In the Mouth of Madness
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Movie Reviews of In the Mouth of Madness
Movie Review: A Standard For Other Horror Movies To Aspire Towards
Summary: 5 Stars
"In the Mouth of Madness" is director John Carpenter's crowning achievement, and a serious gem of a movie that ranks among the top ten best films of all time. All the elements of a superb movie have been painstakingly laid down into their proper places - everything here just clicks. This movie practically demands to be seen repeatedly, because with each successive viewing the watcher will unearth another little detail that went unnoticed the last time. It's obvious that a ridiculous amount of attention was paid to each and every component of the movie to ensure all the individual parts, from the smallest and most minute detail to the largest scene, worked together to form an amazing and cohesive whole.
The major driving force behind the movie is reminiscent of the Lovecraftian mythos - that the reality we know and love can be altered drastically, and not necessarily for the better. The story focuses around insurance investigator John Trent, and his search for the missing horror novelist Sutter Cane. It seems that riots and acts of random violence are on a disturbingly serious rise due in some part to Cane. His books have become in such high demand that people become violent when his new work is postponed due to his disappearance.
The ideas presented here work on two different levels. First off, they are genuinely horrifying. Linda Styles, Sutter Cane's editor, makes the statement that "reality is just what we tell each other it is - sane and insane could easily switch places". Here's were the horror comes in. Right now the majority of the world believes that good prevails, that God is looking out for us, and that horrible slithering things that go bump in the night are just fairy tales. But what if people's perception of reality took a decidedly more dark and harrowing bent? Suppose people stopped believing in the Bible and the Declaration of Independence and Doctor Phil, and started believing in the works of say...a horror novelist? The world could quickly become a place you wouldn't want to live in. A place that would be a breeding ground for the more malevolent beings of mankind's past, those evil and sadistic gods that nobody talks about anymore. The horror factor aside, this movie works because these ideas are genuinely thought provoking. Who's to say reality itself wouldn't change if everyone started consciously following a different set of beliefs?
The sets and effects in the film are absolutely top-notch. The black church and it's hideously unholy interior decorating job is something not to be missed! The scary creatures in the movie were done incredibly well. Slightly decayed undead children, tentacled and toothy horrors hiding just beyond the edge of the light, and a woman who will definitely need to see a chiropractor after the way she contorts her body (think the little girl from the Exorcist - only ten times worse) all create a superbly terrifying atmosphere. The creatures are given the absolute perfect amount of screen time, just enough to whet the appetite, but not enough to ruin the effect or make things look silly. Several of the smaller effects are put to sufficiently creepy use as well. After being forced to read what will become the "new Bible" of the ages, a character cries tears of blood, which is seriously unsettling. A few moments of dark humor pop up as well. At the beginning of the movie, watch the doctor's facial expressions as Trent attempts to escape from the asylum. The face he makes when a guard gets kicked squarely in the junk is absolutely priceless. Watch for a great sequence towards the end of the film when the question "Did you ever know my favorite color was Blue?" is asked. To explain any further would likely ruin the suprise, just be aware what happens next, while not "laugh out loud" funny, is on some deeper level absolutely hilarious.
There are several big name actors, as well as people who would become big name actors, populating In the Mouth of Madness. Charlton Heston is there in what seems to be a rather strange role for him, as well as the underrated Sam Niell. If you look hard enough, you'll even see a young Hayden Christanson playing a paper boy (Yes the Hayden Christianson of seriously miscast Anakin Skywalker fame).
This movie gets better each time you see it. Get ahold of it as soon as you can - you won't be disappointed.
Movie Review: Great Horror Movie with Great Concepts
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an either love it or hate it kind of movie that seems to have earned (little) at the box office and instead a small following that; either praise it's nods to Lovecraft or snarl at it for not capturing enough of his true visions. Simply put "In the Mouth of Madness" has some viewers liking it and the way it's filmed; while the rest won't appreciate the underlying messages and questions it conjures up. In the case of this viewer it was definitely liked and frequents many repeated viewings
The plot of the film starts out in odd fashion in a mental institute and is recapping the events of the story with hints of the dark repurcussions (giving delicious hints in a few sparse and direct comments made by characters "Things must really be getting bad out there to send you boys in." as an example) of the main events by the film. That are about to be told (but not verbally narrated) first hand by the main character.
