Anchor Bay has entered the DVD market with an impressive introduction of titles, and many more promising ones to come.  Their transfer of "Clive Barker's Hellraiser" is impressive, so much so in fact, that it supports the director's own criticism towards the effects.  "Hellraiser" was made when digital effects were in their infancy, hence many of the effects fail to impress with the same impact as those being produced today by computer.  Still, there are plenty of  stunning moments, and Barker's own sense of vision comes through clearly in this slick transfer.   The correct 1.85:1 aspect ratio is intact, and the stereo sound while minimal in directional effects,  still packs a surprise punch at times.

The Cenobites are back in "Hellbound:Hellraiser II".  This is one of those rare sequels that actually lives up to the original, even with a different director/writer.  The plot picks up almost immediately after the last one left off, and doesn't lose its rapid pacing throughout.  A young girl awakening from a nightmare in an asylum, actually ventures to hell trying to save her father.  The special effects in this sequel are greatly improved and the DVD transfer is sharp enough to fully compliment them.  The stereo sound is more active than the original film as well.

Charles Grodin gives a rip-roaring performance in "The Heartbreak Kid",   an Elaine May directed film from a Neil Simon script from a Bruce Jay Friedman story.  Need we say more?  Well, just in case,...Grodin plays Leanord Cantrow, a salesman who marries a young woman he wants to bed, and almost instantly, while honeymooning, realizes he's made a mistake,...after seeing and falling for a young(this was 26 years ago)and beautiful Cybil Shepherd.  There are many social commentaries taking place in this film, religion, class etc. But, it doesn't even momentarilly distract from the ingenius dialogue that encompasses the film. Eddie Albert also gives a performance that truly proves he's one of the most underrated actors of his generation.

The DVD transfer is unfortunately in full-frame(1.33:1) and there are some crucial scenes,chapter5, when Grodin discusses is intentions across a table with Albert, wherein the composition is slightly sacrificed.  However, the fleshtones and depth to the picture look great and the monaural sound is fine.

For some reason "The Stepford Wives" has never found the mass audience it deserves.  The novel it was based on was written by Ira Levin, no slouch by any standard!  The script is by William Goldman, one of Hollywood's greatest writers, and it's well directed by Bryan Forbes(Seance on a Wet Afternoon).  Certain to upset feminists, the plot involves a town wherein men do whatever they want and their wives are subserviant in every way.  Katherine Ross and Peter Masterson play a young couple who've just moved into Stepford and are at first unaware of the dark secret it possesses.   The cast is great!  Imagine Parick O' Neal and Tina Louise together in the same film! 

The transfer is generally sharp although colors are a little dull in a few scenes.   The aspect ratio appears to be correct and the Digital monaural sound is fine.

The film that changed low budget horror films forever, "Halloween" has gotten an admirable DVD transfer.  While it's lacking in comparison to the superior Criterion Laserdisc Edition, the picture appears similar in most aspects.  Some of the darkest scenes have a slight edge on laser, although overall they're both very similar in terms of  accurate fleshtones and contrast.  The DVD offers both the 2.35:1 aspect ratio on one side, pan & scan on the other.  The digital monaural sound is well produced, and Director John Carpenter's eerie film score has never sounded better.