Pre-Order The Hidden (1987) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

[Robert Crawford]

Yeah, one of my guilty pleasures.

THE HIDDEN (1987)
NEW 2017 1080p HD REMASTER
Run Time 97:00
Subtitles English SDH
DTS HD-Master Audio (REMIX FOR HOME VIDEO) 5.1 - English, DTS HD-Master Audio (ORIGINAL THEATRICAL) 2.0 - English
16 X 9 WIDESCREEN, ORIGINAL ASPECT RATIO - 1.78:1
COLOR
BD 50
Special Features:
Commentary by Director Jack Sholder and Tim Hunter
SFX Footage with commentary by Jack Sholder
Theatrical Trailer (HD)

Something hideous is changing law-abiding citizens into monstrous, hyperviolent psychopaths. Now, only Kyle MacLachlan (Dune, Twin Peaks) and Michael Nouri (Flashdance) can halt the terrifying rampage of The Hidden!
A series of bizarre, inexplicable robberies and murders have L.A. police detective Tom Beck (Nouri) totally baffled. And it doesn’t help when mysterious FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher (MacLachlan) tells him that a demonic extraterrestrial creature is invading the bodies of innocent victims – and transforming them into inhuman killers with an unearthly fondness for heavy-metal music, red Ferraris and unspeakable violence! This chilling, high-velocity sci-fi horrorshow that captures a long-gone and way-gone Los Angeles has emerged from the shadows to epitomize '80s cult cinema - and now it's looking show room fresh!

 

[Ronald Epstein]

The link below will take you directly to the product on Amazon. If you are using an adblocker you will not see link.

 

[Robert Crawford]

I'm showing some discipline by not ordering this title until it reaches my price point which is $17.99.

 

[Walter Kittel]

Yeah, I always enjoyed this film. Definitely a guilty pleasure for a number of reasons. Particularly enjoyed William Boyett's performance as one of the victims of the parasite. Incredibly self indulgent and very amusing. Loved seeing Boyett (who was 60 at the time) in the diner listening to heavy metal on a boom box much to the disgust of the diner's other patrons.

- Walter.

 

[Nelson Au]

I was wondering if this might get a blu ray release, but didn't expect it to be from the Archive Collection! I have the laserdisc release and it had a great audio commentary. I have the DVD as well, and I think it has the commentary too. Too bad the blu ray doesn't appear to include that. For some reason, I pair this film with Reanimator.

 

[Lord Dalek]

Special Features:
Commentary by Director Jack Sholder and Tim Hunter
SFX Footage with commentary by Jack Sholder
Theatrical Trailer (HD)

I was wondering if this might get a blu ray release, but didn't expect it to be from the Archive Collection! I have the laserdisc release and it had a great audio commentary. I have the DVD as well, and I think it has the commentary too. Too bad the blu ray doesn't appear to include that. For some reason, I pair this film with Reanimator.

 

[Nelson Au]

Thanks Joel, I only saw Ron's post above and not Robert's! Good news. Must have been blinded by something!

 

[Robert Crawford]

I'm showing some discipline by not ordering this title until it reaches my price point which is $17.99.

Amazon pricing is now $17.99!

 

[JoeStemme]

Why are folks saying this is a "Guilty Pleasure"???? It's far better than many "Legit Pleasures"!

One hesitates to use the word “underrated” for a film that is generally well-regarded (I guess except for those who feel "guilty" about it), but, Jack Sholder's THE HIDDEN is, at the very least, somewhat overlooked. At the time, ROBOCOP took the crown for sci-fi films of that year, and even spanning out further, the likes of BACK TO THE FUTURE, PREDATOR, ALIENS etc..all got more attention. It grossed less than $10M. Even on the cult film level, it was overshadowed by THEY LIVE, BUCKAROO BANZAI and, of course, BLADE RUNNER.

