THE CALL OF CTHULHU MOVIE REVIEW

2005 Director: Andrew Lehman Production Company: H.P.Lovecraft Historical Society

Written by: H.P.Lovecraft, short story; Sean Branney, screenplay adaption.

Starring: Matt Foyer; John Bolen; Ralph Lucas.

I need to say up front that I am most likely biased towards this film, because I love the Cthulhu mythos. If you also enjoy the Cthulhu mythos, or H.P.Lovecraft, you will probably really like this movie. If you've never heard of any of that, then the film will probably lose a few points, although it is a good horror movie in it's own right. It is also a good introduction to the Cthulhu mythos; it is after all based on the short story that first featured Cthulhu, and the only story by Lovecraft to actually star Cthulhu. The basic premise of the story and movie is that a man inherits his great uncle's belongings, including many numerous papers dealing with the Cthulhu Cult. He reads most of them, and begins to research and investigate the incidents himself. Just reading the notes and articles begins to drive him slowly mad, but he also becomes obsessed with seeing it through to the end. He finally discovers the horrible truth of Cthulhu, and that we are all doomed, and there is nothing he or any of us can do about it. He eventually goes completely insane. Lovecraft was nothing if not pessimistic. The movie came out in 2005, but it is done in old school black and white, and silent film. It was made by the H.P.Lovecraft Historical Society. More a labor of love than an actual business venture. The acting is very good, with vivid facial expressions that convey emotion just as much as speech would have. The music is fittingly eerie and somber. The special effects leave something to be desired, but they are done in the same period style. I really enjoyed this film, and the stylization was a big part of that, but part of me is still hoping for a modern sci-fi special effects epic. I'd never seen any of the actors or heard of the director before, but that's pretty standard for low budget indie movies.The film keeps the viewer in a constant state of suspense and fear and wondering what's going to happen next. These are the hallmarks of a good horror film. It could use a bit more action, but the lack of is actually more fitting with the cerebral horror of the subject.

My review system uses 1-10 grading, and grades each part of the movie individually, and then a separate score for the overall effect.

Action: 5 Horror: 9 Special Effects: 5 Sound Effects: n/a Music: 7 Dialog: n/a Acting: 8 Story: 9 Overall: 8