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The Call of Cthulhu (2005)

Started by Mofo Rising, May 30, 2007, 11:46:37 PM

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Mofo Rising

May 30, 2007, 11:46:37 PM
Ah, what an age we live in.

The Call of Cthulhu!

Lovecraft's immortal "Call of Cthulhu" has finally been adapted for the big screen, said big screen being located in 1928.  Yup, some film jerks got together and decided to faithfully reproduce Lovecraft's story as if it were created during the roaring '20s.  That means it's in black and white, the film is faux scratchy, the sets are made of cardboard, and all the dialogue is written on placards in between scenes.

It's fantastic.

Now, I'm film geeky enough to already be all over a faithful recreation of a silent film.  Throw in a pretty good adaptation of a Lovecraft story and I'm sold.  Comparing this film to the original King Kong, if this were actually released in 1928, Lovecraft wouldn't be the cult superstar he is today, he'd be an international sensation.  (Of course, don't we all relish his underground status?)

Now if I was judging by the movie itself, I'd probably give this four stars.  It's a bit slow in places, which is bad considering it's only 45 minutes long.  Also, I wish they would have spent a little more time to get the old film look exactly right.  Most of the time it looks like artificially distressed film shot on digital.  (Of course, that would have probably been prohibitively expensive as it would require good film to create bad film.  Look at the Criterion remastered version of The Passion of Joan of Arc to see what can be done with old black and white film.)  But considering that the budget for this film would probably have been considered low in 1920's dollars, I'm prepared to rate it the full five.

The extras on the disc are worthwhile as well, as all the creators seem to be having a lot of fun.  Hearing the actors recite their "dialogue" (doesn't matter what they say, it's a silent film) is pretty funny.

So I highly recommend this one to anybody with a passing interest in Lovecraft, and especially to fans of low-budget cinema.

Five out of five.
Every dead body that is not exterminated becomes one of them. It gets up and kills. The people it kills, get up and kill.

Shadow

#1
May 30, 2007, 11:54:44 PM
It's been Netflixed (is that a verb?)! So far the recommendations from this board have been good. Ash suggested Altered and Skaboi The Resurrected, so I'm optimistic about this one. Plus I'm a big Lovecraft geek.
Shadow
www.bmoviegraveyard.com
The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin.

Shadow

#2
June 27, 2007, 09:22:44 PM
This one finally came in and I watched it tonight. Great movie! I thought it really captured (at least in part) the mood and atmosphere associated with Lovecraft. The music at times seemed a little to modern, and some of the compositing FX were crude, but overall a really fun film for Lovecraft fans.
Shadow
www.bmoviegraveyard.com
The FDA has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After careful consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced that it has settled on the generic name of Mycoxafloppin. Also considered were Mycoxafailin, Mydixadrupin, Mydixarizin, Dixafix, and of course, Ibepokin.

Mofo Rising

#3
June 28, 2007, 12:33:24 AM
Glad you liked it.

That website above has some pretty neat stuff on it.  I printed out a "Certificate of Insanity" for my little brother, which he objected to, but I could tell deep down he appreciated it.
Every dead body that is not exterminated becomes one of them. It gets up and kills. The people it kills, get up and kill.

Oldskool138

#4
June 28, 2007, 04:23:57 PM
I just bought the movie poster!  I can't wait to pick up the DVD!
He learned almost too late that man is a feeling creature... and because of it, the greatest in the universe........
-Dr. Paul Nelson (Peter Graves)

That gum you like is going to come back in style.
-The Man from Another Place

Dr. Whom

#5
June 30, 2007, 07:41:03 AM
A Shoggoth on the Roof!

Now there's a musical to see.
"Once you get past a certain threshold, everyone's problems are the same: fortifying your island and hiding the heat signature from your fusion reactor."

Wenn ist das Nunstück git und Slotermeyer? Ja! ... Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput.

Raffine

#6
June 30, 2007, 09:48:45 PM Last Edit: June 30, 2007, 09:55:31 PM by Raffine
I got my copy today and thought this was a terrific little film. I agree with the film makers that the story really lends itself to be created in the form of an old fashioned silent film. True,  its a bit crude at times, but its amazing what they accomplished with apparently no budget. In reality the use of miniatures, studio outdoor shots, and primitive process-type shots fit right in with the films from the 1920's.   

I've mentioned Guy Maddin a few times on this board. I'd suggest checking out his feature films such as TALES FROM THE GIMLI HOSPITAL, ARCHANGEL, CAREFUL, COWARDS BEND THE KNEE, and particularly DRACULA: PAGES FROM A VIRGIN'S DIARY. His latest, BRAND UPON THE BRAIN, about sinister brain experiments carried out on orphans in a combination lighthouse/orphanage, looks very promising, too. 

BRAND UPON THE BRAIN! trailer:
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVl5Bnj_EO8

He's also made many short films in a similar 'silent film' fashion.  THE HEART OF THE WORLD is probably the best of the lot. Mexican wrestling fans should check out his SOMBRA DOLOROSA. 

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs9iqu83E9Y

And then there's everybody's favorite: SISSY BOY SLAP PARTY!

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldFWvHa4Svg
If you're an Andy Milligan fan there's no hope for you.
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