a surprising amount of production value. The new intro was indeed a lot of fun as well. Cassandra Peterson is a national treasure — I hope her new relationship with Netflix eventually leads to a new movie where she can really make a film on a proper budget for once. They did it for Pee-Wee, so hey, why not Elvira!?

I really hope you're right. I like the idea of her Netflix and Chills thing, but it needs to be expanded upon. You know what, I'd really love to see an Elvira vs Joe Bob Briggs Shudder or Netflix thon. Each showing their favorites and do it live. Take it back old school and let callers call in instead of Twatter. I'd be in Halloween heaven tbh.

And she still looks like a knockout!

[styrofoamboats]

Anyone still looking for the UHD releases of Halloween, 2-5 are $23.30 each at Barnes and Noble with FALL10 code. The original is $26.63 with the same code.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/30-...N-2vt6Z1z141sz

[backwater]

Originally Posted by styrofoamboats

Anyone still looking for the UHD releases of Halloween, 2-5 are $23.30 each at Barnes and Noble with FALL10 code. The original is $26.63 with the same code.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/30-...N-2vt6Z1z141sz

Figures I ordered H4 from them yesterday. Oh well.

[mfan1986]

Does anyone know why Scream Factory haven’t released ‘Blood Beach (1981)’, considering the demand for it? Is there a definitive rights issue?

[Blu Balls]

Originally Posted by DukeTogo84

Wonder if the Scream sale will start today.

Is there any indication that Scream is going to have one this year? It's getting rather close to Halloween. I would be bummed if I didn't get my order by next week.
I was thinking about blind buying The Blob (1988) but if I can't get it here before the weekend of Halloween then the sale is kind of pointless to me.

[freddy=legend]

Originally Posted by Blu Balls

Is there any indication that Scream is going to have one this year? It's getting rather close to Halloween. I would be bummed if I didn't get my order by next week.
I was thinking about blind buying The Blob (1988) but if I can't get it here before the weekend of Halloween then the sale is kind of pointless to me.

Shout Factory themselves said it would start sometime around the 18th.

[styrofoamboats]

Originally Posted by Blu Balls

Is there any indication that Scream is going to have one this year? It's getting rather close to Halloween. I would be bummed if I didn't get my order by next week.
I was thinking about blind buying The Blob (1988) but if I can't get it here before the weekend of Halloween then the sale is kind of pointless to me.

Barnes and Noble currently has that one for $20.99 and you can use the FALL10 10% off code for an additional discount. Definitely recommended if you like 80s horror films, it's one of the remake gems of that decade along with The Fly and The Thing that has great practical effects.

[Topher76]

Originally Posted by Blu Balls

Is there any indication that Scream is going to have one this year? It's getting rather close to Halloween. I would be bummed if I didn't get my order by next week.
I was thinking about blind buying The Blob (1988) but if I can't get it here before the weekend of Halloween then the sale is kind of pointless to me.

The Blob 88 is definitely worth a blind buy.

[heebiejeebie]

Originally Posted by mfan1986

Does anyone know why Scream Factory haven’t released ‘Blood Beach (1981)’, considering the demand for it? Is there a definitive rights issue?

I don't recall exactly what they were but definitely rights issues.

[mfan1986]

Originally Posted by heebiejeebie

I don't recall exactly what they were but definitely rights issues.

I’m surprised they haven’t asked a lawyer to find out exactly who owns them. New Beverly screened a 35mm print a while ago and couldn’t release it because no one knew who owned the rights.

https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/theu...ly-cinema/amp/