Son of Sam
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Son of Sam is another Uli Lommell home run. Once again he gets tasked with directing a movie about a real life serial killer. Once again he uses all the camera effects and digital tricks he could get his hands on. His vision of making films into art is one I wholly embrace. His films feel like your visiting a fine art museum in some bustling city.

I think we all know the Son of Sam story by now. A postal carrier by the name of Berkowitz was told by his dog to kill people, so he did. He did not have any past record, and he was generally thought of as a swell guy until he started listening to the dog. Now I can understand listening to a dog if the dog in question is say, Lassie. But if the dog in question calls itself "Demon", you better just leave well enough alone.

Berkowitz was a self proclaimed Satanist. He claims he was a part of a coven and that other coven members were also doing heinous crimes. This was never proven. However, this movie takes the stance that it did occur, and the movie spends allot of time following this cult through Berkowitz's first induction through his imprisonment.

It's creepy as hell, and we get to see all the sick looking blood rituals. Some woman who appeared to be either the leader or mascot for the coven liked to walk around half naked. I have to support the willingness of her to do that, even if it is for the wrong reasons. There is a lot of chanting and candle burning. All very stereotypical of what you would expect a coven to be.

Now we all know this story, so don't go into it expecting to be enlightened about anything new. The reason to go to see this film is to see Lommell's brilliant artistic hand at work. Plus the gore. Gotta love gore. Ole Uli isn't shy about wasting buckets of blood eh? The acting in this movie was adequate. It was nothing great, but it wasn't horribly bad either. It kept my attention for a full two hours which is more then you can say about most films today.

Added:  Thursday, August 14, 2008
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