Children of the Corn

Fritz Kiersch's 1984 adaptation of Stephen King's 1977 titular short story about a couple who stumble upon a Nebraska farm town that has been taken over by sinister young worshippers of “He Who Walks Behind the Rows” is a cheesy movie, but it spawned no fewer than eight sequels as well as a TV remake, and has become a minor cult film. Peter Horton and Linda Hamilton star as unlucky outsiders Burt and Vicky, who discover that almost all of the adults in Gatlin have been eliminated by the local children, led by Isaac (John Franklin), a maniacally charismatic 12-year-old who is in turn kept in line by his ruthless enforcer Malachai (Courtney Gains). Crusty horror veteran R.G. Armstrong costars as a gas station attendant left alive because he supplies Isaac with fuel. Children of the Corn is by no means a good film, but this Arrow release is by far the best edition yet, with extras including two audio commentary tracks (one with Kiersch, co-producer Terrence Kirby, and stars Franklin and Gains; the other by journalists Justin Beahm and John Sullivan), interviews, behind-the-scenes featurettes, a storyboard gallery, and the first screen adaptation of King's story—a 1983 short titled Disciples of the Crow. Optional. (F. Swietek)