Die Farbe aus dem All

Color out of space literally blew up my mind. I wasn't expecting any thing like that. The plot is very basic yet terrifying and sureal. Based on Lovercraft's short story, its about The Gardner family, who have lately left the citylife for a more bucolic life in a remote property are the prime subject of the movie and after a meteroite lands in their farm, the family find themselves battling a mutant organism that infects their minds and bodies, transforming their quiet rural life into a nightmare.

Director Richard Stanley who returns to the cinema after a really long time has made almost a classic this time. The movie did start slow but finds its pace as the story progresses. He has utilized the visual effects so well, I was heavily impressed.

Nicolas cage was simply fantastic in the movie and he ensures there isn't a dull moment when he is on screen. Joely Richardson looks convincing.

I admit the movie is very very weird and totally on a different storyline but it's really enjoyable.

We were all excited about this year's H.P. Lovecraft Film Festival (HPLFF) and the Pacific NW premier of Richard Stanley's colourful Color Out of Space adaption of Lovecraft's famous story.

Color shows why Stanley should do more feature films (hopefully more Lovecraft or weird tale adaptions) as his passion and his knowledge of the source material shines through... much like Lavinia's forehead. It is also a very personal film for Richard as it touches on elements from his own life.

Over all the film is solid and I think the cinematography is great with very well-done CGI. Richard focuses on the family as he should but it feels like the movie has been edited down as we have gaps in the appearance of certain characters who only appear in the first and last acts. The most creepy and unnerving scene is with actor Tommy Chong near the end of the film... it is really perfect. The weakest part of the film for me is Nicholas Cage ... he is okay but distracts from the film at times. I would have preferred to have seen more of Madeleine Arthur as Lavinia Gardner.

Overall I am giving this an 8 since it is a serious attempt at a Lovecraft adaptation and hits the cosmic horror nail on the head... however I think most mainstream viewers won't get the love to source material and give it a much lower rating.

"It was just a colour out of space - a frightful messenger from unformed realms of infinity beyond all Nature as we know it; from realms whose mere existence stuns the brain and numbs us with the black extra-cosmic gulfs it throws open before our frenzied eyes." -- H.P. Lovecraft, The Colour Out of Space

Lovecraft was very proud of "The Colour out of Space" calling it "my best tale" and "the only one of the lot which I take any pride in." Richard should take pride in his adaption as well.

It seems fairly obvious to me who has and who has not read this short story, or any Lovecraft for that matter. So many reviews rating this movie a 1 and claiming that there is no point to the movie. A lot of Lovecraft's work is centered around how terrifying the "unknown" is. You are supposed to feel unnerved and confused, you are meant to ask yourself "What the hell is going on?" No this movie may not be a 100% pure adaptation to the original story, but any Lovecraft story will need some tweaks to translate to film, that is just the nature of his stories. They are meant to tap into the limits of your imagination. That is harder to do with visual movies. Anyway, if you enjoy Lovecraft them give this movie a watch!

Felt like elements from 'the shining', 'signs' and 'the thing' so I loved that side of it, the effects are glorious, cage having fun with the role, loses points for unrewarding payoff but a gripping ride that seems to have something to say.

I read into it some interesting metaphors about cancer effects on family, off grid hobby farming, land management/indigenous culture, I don't know the source material or if these things were intentional. Hope the director makes more I love the Carpenter style of it all.

What's starts out as a strong and interesting movie. Slowly turns into something where nobody knows what next to do - especially the director.