The story itself follows John Trent (played brilliantly by Sam Neil), as a freelance insurance investigator who definitely is excellent at what he does-catching phony claims and bringing frauds to light. Trent is called into to debunk the biggest claim for an insurance firm that frequently hires him. The claim? The cash cow horror writer Sutter Cane (played by Jurgen Prochnow, as a none to subtle nod to Stephen King) has gone missing and his latest novel is in serious demand and needs to be published soon as his fans are (litterally) getting restless. Trent quickly jumps on the mystery of the missing horror writer (hired by a character played, in a neat cameo by; Charleton Heston) motivated directly from life example of strange effects Cane's writing has on some of it's readers. Together with Canes personal editor Linda Styles (played in uninspiring but not unlikeable fashion by Julie Carmen) Trent and Styles head out to the previously thought of fictional town of Hobbs End, the main setting of nearly all of Cane's novel in attempt to find the writer. From there we have a trippy but not too completely hard to follow narration of the events that raise some interesting and sometimes disturbing questions about the nature of human belief and the role of fiction in our lives. This film is perhaps one of Carpenter's better and best films that is decidedly under appreciated.
The film refreshingly doesn't follow the traditional route of gorgeous people in gorgeous and some how sexy slash and hack situations as most horror movies do. The cast is rather plain and brillaintly acted. It is also instead faithfully carried out with the refreshing belief it's viewers are smart enough to understand some of it's moments of symbolism and cut and flashing scenes throughout. As the film goes on the gore remains even throughout while it's scenes get darker and more disturbing as Trent comes to realize that perhaps all of what he's experiencing isn't an elaborate hoax. It is here as the true underlying horror of Cane's novels nod to Lovecraft in their true nature, even without the names Lovecraft gave them.
However it is the cast and the questions this film raises that really mark it as a great film, as the questions are definitely thought enducing even while not being life changing. After all who hasn't asked the question what is reality and what isn't? (Or is that unreality?) This being 2006 a long enough time since the Matrix films were released these questions when viewed now won't raise any real eyebrows with viewers. The cast of the film is suberb, with Neil in his usual undermining brilliance and those people his character Trent encounter leaving a lasting impression. Fitting in perfectly with the odd picture the film paints (check out one of the final scenes in the movie, after the climax-for a much younger Hayden Christansen putting in an apperance!)
As brillaint as "The Thing" (another very under appreciated, especially at the box office-movie) and with a less plodding pace to it. "In the Mouth of Madness" is a brillant film worthy of watching on a stormy night with a few friends and a bowl of popcorn. A definite must see for horror fans (who like their horror with a little thought behind them).
Movie Review: WONDERFUL NODS TO H.P LOVECRAFT...GREAT FILM.
Summary: 5 Stars
Ahhhhh....finally, aside from "The Resurrected", someone pays homage to master horror miester H.P. Lovecraft and captures the feel of his body of work without using the name to create a terrible, irrelevant film. "In The Mouth of Madness" is not based on any particular work or works of Lovecraft, but more a tribute to an underrated genius. There will be some spoilers below, so avert your eyes if you haven't seen the film yet.The plot is indeed horrifying. Trying to seperate what is real and what is imagined, only to later discover that the only reason you exist is because some other-worldy entity scrpited you into reality, all the while slowly losing your sanity. If you are an avid reader of Lovecraft, you will discover new homages to his works and mythos each time you watch( look for tributes to "The Dunwich Horror" when Trent is leaving Hobbs End, and to "Haunter of the Dark", with the Old Stone Church). The film captures the essence of the Cthulhu mythos so well.....the nether world and insanity could be right behind the next door you open. In the end, our fate is in something else's hand and the entire world, no matter what we do, is ultimately plunged into utter chaos, where the madmen rule supreme, and all our heroes are the ones locked away, reduced to raving lunatics.
The storyline follows insurance investigator John Trent(Sam Neill, perfectly casted), who is charged with finding a publishing company's star horror writer and biggest seller, Sutter Cane(brilliantly portrayed by Jurgen Prochnow). Cane's books seem to take on a life of their own and show a strange hold over his readers, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. Trent believes this to be a publicity stunt, but reluctantly agrees to take up the case. Tagging along with him is Cane's literary agent(Julie Carmen, so-so performance). As the case unfolds, so too do the wrappings of Trent's mind. Cane is not missing, but is actually writing his masterpiece, which is also the story you see taking place as the film progresses. The pair explore places that don't exist, meet people that were never born, and see things that man was never meant to lay eyes on. And ironically, we eventually learn that from the beginning of the film, our main characters have been scripted into an alternate reality created by Cane's writings. The great ending of the film completes the spiral into madness for Trent, sending reality into the darkness forever and replacing the known world with a macabre mirror-image.
The DVD edition is excellent, including a full commentary by John Carpenter and others involved in the film. I feel the bone-chilling soundtrack is Carpenter's best, bar none. Critically acclaimed and hailed by many Carpenter fans as one of his best works, "In the Mouth of Madness" belongs in every horror fan's DVD collection. By the way, there's even a small role for Moses himself. Charlton Heston plays the president of Cane's publishing company.
Movie Review: In the Mouth of Madness...
