Nathan Wilson, Ansel Faraj and Kelly Kitko take the familiar legend of Mary Jane, reanimating it as a spiraling kaleidoscope of past & present, of myth & imagination, of visions & and reality. Themes that run through LOON LAKE are almost Shakespearean in capturing human tragedy: the torment of grief, plagued by loss of faith, beset upon by supernatural forces, specters of madness lurking in shadows... The lush Minnesota countryside makes it feel like a Hammer Film, with moments of macabre, spine-chilling terror reminiscent of Poe. Bill Wandel's evocative original score ties everything together effortlessly. As a kid who ran home after school to watch Dark Shadows, having David Selby and Kathryn Leigh Scott paired up again (in different, albeit similar, roles) felt like seeing old friends reunited, creating authentic gothic horror ambiance. Nathan Wilson delivered all the emotion of a grieving widower, it touched my heart, particularly one scene between him and David Selby. Kelly Kitko's portrayal of the vengeful Mary Jane was potent, from innocent to ominous, compellingly sympathetic. Director Ansel Faraj has a gift for creating a mood, for crafting a tale, getting inside your mind, and he's done it again!
Reviews
3 Reviews
Doctor Mabuse
(2013)
Don't let him into your mind...
30 April 2013
This movie will mess with your head; I've never seen anything like it. I went to see the premier of "Doctor Mabuse" (2013) this weekend as a long-time Dark Shadows fan, not knowing quite what to expect and was blown away. I loved its unique style, haunting, noir atmosphere, dreamlike, both menacing and seductive, and how all the elements just meld into a seamless flow, the music, the visuals, the dialog, the characters...particularly with the whole dynamic of the original Dark Shadows actors in the cast, evoking all that ambiance and projecting it into a completely different universe, in distinct roles just as unique and engaging. The mystery of Doctor Mabuse and what he's up to keeps you slightly off-balance, falling forward, like a magic carpet being pulled out from under you as it unfolds before you. A work of art! I'm craving more!
Chain Reaction
(1996)
A Fun Ride, But Don't Look Too Closely
9 August 2006
Warning: Spoilers
We bought this movie from the discount rack not knowing anything about it, but it had a good cast and seemed interesting so we gave it a try. Now we know why it was on the discount rack. It's a fun ride, but don't look too closely. There's a good story, plot twists, good characters played by good actors, good effects, but it's all kind of 90%. Maybe they were trying to be mysterious and aloof, but it just seemed sort of vague and disjointed, keeping you at arm's length, not really giving enough to draw you in and really care about the characters. After a while you start to care, mainly because of who the actor(s) is/are, but it's that 90% thing. The continuity is spotty at times and some of the action sequences seemed very contrived, almost cartoonish. Then there's the running. Lots and lots of running. When you hear about someone being "on the run," this movie is all over it. I got tired just watching all the running. More running than a 70's TV police drama. I think there *might* have been a car chase at one point, but it was mainly foot chases. Anyway, I think 10% more character development would have made this a really great movie, but it's not a horrible movie either. I recommend it for light entertainment, but not if you get upset when everything doesn't fit together neatly and seamlessly. It's a good Saturday-afternoon type of movie to have on in the background doing housework. I give it 2 feather dusters UP!
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