Jim Kouf's original screenplay takes Invasion Of The Body Snatchers/The Thing themes and cleverly updates and subverts them. Kouf, who also is behind the National Treasure franchise along with RUSH HOUR, STAKEOUT and the Grimm TV series, puts in some nice humorous touches while keeping the story flowing at a good clip. Sholder directs the action quite well. The cast is solid with Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Nouri, Clu Gulager and Claudia Christian. The Makeup SFX by Kevin Yager, Robert Kurtzman, Howard Berger and crew hold up well.

The film's cinematographer, Jacques Haitkin, passed away this week. I got to work with Jacques on a pair of films and found him to be a talented pro. His work here captures the stunts, effects and night work very well. RIP

 

[Jeffrey D]

I love this film. I did buy this BluRay- will have to give it a spin again soon.

 

[JoeStemme]

Anybody seen the sequel? I hear it's bad

 

[Sega]

I have it on LaserDisc.
Will check out the Amazon deal on DVD.
I must say. It is a good fun movie!

 

[Jeffrey D]

Anybody seen the sequel? I hear it's bad

It definitely is nowhere near as good as the original. I couldn’t finish it.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Yeah, one of my guilty pleasures.

I need to revisit this guilty pleasure again. Since that term bothers a few people so much, I might use that terminology more often.

 

[JoeStemme]

I need to revisit this guilty pleasure again. Since that term bothers a few people so much, I might use that terminology more often.

Seriously, what's the "guilt" factor here? It got good reviews at the time. It's become a cult favorite. People react favorably when it's spoken about.

 

[Walter Kittel]

Seriously, what's the "guilt" factor here? It got good reviews at the time. It's become a cult favorite. People react favorably when it's spoken about.

Since I used the term back when the title was announced, I'll offer this opinion. The Hidden is not a bad film by any means, but it is very unusual and the genre, its overall aesthetic, and tone of the film classify it in ways that I usually associate with lesser films of the SF / action genres. "Guilt" by association, if you will. More specifically, it feels "guilty pleasure" adjacent, with the execution of the film elevating it above mere "fodder".

- Walter.

 

[Robert Crawford]

Seriously, what's the "guilt" factor here? It got good reviews at the time. It's become a cult favorite. People react favorably when it's spoken about.

Seriously, for me, it's just a figure of speech and shouldn't be taken literally as a definitive description of feeling guilty because I like the film despite it having a possible negative connotation attached to it. It's an entertaining movie that I considered a good film! When the movie came out, I remembered it didn't have a long theatrical run and I watched it in a movie theater that was almost empty except for a few people besides myself. The movie got decent reviews but was soon forgotten by most people and critics. It is now considered a cult favorite due to cable channels like HBO and home video.

 

[JoeStemme]

The movie got decent reviews but was soon forgotten by most people and critics. It is now considered a cult favorite due to cable channels like HBO and home video.

And, that's my point: It should be categorized as a "Cult Film" not a guilty one.
I know it's a term a lot of folks use incorrectly, but on a forum such as this, it shouldn't. To me, a true guilty pleasure would be a movie that most folks who have actually seen it think it stinks, but that I personally enjoy - if even for the "wrong" reasons.
A movie with good initial reviews and continued good vibes shouldn't fall in that category. Indeed, the only folks who one could term as 'guilty' are those that deny its quality.

 

[Robert Crawford]

And, that's my point: It should be categorized as a "Cult Film" not a guilty one.
I know it's a term a lot of folks use incorrectly, but on a forum such as this, it shouldn't. To me, a true guilty pleasure would be a movie that most folks who have actually seen it think it stinks, but that I personally enjoy

Well, on this forum, people can use whatever terms they want to whether others like it or not. It's not a big deal except for a few people.

 

[JoeStemme]

Well, on this forum, people can use whatever terms they want to whether you like it or not. It's not a big deal except for a few people.

As I wrote, I know folks use it, but, like a lot of things, are using the term incorrectly. Per dictionary definitions:

"Guilt·y Pleas·ure - something, such as a movie, television program, or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard."

Of course, people are free to write what they wish, but with THE HIDDEN it is being incorrectly used unless you feel that almost all sci-fi is to be put down as guilty pleasures.