The Whisperer in Darkness (2011)

Oh yeah! It has been way too long since I had a chance to enjoy a good, bad movie. Yesterday Nancy and I sat down to watch The Whisperer in Darkness (2011). This is the latest movie adaptation of an H. P. Lovecraft tale from H. P. Lovecraft Historical Society (HPLHS) and is shot using their Mythoscope™ process — a mix of vintage and modern techniques. Nancy and I love the HPLHS adaptation of The Call of Cthulhu (2005) and we have been eagerly awaiting their new film. I am a big fan of H. P. Lovecraft and his work and this movie certainly does not disappoint. Lets get to the review!

Albert Wilmarth, a mild mannered professor of folklore at legendary Miskatonic University, discovers a hitherto unknown manuscript of 19th century collection of folklore from the remote Vermont mountains.

After losing a radio debate as to whether folklore depicts actual creatures, Professor Wilmarth is approached by a mysterious stranger with evidence that these creatures may exist.

"Say! Want to see some creepy pictures?"

Soon, Wilmarth travels to the wilds of Vermont to investigate the claims of strange beings around an old farm. Oh, and maybe some creepy alien monsters as well.

"Ever see a furtive look, Professor?"

After arriving at the farm in question, Wilmarth soon employs his academic research skills to determine that something just isn't right in the Green Mountain State!

"Ever see sinister brooding, Professor?"

Now its up to Wilmarth to investigate the strange happenings...

"Whoa! That aint Santa Claus!"

...and stop an alien invasion!

"Nom, nom, nom!"

I really enjoyed this movie. The Mythoscope™ process really adds to the overall creepy mood of the film and there are a few genuinely scary moments throughout. For the most part, the actors do a great job to convey this growing dread throughout the story and I thought the overall product faithfully captured the whole demeanor of H. P. Lovecraft. There are some problems with the special effects during an airplane scene, but the rest of the film is really well done. It is not cheap but if you enjoy H. P. Lovecraft, classic horror, or black and white movies, you should go to the HPLHS website and order a copy for you library. It is well worth owning a copy.

Rating: 4.5 Bites out of 5

-Safari Bob

The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu (2009)

Ah yes! It has been too long since the last bad movie review but we have a good one... er... bad one... er... you know what I mean. Today I took a break from the dissertation to watch The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu and it is fun. I enjoy the works of H.P. Lovecraft and there are some great movies of his works. For instance, the H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society has produced a great silent rendition of The Call of Cthulhu and the have another movie based on Lovecraft's work coming soon. Of course, those are fine films not suited for this blog. The Last Lovecraft: Relic of Cthulhu, on the other hand, is right at home here. Now lets get to it!

Mild-mannered, timid Jeff spends his days stuck in a nowhere job along with his buddy Charlie until they learn that Jeff is the last living heir of H.P. Lovecraft. Then things get a little fishy...

Oh come on.. you knew I was going to use "fishy" somewhere...

As the last heir of ole HP, he receives part of an ancient relic that, when combined with the other piece, can unlock Cthulhu from his watery tomb.

(This cost 90% of the SE budget...)

Our intrepid heroes enlist the aid of a childhood friend--Paul--who, thanks to a life-long passion of all things nerdy, knows about these things...

"Where's the CHEE-toes!"

...and they embark on an adventure to combat a nameless evil that lives under the sea!



Oops! Wrong picture... here we go...

Hmm.. not much difference...

Now it is a battle against an ancient foe hell-bent on destroying mankind and our heroes have to step up and save the world--with extreme prejudice!

Jeff, Gittin' it Done!

Although I liked this movie, it does have some problems not the least of which is all the shots of Cthulhu are drawn in a comic book style. Not a cool Dave Gibbons-like treatment of squiddy ultimate monsters but more like something from Casper the Friendly Ghost. Yeah, that's right. I used the term "squiddy". In addition, the most believable character is actually Paul even though he seems to be the dispenser of convenient Lovecraft lore. In full disclosure I must admit that I know a few guys like him.

Still, this movie is enjoyable. I like the cheesy special effects--especially the latex/foam rubber squid arms--and the corny dialogue. Overall, it is worth picking up a used copy on Amazon for a couple of bucks.

Rating: 2.5 Bites out of 5

-Safari Bob