Nine Circles

Another year down, and right on the day itself. Let’s not waste words: there were some great films (Malignant, The Devil Rides Out) and there were some, uh…not so great films (Jack Frost 2, Halloween Kills). But we ended with a cool anthology in The Field Guide to Evil; a really strong blaxploitation movie that overcomes its limitations (J.D.’s Revenge); a Hammer facsimile with both Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee in The Skull, and a fun short from Cartoon Network in The Scooby-Doo Project.

We’re done, folks. Let’s hope the world doesn’t end so we can do it again ext year. As always, scan the summaries, check out the full reviews over on Cinema Dual, and I’ll see you next year… 

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Eight tales from across the globe use old tales and folklore to explore timeless themes. From Austria, two young girls explore a forbidden love and through their sin summon the Trud. From Turkey, a young pregnant woman caring for an elderly invalid grandmother steals a broach, only to evoke the wrath of Al Karisi, the Childbirth Djinn. From Poland, a kindler (one who stirs up malcontent) consumes the hearts of the dead at the advice of a mysterious woman to gain power and wisdom. From America, a family trip into the woods turns deadly when a couple’s young child meet a strange new friend with a rather large head. From Greece, a goblin arises from the world below to check out the city only to find that a pagan partier is just as interested in checkin gout the below. From India, an obtainer of freaks and curiosities for the circus gets an eyeful when he learns of a god being kept in a palace cellar. From Norway, two brother vie for the love of beautiful princess, the results of which are the stuff of nightmares…

(full review here)

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Isaac “Ike” Hendrix is working hard, driving a cab and putting himself through law school, his fine wife Christella by his side. One night he goes out with some friends where he takes part in a hypnotist’s show. During the act he’s possessed by the spirit of J.D. Walker, a 40s era gangster hustler sociopath who was shot and killed after witnessing the death of his sister in a butcher’s slaughterhouse. Ike slowly falls under the spell of J.D., who has unfinished business taking revenge on those who wronged him so long ago. Problem is, J.D. is slowly taking over Ike’s life, making him more and more violent. Can he get rid of J.D. before things go too far?

(full review here)

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It’s the skull of the infamous Marquis de Sade…and it’s CURSED! Christopher Maitland is a collector and writer of the occult. Strange and terrible things begin to happen when a shady antiques dealer tries to sell Maitland the skull. Soon those who hold the skull fall victim to hallucinations and madness. Will Maitland be the next victim? Will people watch this and think it’s a Hammer film? WHO WILL THE SKULL KILL NEXT?!?!

(full review here)

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The gang’s all here: Frank, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby, ready to travel into the dark woods in search of a mystery. Exactly what mystery remains a mystery, as everyone they interview has a different story of what’s happening in the woods. Things look a little too realistic for Shaggy, and once the gang leaves the Mystery Machine for the backwoods, madness and insanity step in. What’s out there? Why can’t they find their way back to the van (spoiler: Shaggy and Scooby ate the map with some Tobasco sauce)? Who lives in the creepy old house and will our intrepid heroes ever find their way back home?

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Thanks, everyone. It was a bit of a grueling finish, but we got there. I hope you found something worthy. I hope I did, too.

Until next time, keep it Blood Red.

– Chris