Hellraiser: Inferno (2000)

So, what you really have here is a variation on It's a Wonderful Life and A Christmas Carol, with all the themes reversed to hellish extremes. The plot doesn't hold together all that well, but you can't fault the film for establishing and maintaining a heavily somber tone. This is pretty dark stuff, after all, and although Hellraiser fans will lament that Pinhead's appearance is relatively brief, he's presented here in an intriguing new light--not merely an icon of pain and suffering, but a giver of counsel and justice to those (like Sheffer's cop) who arguably deserve the eternal anguish they will receive. Does that make Pinhead a good guy? If this otherwise lugubrious sequel achieves anything, it's that it raises that question and lets the viewer decide. --Jeff Shannon

Additional features
The bonus features on the DVD of Hellraiser: Inferno are minimal but will be welcomed by fans of the series. Included is a brief but insightful interview with actor Doug Bradley, who discusses the evolution of his role as Pinhead, the effect of his Pinhead makeup on performance, and the new direction his role takes in this film. Also included are "Secrets of Hellraiser Revealed"--a series of four brief video clips revealing behind-the-scenes details about the "Lament Configuration" puzzle box and the creation of the Pinhead makeup. For instance, did you know that Pinhead has exactly 138 pins in his head? Surely some fans will sleep better having learned this, and God have mercy on their souls. --Jeff Shannon