Sorceress

Produced by Fred Olen Ray and directed by Jim Wynorski. The involvement of these two names is already a proper indication that "Sorceress" isn't exactly going to be a high work of cinematic art, but merely a sleazy and flat out insignificant piece of 90's trash. Olen Ray and Wynorski clearly weren't interested in a movie about witchery spells and supernatural revenge, they just wanted to exploit the voluptuous chests of their female cast members as much as humanly possible. And who can seriously blame them, if that cast includes names like Rochelle Swanson, Kristi Ducati, Toni Naples and Julie Strain? Actually, the biggest starlet of "Sorceress" is Linda Blair, but unfortunately she doesn't get topless. She just accidentally ended up in a hopelessly inept B-movie production … again. "Sorceress" has the most ludicrous and imbecilic plot imaginable but, as said already, you're not supposed to pay attention to little details like that. As a matter of fact, the film is really a predecessor to the successful TV-series "Desperate Housewives". This is about a bunch of spoiled and snobbish rich women, the wives and mistresses of lawyers of an acclaimed agency, who got so bored that they became experts in the field of witchcraft and demonology. They use their powers to get their husbands promoted or to make each others' lives miserable. When one of Erica's spells narrowly goes wrong, costing almost the life of Amelia's beloved husband Howard, her man Larry leaves her. Erica falls off a balcony during the struggle, but she has enough black magic wisdom to haunt Larry's sexual fantasies from beyond the grave. Meanwhile, Amelia is out for revenge as well and she's even supremely witch enough to have Erica reincarnate as Larry's new love- interest Carol. Admittedly this all sounds a lot more complex than it actually is. "Sorceress" is a fairly straightforward B-movie with an enormous amount of plot holes and silly conclusion. This film is about Julie Strain's kinky outfits, the lesbian threesome halfway through the film, the shower interlude of Kristi Ducati and – to a slightly lesser extent – the sexy charisma of a mature Linda Blair.

Bosomy witches Julie Strain and Linda Blair use their powers to try to help their respective husbands' careers. Julie's married to Larry Poindexter and Linda's married to Edward Albert. So neither lady is all that lucky. A lot of other stuff happens but who really gives a flip? Nudity enthusiasts should like it for its softcore content but, sadly, Linda Blair doesn't disrobe here. There's really nothing exciting or titillating about this movie. It's a big bore and a dumb one at that. The best thing I can say about it is that it has a lot of eye candy. Directed by Jim Wynorski, who never met a pair of fake boobs he didn't like.

There's an attempt at a story, but who are they trying to kid? Let's get this straight. Sorceress is purely a T&A flick, but it also delivers the goods. I stumbled onto the box at a video store and rented it just because of Julie Strain's name. If you watch any amount of T&A flicks or direct to video B-movies you know when she's the headliner in a movie exactly what you're getting. I wasn't disappointed.

Cheaply filmed, the cast is surprisingly better than you expect to see in this type of material. Though there won't be any acting awards given out. The story with it's witchcraft element is a bit silly and the ending quite stupid, but there's no denying the movie does it's job. Between the ladies featured there's enough T&A to keep you happy and former Penthouse Pet Julie Strain looks great here.

B cinema filmmaker Jim Wynorski gives his faithful audience all the sex and nudity they could want in this moderately amusing movie. The plot is pretty nonsensical, but since it's serving to set up a bunch of genuinely titillating sex scenes, it's doubtful that there are going to be many complaints on that front. Larry Poindexter plays a lawyer named Larry Barnes, whose wife Erica (Julie Strain) is a witch. She uses her powers to try to secure a critical promotion for her husband, but instead of killing his competitor, Howard (Edward Albert), she manages to cripple him. This sets off Howards' wife Amelia (Linda Blair), who is herself in tune with the occult. Predictably, she puts into motion a plan of revenge.

Wynorski puts a great deal of his efforts into stressing the erotic elements rather than traditional horror elements. (A note to the unaware: this isn't really a horror film at all, but an erotic thriller.) Technically speaking, it has to be one of the most accomplished things that Wynorski ever did; the filmmaking is pretty slick. Photography and picture quality are sublime, helping to show off every asset in the bodies of our attractive female cast. To that end, Wynorski deserves some respect for just diving in head first, giving us an eyeful of Strains' anatomy in the very first scene.

The acting is tolerable from most concerned. Michael Parks is a little under utilized as a gardener / murder suspect. Wynorski regular Lenny Juliano regularly walks away with his scenes as Larry's outgoing colleague. It's a treat to see William 'Blacula' Marshall as the senior partner at the firm. And Albert really is quite good. Fans of B movie babes will be pleased with the roster here: Strain, Rochelle Swanson, Toni Naples, Antonia Dorian, Kristi Ducati, Melissa Brasselle. Wynorskis' peer Fred Olen Ray produced, and plays the role of Bill Carson.

The movie does accomplish what it sets out to do, but it's really hurt by an aggravating, incredibly clichéd ending.

Seven out of 10.

Jeeeez... Jim Wynorski might be something close to like a cheese-maestro & bad B-movie king sometimes, but, man, this movie... There's adultery, naked boobies, a witch-babe into black magic, bigger naked boobies, witch-babe dying and maybe her spirit comes back from the dead to take revenge, but maybe not..., more naked boobies, Linda Blair, naked titty-witties, lesbian sex and naked threesome fun, nekkid boobie-woobies, no special effects,... Hmmm, but where was the plot? It must have been there but I didn't find it. I must have been distracted too much by all the naked breasts. Which I didn't mind too much, of course. But please, Wynorski, I like to see a movie come with the tits next time. Thank you.