"Actor: Carl Kraines"

• The Slayer | Blu Ray | (21/08/2017) from £16.39   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £N/A

  IS IT A NIGHTMARE? OR IS IT THE SLAYER? One of the most sought-after titles for slasher fans everywhere, The Slayer finally rises from the ashes of obscurity in a brand new 4K transfer courtesy of Arrow Video. Two young couples set off to a secluded island for what promises to be a restful retreat. But the peace is short-lived: as a storm batters the island, troubled artist Kay begins to sense that a malevolent presence is here with them, stalking them at every turn. Is she losing her mind, or are her childhood nightmares of a demonic assailant coming to terrifying life? Previously only available on home video in truncated or full screen versions, The Slayer whose nightmares-seeping-into-reality theme predates a certain Wes Craven classic by several years comes lovingly restored from the original negative in a stunning transfer that will be a revelation to fans both old and new. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS: Brand new restoration from a 4K scan of the original negative High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations Original Uncompressed Mono Audio Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing Brand new interviews with cast and crew Original Theatrical Trailer Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Justin Osbourn FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by Lee Gambin

• The Gate | DVD | (05/09/2002) from £N/A   |  Saving you £N/A (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99

  In 1987 The Gate was at the forefront of what came and went as a purely 80s genre: Kiddie Horror. Just like The Lost Boys or The Monster Squad of the same year, the idea was to let a couple of younger-than-teenage kids loose in a well-worn horror scenario and play it for as many laughs as scares. Its 15 certificate (PG-13 in the States) meant The Gate had an enormous opening weekend, and a considerable shelf life. The kids in question here are a very young Stephen (Blade) Dorff as Glen and his best friend Terry. After some tree felling in Glen's seemingly miles-square back yard they discover a hole full of precious rock. This is of course the Gate to a demonic dimension. As things start levitating, Glen's dog dies and moths get into the most awkward of places, it becomes obvious that the Gate is open! A teenage sister does little to help early on, but naturally the story develops into one about banding together under extreme circumstances. The make-up and stop-motion animation effects remain impressive in scope and there are a couple of frights still just on the right side of cliché. Since it was so successful, the writer and director went on to make an inferior sequel some years later. On the DVD: Viewers should note this is a very murky transfer that's in an unspecified widescreen ratio. There's also an unspectacular (equally unspecified) sound mix. But a gallery of 10 photos and the theatrical trailer makes up for that, right? --Paul Tonks

• The Slayer | DVD | (13/10/2003) from £6.02   |  Saving you £-0.03 (N/A%)   |  RRP £5.99