A Good Year (2006)
Movie
A young boy who spent time at his uncle's French chateau and vineyard is now grown up and working as...
Layer Cake (2004)
Movie
A successful cocaine dealer, who has earned a respected place in England's gangland, plans an early...
Crime Thriller
Smiley's People
Book
When a Russian emigre is found murdered on Hampstead Heath, Smiley is called out of retirement to...
In The Flesh - Season 2
TV Season Watch
Zombie drama series. Kieren Walker, in the now seemingly PDS-friendly world of Roarton, is keeping...
zombie lgbt north england
The White Princess
TV Show Watch
In a tale of power, family, love and betrayal, "The White Princess" -- adapted from Philippa...
Magnificence
Book
I loathe us, I loathe our stupid puerile view of the world ...That we have only to do it, that we...
Awix (3310 KP) rated Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) in Movies
Jul 30, 2020
Meanwhile... oh, does it really matter? As you can perhaps begin to discern, the plot of Hellraiser II Makes No Sense Whatsoever (the Cotton house appears to have teleported from London to New York City in the gap between films, and this is only a minor issue), and there is something baffling and miraculous about the fact the film is as coherent and watchable as it is. Then again, it's not actually about logic, plot, or the motivation of the characters, just a succession of grisly, visceral, nightmarish, surreal images. In this respect at least the film is an astonishing success. Doesn't stop the story from being nonsense, though. Manages to be a very bad movie but also a terrific one, frequently at exactly the same time. Like I say, discombobulating.
His Dark Materials: BBC Radio Drama Collection: Northern Lights; the Subtle Knife; the Amber Spyglass
Terence Stamp, Philip Pullman, Full Cast and Kenneth Cranham
Book
With a cast including Terence Stamp, Bill Paterson and Kenneth Cranham, these BBC Radio 4 full-cast...
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) in Movies
Nov 24, 2021
The visuals go bigger and harder this time around. A longer portion of the movie is spent in the cenobites' hellish dimension, and it's a striking and otherwordly design. Once again, Pinhead and his cronies don't take up too much screentime, ensuring that they're presence is impactful. The narrative does explore the background of these antagonists a little more, but thankfully, doesn't completely destroy the mystery surrounding them, and provides an interesting plot device a bit later on.
The main villain is Dr Channard, a psychiatrist who has a dangerous obsession with the legend of the Lament Configuration. Kenneth Cranham steals the show in the role, and makes for a memorable bad guy, especially during the last half. He also has the best line - "and to think... I hesitated" - definitely a top moment in the history of horror.
Clare Higgins is another highlight, as she is in the first Hellraiser, her character delightfully more sinister than before.
Once again, Hellbound boasts some top class practical effects, contributing to its unique aesthetic, and Christopher Young absolutely smashes it out the park with another incredible music score.
Both Hellraiser and Hellbound are astonishing examples of how excellent, nightmarish, and beautiful this genre can be, and will always be hailed as high points. Great stuff.