In
The Mouth Of Madness 4K
(1994/Warner/New Line/Arrow 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray)/Screamityville
(2025/Borderline Blu-ray/both MVD)
4K
Ultra HD Picture: A- Picture: X/B- Sound: A-/B- Extras:
B/D Films: B/C+
In
The Mouth of Madness
(1994) is one of John Carpenter's strongest films in his extensive
library of cult classics. Inspired by the writing of H.P. Lovecraft,
the film stars Sam Neill as John Trent, an insurance investigator
(Neill) who goes looking for a missing horror writer named Sutter
Cane (Jurgen Prochnow). Aided by the novelist's editor (Julie
Carmen) he goes to a sleepy town in New Hampshire where supernatural
Lovecraftian events unfold all revolving around the new novel ''In
The Mouth of Madness.''
The film features some breathtaking special effects for the time
executed by KNB effects and Greg Nicotero which are worth
highlighting.
The
film is presented in 2160p on 4K UHD disc with Dolby Vision/HDR (10;
Ultra HD Premium)-enhanced Ultra High Definition image, an HEVC /
H.265 codec, a widescreen aspect ratio of 2.39:1 and an audio track
in DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit) and LPCM 2.0 (48kHz,
24-bit) Stereo lossless mixes. The film has been lovingly restored
for this release in an eye popping restoration from the original 35mm
camera negative that far outshines the prior Blu-ray release from
Shout Factory over here in the United States. John Carpenter's
memorable score for the film is also noteworthy. It's a shame there
wasn't an isolated score track that really showcased this underrated
soundtrack better.
Special
Features include:
Archive
audio commentary with director John Carpenter and producer Sandy King
Carpenter
Archive
audio commentary with director John Carpenter and director of
photography Gary B. Kibbe
Brand
new audio commentary by filmmakers Rebekah McKendry & Elric Kane,
co-hosts of Colors of the Dark podcast
Making
Madness,
a newly filmed interview with producer Sandy King Carpenter
Do
You Read Sutter Cane?,
a newly filmed interview with actor Jurgen Prochnow
The
Whisperer of the Dark,
an archive interview with actress Julie Carmen
Greg
Nicotero's Things in the Basement,
an archive interview with special effects artist Greg Nicotero
We
Are What He Writes,
a new featurette in praise of John Carpenter and In the Mouth of
Madness
Reality
Is Not What It Used To Be,
a new appreciation by film scholar Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Horror's
Hallowed Grounds,
an archive featurette looking at the locations used in the film
Home
Movies From Hobb's End,
behind-the-scenes footage
The
Making of In
the Mouth of Madness,
a vintage featurette
Theatrical
trailer and TV spots
Reversible
sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Francesco
Francavilla
Double-sided
fold-out poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by
Francesco Francavilla
and
a perfect bound collector's book featuring new writing on the film by
Guy Adams, Josh Hurtado, Richard Kadrey, George Daniel Lea, Willow
Catelyn Maclay, and Alexandra West.
Many
cult film lovers would argue that this was John Carpenter's last
really great movie and in looking back at this compared to what has
come after from the film icon that ring true. Sam Neill does a great
job of leading the film (he also had done Jurassic
Park
and Event
Horizon
in the same time frame, all going back to his lead in the third Omen
film) and combined with a unique screenplay and special effects that
are full of surprises, the film is engaging from the first frame.
Screamityville
(2024) isn't a narrative film or a documentary, but an ambient video
piece that shows an array of interesting houses decorated for
Halloween. Set with ambient tones and clever camerawork and editing,
the 84 minute film is great to put on in the background during a
party or anytime you want to feel the spookiness of the Halloween
season in your home.
The
film is from the creators of Christmas
Lights,
a trilogy of films in the same vein only Christmas themed.
Screamityville
is presented in 1080p high definition on Blu-ray disc with an MPEG-4
AVC codec, a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and an English 2.0
Stereo mix. The film is shot on a small budget and so this mix is
fine for what is being accomplished here. Overall, the film looks
and sounds fine in 1080p and is of a professional grade quality.
No
extras.
Screamityville
is a fun look at very elaborate halloween decorations in cinematic
form and is made in an artistic and creative way. It's fun to turn
your brain off to and just have on the television in a room full of
others for conversation or mood setting. That being said there isn't
a lot of concept to grasp other than staring at the cool decorations.
-
James Lockhart
https://letterboxd.com/jhl5films/