Summary: 5 Stars
?ª??articular terrible tale of fright, the nightmare world of a novelist becomes reality, & it is up to the publisher to find the missing author, that the horrors may be contained. But in order to accomplish this, he must submerge himself into the very horrors of the stories themselves. He encounters many wickedly confusing & uncanny situations. The only map out of this hell, are the books, & the key becomes his wits & daring. Wit the help of a devious companion planted by the book company, they both go through a maze of contorted existence, spawned by the evil genius of the Horror writer, who, incidently, becomes possessed by Lovecraftian demons. This is the second recent movie to come out about the omnipotence of the writer. For it is he, of this most noble of professions, that that create worlds & residents thereof. Philosophers lay down the stablizing foundation for others to persue their aspirations. Writers create those precious evocations that is reflected back upon.
The fact that these themed movies are coming out more often, tells Me that they are finally getting it! At last, a return to the appreciation of Godflesh! The proles in the audience were speachless, scared out of their wits, & taking any consolation from the possible truth by laughing raucously at the jokes cracked by the characters, from time to time.
From The Mouth of Madness is the top masterpiece by the great John Carpenter, who brought us such shocking epics like Halloween I & II. Nowadays, he is concentrating more on psychological-horror, rather than slasher flicks. Which is a brilliant move, since the eustress of mere entertainment crosses over into the space of the viewer, & creates a bit of distress.
The impression one derives from this newest cinematic assault, id the pervasive possibility of all. What if it were true? It SEEMS completely plausible, & how do you know that this life is not just the imagination-child of a writer? How can you tell that you are not just a character invented to act in a story? In any case, xians seem to think so. Their invisible friend, "jesus", & their castles in the sky.....
I would rename this type of movie, a Parapsychological-Thriller, because of its supernatural facts. It is a reflection of the Microcosm upon the sphere of one's personal universe. {Microcosm=Universe / Macrocosm=Omniverse}.
The major morale of the story, Satanically speaking, is that Man is God. Whatever a Superior Mind can invoke, can & does become manifest. The scale of the creation depending upon the multifusion of believers. This therefore, produces a dimension, which can be tapped into by emotionally-charged output; intigration of belief.
For those who are easily susceptible to suggestion, go see this movie! For those of you who enjoy a marvellously stimulating night out, there it is. From The Mouth Of Madness is a valuable gem of parapsychologic knowledge to those who can recognize it.
Movie Review: JOHN CARPENDER'S TRIBUTE TO LOVECRAFT.
Summary: 5 Stars
'In The Mouth Of Madness' is the third fim in what is loosly refered to as 'The Apocalypse Trilogy' along with 'The Thing' and 'The Prince Of Darkness'. Although they are considered a trilogy, these movies have nothing in commen exept for the world, or reality, coming to an end. With, I.T.M.O.M. Carpender took a Lovecraft approach that is very sucsessfull.
The story starts off with our protagonist, John Trent(Sam Neill) being haulled into an insane asylum. When the doctor enters the room, he sees tht John has covered the entire room with crosses. John tells a wild story involving demons and books and the author Sutter Cane(Juregen Prochnow) that makes up the bulk of the movie. In the biggining of his rant, John is an investigator for an insurance company that is given an assignment to find the pulp horror author Sutter Cane who has gone missing right before his new book is to be published. There's something wrong right from the get-go! While the details of the assignment are being discussed, Cain's agent attacks John with an axe. Apparently, the People who have been reading Cain's stuff have benn going 'mad' and commiting crimes. Later that night while studying Cain's books, Trent discovers a map of sorts hidden within the books. Thinking it's all just a puplicity stunt, Trent and another publicist, Linda Styles(Julie Carmen), decide to pack up and go to the place indicated on the hiddden map "Hobbs End". As they approach the town, increasingly bizarre things start to occur, then Styles realizes that they may just be pawns in a much greater 'Story'.
I.T.M.O.M. is one of my favorite Lovecraft style movies. As far as the story goes; It's sort of Non-Linear but very well thought out. There are themes concerning the relationship between violence and entertainment, How we, as a whole and as individuals, percieve reality, and free-will all intertwind within a supernatural VS. insanity story.
The acting is great, but there are a few spot that are a little cheesy toward the beginning, other than that it's solid. The dialog is solid, but again, in a few scenes at the beginning, it's a little cheesy.
The editing is so important to this movie!! Not only because the bulk of the movie is told through flashback, but because the line between reality, the supernatural, and insanity is really blurred. Without the great editing this movie could have flopped.
The movie has nice sound effects also. Bizarre background music and effects are heard when 'weird' scenes take place. The special effects are great! You'll see the creepiest albino ever, Zombie children, A somewhat paranoid old women with something to hide, and one of the weirdest 'transformation' scenes ever(amoung much more weirdness).
If your a fan of Lovecraft and fantacy horror, 'In The Mouth Of Madness' is one of the best and is a must have!