Sinister Cinema

Background: Sinister Cinema is an American horror video distributor based in Medford, Oregon. The company was (believably) founded in the late 1980s. All of their releases were made to order, and their early VHS releases came in generic printed packaging. As of 2017, the company is still actively distributing films. Their website can be seen here.

1st Logo (Late 1980s-Early 1990s) Sinster Cinema (1990s)

Logo: TBA

FX/SFX: Everything looks like it was hand-made, most notably due to the form of the motions and the shoestring-budget. However, the quality doesn't seem that badly recorded for an late 80s/early 90s logo and it may have been intentional considering the obscure releases from the company.

Music/Sounds: An ominous organ theme.

Availability: Seen on early VHS releases from the company.

Editor's Note: The bat appearing, darkness and the spooky music can startle kids, otherwise this is more tamer than the next logo, considering how it was cheaply done.

2nd Logo (Early 1990s-Early 2000s)

Sinister Cinema Nickname: "The Moon Bat"

Logo: We zoom out from a yellow full moon on a black background. The words "SINISTER CINEMA", with "SINISTER" tilted upward, move from the right side of the screen. As they stop moving, a bat flies on its way to the moon and then becomes static when the bat reaches the moon. Then "SINISTER" cracks, causing it to "bleed" all over the word "CINEMA", causing half of"SINISTER" and all of "CINEMA" to turn red.

Variant: A variation has been seen with just the end of the logo with "SINISTER" bleeding from cracks.

FX/SFX: The words flying in, the bat flying, "SINISTER" cracking and bleeding, the coloring of the words. The logo is cheaply made, especially the movement of the bat. Also, the cracking might not have been intentional.

Music/Sounds: A couple of high-pitched piano tinks with a dark droning synth in the background, followed by a piano flourish as the bat flies. There is then a rising low windy synth sound transforming into a horrific synth sound, and then 2 dramatic piano notes, ending with a low timpani hit. For the short version, it only uses the horrific synth sound, piano notes and timpani hit.

Availability: Seen on later VHS releases from the company.

Editor's Note: The music and the bat might scare some, especially those afraid of bats. "SINISTER" bleeding and it and "CINEMA" becoming red don't help at all. However, it's very cheesy and can reduce the scariness. Regardless, knowing the material that comes after the logo, it seems most likely to be intentional.