In The Mouth Of Madness

Veteran director John Carpenter didn't just direct horror classics like "Halloween" and apocalyptic cult hits such as "Escape from New York." He also kept working into the 1990s and made a few here and there in the 2000s. One severely underrated film is his 1994 fan favorite "In the Mouth of Madness." A new Collector's Edition Blu-ray from Scream Factory is just one of a few restored Carpenter films coming out in the next few weeks.

Loosely based on the horror tales of the late Providence, RI writer H.P. Lovecraft, "In the Mouth of Madness" can be described as a highly supernatural one. Jurgen Prochnow ("Dune," "The Seventh Sign") plays a popular author named Sutter Cane who suddenly vanishes from sight. The lines between reality and fantasy become blurred as a private investigator (Sam Neill) gets sucked into a fictional town found in one of Cane's books.

It seems that the latest horror novel by Cane has come to life. "In the Mouth of Madness" is lightweight in nature, with a smattering of fun jokes. But the horror elements are there too, ones Carpenter has lots of expertise in.

Those looking for a 20-plus-year-old nostalgia trip are encouraged to pick up Shout Factory's "In the Mouth of Madness" Blu-ray. There are some vintage special features to watch (courtesy of prior DVD and Blu-ray releases) and some brand new ones also:

"Audio Commentaries" - One is brand new that features Carpenter and producer Sandy King; the other is a vintage commentary by Carpenter and cinematographer Gary Kibbe

"Horror's Hallowed Grounds" - A tour of the film's locations and how they look today

"The Whisperer of the Dark" - An interview with actress Julie Carman

"Things in the Basement" - Special effects artist Greg Nicotero sits down for an interview

"In the Mouth of Madness"
Blu-ray
$29.99
www.shoutfactory.com