Alone in the Dark

Special Features (Blu-ray)

• NEW Audio Commentary with Genre Film Critic Justin Kerswell and Film Historian Amanda Reyes - Kerswell functions somewhat as a moderator on this track as Reyes (and her very observant comments about Alone in the Dark and the horror genre) take up much of the air time. Kerswell and Reyes continue to make a great pair, complementing each other's remarks and seguing into subsequent ones with aplomb. This is a delightful and informative listen. In English, not subtitled.
• Audio Commentary with Director Jack Sholder - this feature-length commentary track (sans end credits) with Sholder was recorded for the Image disc in the mid-2000s. He's joined by an unnamed moderator, who I've recognized to be Nathaniel Thompson. He joins Sholder in the track some minutes in. Sholder has lot to say about filming Alone in the Dark and working with the main players. In English, not subtitled.
• NEW Out of the Dark – An Interview with Director and Co-Writer Jack Sholder (39:45, 1080p) - this recently recorded interview with Sholder is partly autobiographical. He recalls his formal schooling and undergraduate education, the aspiring musical career he had as a young trumpeter, switching over to film and making shorts, editing the Weinstein's The Burning (1981), and meeting New Line Cinema founder Robert Shaye. He explains the genesis of Alone in the Dark, collaborating with Danish producer Benni Korzen, bringing in Tom Savini for a day, the New York City blackouts that inspired the movie's milieu, and psychiatrist R. D. Laing (the inspiration for Donald Pleasence's Dr. Bain). Further, he shares stories about Pleasence, Martin Landau, Erland van Lidth, Dwight Schultz, and Jack Palance. Additionally, Sholder shares some great anecdotes about how he and Shaye argued about the musical score. The final section has Sholder reflecting on how the film originally fared and how it holds up today. In English, not subtitled.
• NEW Mother Choppers: The Sic F*cks Remember ALONE IN THE DARK (9:38, 1080p) - Snooky Bellomo, Tish Bellomo, and Russell Wolinsky sit beside each other at a bar as they reminisce about how they got to perform in Alone in the Dark, what Sholder was like as a director, and the scenes they sang in the film. In English, not subtitled.
• Still F*cking Sick – Catching Up with The Sic F*cks (16:30, upconverted to 1080i) - sixteen years earlier for an interview with Mikey T., Snooky, Tish, and Russell sit down for an extended chat in the Manic Panic showroom. They discuss the punk rock band's formation, the albums they've produced, and memories they have of appearing in Alone in the Dark (including a scene the got omitted from the final cut!). They also give a guided tour of the studio and movie memorabilia that they've collected. Presented in 1.33:1. In English, not subtitled.
• Bunky Lives! – An Interview with Actress Carol Levy (16:24, upconverted to 1080i) - this was one of my favorite pieces on the Image disc. Levy talks about the toothpaste and feminine hygiene products she promoted in commercials, acting in soap operas, and some nice recollections of The Chosen (1981), a period drama in which she had a small part. She goes into good detail abut the scenes she did as Bunky in Alone in the Dark. She also spends some time describing her starring role in The Princess and the Call Girl (1986). The last part has Levy speaking about her post-film career in advertising and real estate. Presented in 1.33:1. In English, not subtitled.
• NEW Sites in the Dark: The Locations of ALONE IN THE DARK (11:38, 1080p) - this travelogue featurette revisiting the original locations of Alone in the Dark is hosted by Michael Gingold, who wrote the liner notes for the Image release. The piece shows how the New Jersey locations appeared in the film compared to how they look in the present day. Gingold delivers very good contextual details about the on-site locations. In English, not subtitled.
• Theatrical Trailer (2:11, 1080p) - Scream has only partially restored New Line's official trailer for Alone in the Dark. The print is taken from an interlaced source and boasts film artifacts, heavy video noise, and some pixelation in the blacks. Trailer is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. Warning that it reveals several of the characters' fates.
• TV Spot (0:33, upconverted to 1080i) - an unrestored promotional spot displayed in 1.33:1.
• Radio Spots (1:22) - two restored radio spots for Alone in the Dark. Sound quality is excellent. Apparently, James Chandler supplied these to Scream.
• Still Gallery (2:34, 1080i) - a relatively short slide show featuring a panoply of images from Alone in the Dark's ad campaign and home video releases. Presented are production stills from New Line's press packet, poster sheets, and various box covers from the film's VHS/LD editions (US and international).

Blu-ray Screenshots