HK Cat

I have been intrigued by the Mothman lore since the 1970s. So naturally when I found out that the myth was to find its way to the silver screen, I could hardly wait to purchase my ticket. After viewing the movie, however, I can't help but be a bit disappointed. Director Mark Pellington did comment that he did not want to make a monster movie, but rather a psychologically terrifying story. The problem I had with the film is that knowing that the story is not about the mothman as an entity, but rather the prophecies it tells, diluted its energy.

Cut this film down to say an hour and it would play better. Two hours and it becomes a drawn-out exercise in realizing a specific prophecy, which by the way is no secret. The trailers gave it away. So how can the tension sustain itself? I got tired of watching Richard Gere confounded by the endless barrage of haunting events. They seemed to repeat themselves over and over. And the answers to all this mystery was more mystery. At least in a film like "Memento," which was not meant to be anything more than a subjective interpretation of facts, it was clever. "Mothman" teased us. It gave us the Twilight Zone spookiness, with the reality of a disaster film. Yes, it followed the events of the book. Maybe a bit too closely.

As mentioned by many, the Gorgon is not your typical scare-fest horror film. It's driving force is its atmosphere, its lore and understanding various subplots. Cheaply made, the film has no doubt turned some to stone-cold hysterics with its campy effects and home movie-like makeup of the creature. While the story has wonderful elements of mystery and lure, it never reveals certain motivations. For example, why has the Gorgon's spirit returned to earth? What is the Cushing character's intentions? Many of the story's characters know the myth behind the murders (how many variations are there to a creature turning a man to stone with her gaze?), so controlling the creature was no revelation. But all that aside, the film's theme is captivating. If you don't expect a monster movie, but view this film as a mystery based on folklore and with a haunting backdrop, you too will be delighted with this hidden gem. There is a scene in castle, when Mageara first appears and we catch glimpses of her peeking out at a prospective victim. It's a tantalizing prelude to the terror to come. But the scene that had me mesmerized , and that singularly crystalizes the Gorgon's chilling presence is when she has turned a character with her demonic stare, then seemingly drifts back into the shadows. It is a strangely beautiful scene. The Gorgon, called the Mageara, is a true mystery. She has no emotion, no true motivation, and she is not shown stalking her prey. Like a black widow in human form, she merely waits for (perhaps even lures) innocent souls to come to her parlor. Mageara seemingly in incapable of harming man, except for her petrifying gaze; she quietly floats about the castle. If I were to remake this film, I would tell the story from the perspective of the female host, and the struggle to understand her curse. There is sheer tragedy in what Hammer has presented, and I find myself looking upon many of the story's characters with sense of sadness and doom. Finally, I want to say that I wish the stone victims could have turned quickly, like those poor souls in the film "Thief of Baghdad," with Steve Reeves. Oh well, just a last thought.

Love and a .45 is all about doing the Tarantino thing. Style, violence, humor, quirky characters. It has no shred of originality, only out-of-this-world situations and how the story's characters will swim through the chaos.

A professional robber and his gal are on the lam after killing law enforcement types. On their trail is a screwed and screwed-up ex-partner.

But that isn't to say this flick isn't entertaining. It's a wild ride to tell the truth. If Tarantino copies aren't your ilk, this one movie will ruffle your feathers. If it doesn't bother you, check this film out. Talkington seems to have some talent for making flicks, and if he could dig up something more clever, he could be a contender.