Hellraiser 2: Hellbound

Time to play!

The fantastic sequel to the classic “Hellraiser”. Tony Randel directs this 1988 movie still built on the foundation of Clive Barker's book.

Kirsty Cotton (played once again by Ashley Laurence) returns, and at the beginning of this film has been admitted to a psychiatric hospital. As Doctor Channard (played by Kenneth Cranham), and his assistant, Kyle MacRae interview Kirsty, she tells her account of the events depicted in the first film. She pleads with them to destroy the bloody mattress her murderous stepmother, Julia Cotton (Clare Higgins) died on. MacRae is the only one who seems to believe her. However, it is revealed that the obsessive Dr. Channard has been searching for the doorway to the world of the Cenobites, for years.

After hearing Kirsty's story, Channard has the mattress brought to his home, and has one of his deranged patients lie on it, and cut himself with a straight razor. The resulting blood-letting frees Julia from the Cenobite dimension, and the murder and mayhem begin anew! In an effort to stop Dr. Channard, Kirsty and Kyle befriend Tiffany (Imogen Boorman), who hasn't spoken for years, but has demonstrated an amazing aptitude for puzzles, the Lament Configuration is no exception.

What I found intriguing about this next part of the Hellraiser series is the plot. I think Peter Atkins who scripted the screenplay, did an outstanding job of staying true to Clive Barker's vision of Hell according to the Cenobites. As the characters move through the realm of darkness, the images and instances of what takes place are in true horror taste! Graham Longhurst does a great job with the special effects and some of the new cenobite arrangements are ghastly awesome!!

So check it out, have some fun being gore-ily entertained.

• Today's Cure song is "Snow in Summer" from the Join The Dots: B-Sides and Rarities Collection - (2004) Here a tune that Robert admits he doesn't like all that much. A B-side to Just Like Heaven from 1987, it sings of being happy in love.

"Slipping in your soft white heart
I drink you as I swim
And I'm falling
And I'm falling with you
Fall beneath my skin"

CJ