The Black Gloves

Great comeback for the Owlman, even more disturbing this time round than in Lord Of Tears and is slowly becoming one of my favourite demons of all time.

A very original old school folk horror movie that stylistically takes you back to the 40's and 50's, shot beautifully in black and white which in my opinion enhances the whole creepy factor. This works so well with the Owlman, always silent, motionless, a twisted creature with two large black eyes that transfixes you to the screen while he penetrates your soul and mind in every scene.

The location bleak and gloomy (in a good way) with a wonderful eerie soundtrack that elevates the film to another level, a great idea to include the CD in the Collector's Edition DVD package.

The actors were all very strong and managed to give the characters their own uniqueness in someway, my personal favourite was Jamie Scott Gordon a different type of disturbing and psychotic portrayal than in the Unkindness of Ravens but as effective if not more.

In true Lawrie Brewster and Sarah Daly style this is another psychological and disturbing offering which this time also pays homage to past classics of the genre. Well done guys!!!

This movie is about some magical gloves or some nonsense with a lot of ballet as this Gordon guy whines and cries about his lover and eventual wife having delusions. The end is somewhat satisfying as he finally picks up some ballet moves of his own. 3/10.

I wish I could watch a black and white version of this film, but the colour one I saw was still good. Any idea where I can see the b&w version?

I really liked it anyway. Good old school slow burn horror.

The Black Gloves

Before I continue with the review let me just say that The Black Gloves is a VAST IMPROVEMENT over Brewster's previous Owlman film. The production value has exceptionally risen in terms of acting, cinematography, editing and visual storytelling. In his earlier work I was able to recognize moments of cleverness, significant ideas buried within and a unique voice peeking through. This is the first film I can confidently say that all those aspects have come into fruition.

Brewster returns to the story of the Owlman, this time blending gothic horror and noir with an arthouse aesthetic. At moments the film has a similar tone to the work of Jean Rollin, the way in which Brewster poeticizes death. At times it tends to have the visual feel of a gothic Bava film but leans more on the visual style of classic gothic films from Hollywood. I am pleased to say that his vision storytelling wise and visually is one of a kind and can't be compared to many directors, therefore creating a unique cinematic world.

Unlike Lord of Tears Brewster decides to utilize a more atmospheric approach to evoke the feeling of terror, which is effective and is complimented by black and white cinematography. The photography in this film is nothing short of gorgeous. I took note of Brewster's use of the wide angle lens and subtle dutch angles. As a cinematographer myself I highly admire that.

Lastly, I am happy that there is finally a "new monster" introduced into cinema. There has not been one that stood out to me that is considered significant since the days of 70's/80's horror (Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason etc.) The Owlman's visual look, and presence on screen is is appealing and leaves me wanting more..

From the opening titles, filmed in black and white, this film grabs you by your scary bone and never lets it go. More psychological and inferred scares than out and out in your face jumps and shocks, it slowly builds to a gut-wrenching finale where we a re re-introduced (or introduced for the first time, as it is kind of a prequel) to our friend The Owlman, a creature of such dread and horror, he will surely go down in the annals of monsters in fims in years to come. With his clawed hands, and otherworldly appearance, he stalks the stately home in the remote Scottish highlands, and no doubt the future dreams of all who watch this, and its unchronological sequel, Lord Of Tears. He pops up in shadow, and out of the corners of the eyes of our protagonists, and never fully reveals the true horror of his dread purpose and appearance until almost the end of the film. But it is worth the wait. Featuring the wonderful talents of Lexi Hulme and Jamie Scott Gordon (who was so powerful and haunting in Brewster and Daly's last film The Unkindness Of Ravens) and set in Baldurrock House in the Scottish Highlands, the remote setting and claustrophobic feel created by the black & white photography, really add to the all-pervading feel of doom and dread through which our Owlman prowls with sinister intent. Macarena Gomez, stars as the dememnted ballet teacher, trying to rebuild the confidence and career of a prima ballerina (Huime), somewhat over zealously. Hulme shows such innocence and fragility in one moment, and is boistrous and coquettish the next, it is hard to determine who out of the two is most damaged. Into this mix comes Gordon's psychologist, fresh from his own version of hell, after losing a patient at the hands of her deranged uncle, he sets out to redeem himself by trying to cure Elisa (Hulme) of her stage fright. Little by little, the madness that is inherant in the very walls of the house spreads to all concerned, bringing murder, decapitation and the aforementioned Owlman to a masterful and bloody conclusion. Dircted with panache and a real feel for the noire films that this draws so heavily upon by Lawrie Brewster, and with a soundtrack so evocative and creepy contributed by Joni Fuller, what you have here is a throwback to an age when scares were more in the mind and just out of view of the eye, rather than full-on total blood-bath crazy of todays horror movies. A welcome change to sit through and an immensely enjoyable trip back in time. Don't miss this. It is a real feast for the senses.