Hellraiser

[Dymetrie]

After having a long discussion with young S-INC a few weeks back, and then a more or less identical conversation with my brother the next night, I finally purchased myself the four decent movies in this series..

Tonight I am watching the first film (now 21 years old!) and shall be trying to watch the sequels over the next few nights.

For those that don't know the series, the first is based on 'The Hellbound Heart' by Clive Barker, and the sequels are based on the characters he created. (incidentally, there is a remake of the first film planned for release next year. source).

The story of the film series follows the guardians of hell who are called forth by those who seek pleasure (and, of course, pain). They do this, in the story followed by the films, by solving a puzzlebox created in the 14th (iirc) century by a toymaker called Lemerchand (or Lament depending on which version of the film/book you're watching/reading), and then it's a harrowing ride as they discover what they have unleashed.

I highly recommend the first four films (although the fourth one is slightly sci-fi rather than pure horror) but will advise anyone who follows my advice to ensure they have a strong stomach as gore is present throughout (and there's shagging in this bit I'm watching now! 18 minutes into the first film!).