Theater of Horror (The Boy from Hell / Dead Girl Walking / Lizard Baby / The Ravaged House / The Doll Cemetery / Death Train)Hideshi Hino is the legendary Japanese cult/horror animator whose work has been translated into English and is reaching readers around the globe. But Hideshi Hino is not for the faint of heart. The images on his book covers alone have given young children nightmares. Many screenwriters have been influenced by his work and several have attempted to adapt them to fil. To date none have been successful in depicting the pathos and spiritual depravity behind the repulsive images of decomposing bodies bizarre diseases deformed children…Finally six talented directors have succeeded in capturing Hino’s essence and bringing it to the screen.The first night’s roster is comprised of director Yoshihiro Nakamura (“Honogurai mizuno sokokara” (Dark Water) screenplay) Mari Asato (“Ring” Hiroshi Takahashi screenplay) and Koji Shiraishi (“Hontouni atta! Noroi no Video Series director). Popular actors from TV and commercials will recreate classic Hino characters such as “Lizard Baby” “Dead Girl Walking” and “The boy from Hell”. Three tales of terror as told by three distinctly original directors…Keep your eyes peeled. If you can…System Requirements:Run Time: 320 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: HORROR Rating: N/A UPC: 796019796361 Manufacturer No: 79636
Rating:  List Price: $ 49.95 Price: $ 6.95 Find More Dvd Products |
(out of 4 reviews)
Review by E. Zimmerman for Theater of Horror (The Boy from Hell / Dead Girl Walking / Lizard Baby / The Ravaged House / The Doll Cemetery / Death Train)
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I really enjoyed the short films included in this set. Make no mistake, the production values are extremely low – all 6 of them were shot on video, and the special effects are certainly low budget. But if you have enjoyed other low budget Japanese horror fare such as STACY, also shot on video but very good, this shouldn’t really put you off. Still, considering that each episode is only about 45 minutes, and there are no extras at all, 45 dollars seems rather expensive to me. It would have been wiser to package them in a 2 or 3 disc set instead of giving each episode its own keep case and disc, I think. Probably better for rentals, or wait to find them used.
Review by Robert P. Beveridge for Theater of Horror (The Boy from Hell / Dead Girl Walking / Lizard Baby / The Ravaged House / The Doll Cemetery / Death Train)
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Hideshi Hino’s Theater of Horror (Various directors, 2004)
Those who are familiar with Hideshi Hino’s groundbreaking films in the Guinea Pig series– Flower of Flesh and Blood is one of those few releases that can truly be said to have forever changed the face of film as we know it today– are going to be somewhat surprised, and probably let down, by the six short movies in the Hideshi Hino’s Theater of Horror box. Hino steps out from behind the cameras and lets other directors work with his world-famous manga, and the result looks more like a low-budget TV series than the ultra-gory Guinea Pig films.
The ultimate result of this, however, is to point out even more starkly the differences between the American and Japanese cultures of film. The six films here are almost alarmingly low-budget, the kind of thing that in America would be relegated to independent channels at 2:30 on Saturday morning, and would have the appropriate quality. In these six films, however, the bargain-basement quality of the filming, and the microbudget special effects, couch rich, complex scripts with interesting characters and interesting situations in which they can perform. Some of the films are straightforward morality plays of the type one expects from Hino manga (assuming, of course, one has read Hino manga), while others are labyrinthine pieces of ambiguity (Death Train stands out here, as diffuse as any four-hour Soviet epic, but concentrated and horrific). None of them requires a great amount of time or attention, stretching from forty-three to sixty-one minutes each, but while each is on the screen, it will demand both from you.
All in all, a fine little box, both less and more than I was expecting. I’ll be watching these almost as much as I watch Hino’s contributions to the Guinea Pig series. *** ½
Review by Devon for Theater of Horror (The Boy from Hell / Dead Girl Walking / Lizard Baby / The Ravaged House / The Doll Cemetery / Death Train)
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Now before I start let it be known that I payed $50 dollars for this new in a store XD
For those who aren’t familiar with Hideshi Hino, He’s a cult hit favorite in the Japanese horror manga scene. He’s famous for drawing manga with strange and horrific themes, while keeping a cute, and somewhat comical, child-like appearance.
These movies are very low budget films, each done by a different director, and taking place in a different Hino Horror based world. The stories don’t always go along with the manga, but I think that it works out well enough.
These are nice movies as a set, Ranging from the serious and sad zoruko’s disease, and Living dead girl, to the over the top Boy from hell, and confusing death train. I was sad to see that in my version (it was probably just a glitch) the audio cuts out half way through Doll cemetery.
Other than that Defenately worth it, as long as you know these aren’t oscar winning performances, and you don’t expect much of a coherent story-line. Don’t pay $50 for it though, I’d recommend it anywhere from $25 and lower. that’s about worth it. ^_^
Review by Jason Santiago for Theater of Horror (The Boy from Hell / Dead Girl Walking / Lizard Baby / The Ravaged House / The Doll Cemetery / Death Train)
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its a great give for those of you loving that japanese horror