Note from the editor: "Thank you all for the many E-mails we have received. I will try to answer as many as possible, but given the overwhelming response to this website, please be patient. To answer the main question everyone is asking...yes, my staff & I are working on a new version of "Movie Obscura" magazine, and we hope to get it up and running by the end of 2009. Thank you all". -James K. Edwards

Friday, March 28, 2008

"The Contents" (2005)

"The Contents" Robert Cannon's film version of the Kell Maxwell novel. A young woman recieves a mysterious box in the mail with nothing but a key in it. With no return address on the package, she dismisses it as junk mail & throws it out. The next day the package reappears on her kitchen table. This tautly directed thriller features a stellar performance by Lynn Jennings. (111 mins.)

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

"Unearthed" (1994)

Unearthed. Jaime & Gretchen are two sisters who one day dig up a strange rock from their yard. Everything is fine til a week later 5 year old Jaime is speaking several languages & 3 year old Gretchen is solving the New York Times crossword puzzle. Their parents are about to take them to the hospital to have them checked out, but the girls unleash a terrifying chain of events that threatens the whole town. "A Horrifying Fairy Tale Not To Be Missed" -New York Entertainment Times (90mins.)

Monday, March 24, 2008

The 24th Lantern

Director Harold Pysone's religious medevil thriller. In the 12th century, a local craftsman was commisioned to make 50 gold lanterns for the King of England. After completing the 24th, the lantern maker was murdered and that lantern disappeared. Now in present day, a young woman discovers her grandfather's notebook detailing the actual reason why the lantern was taken, the man murdered, and a secret hidden by the Church of England for hundreds of years. (88 mins.)

The Eye (2003)


Forget the American version, see the original Chinese version. THE EYE, directed by twin brothers Danny and Oxide Pang, is a Chinese/Thai horror film that focuses on Mun (Sin-je Lee), a cornea-transplant recipient who has been blind most of her life. As Mun adjusts to her newfound sight, she begins to see haunting visions of dead people. As these terrifying visions become more frequent, Mun turns to a young psychiatrist, Dr. Wah (Lawrence Chou), for help. Eventually the two track the identity of the deceased eye donor to Thailand, and there the mystery is finally brought to light. With THE EYE, the Pang brothers enter the increasingly populated subgenre of contemporary Asian horror. Although the "I-see-dead-people" plotline has been investigated numerous times, THE EYE manages to put a different lens on the idea through subtleties in the story and the charismatic performance of the radiant Sin-je Lee. Featuring scenes that will make all viewers wary of elevators, hospital recovery wards, and calligraphy, this film offers truly startling moments that will linger in the mind's eye for a long time. (99 min.)

Sunday, March 23, 2008

"Nebraska Odyssey" (1977)

Linda's husband has just run out on her. Harry's wife has run out on him. Linda lives in Los Angeles. Harry lives in New York. On the same day each jumped in their own car heading for the opposite coast only to find each other on a stretch of highway where fate takes a hand. First time director Janice Campbell introduces us to two people finding faith in a most unusual landscape. "Director Janice Campbell delivers one of the most romantic movies in years!"-Glen Rendell, The Los Angeles Observer (115 mins.)

"Spider & The Diamond Of Death" (2006)

Based on the novels by Christopher Musgrave, this film chronicles the exploits of Spider Jackson, a renegade treasure hunter who breaks all the rules in the book of archeaology. An old Professor of Spider's old Alma Mata is killed, but not before sending him a package containing one piece of a diamond. A Diamond that legend has it gives the possesor the ability to will his or her enemies dead on sight. A race through the jungles of the Amazon, with an ancient deadly cult on his heels, has Spider leading viewers on a non-stop, heart thumping adventure. Starring newcomer Jason Harris as Spider Jackson. (95 mins.)

Saturday, March 22, 2008

"The Dream Reaper" (Director's Cut) (2009)


Sakiki Rei's director's cut version of his 1989 Japanese horror film about Ryuu, an accountant, who meets Yioki, who seems to be the perfect girl. After several dates, Ryuu begins to realize there is something terribly wrong with Yioki, and soon understands the real meaning of undying love. While not as graphic as "Audition" this new version, with 23 additional minutes, will have you squirming in your seats. The Teddy bear scene is not for the faint-hearted. (117 mins.)
*(note- originally scheduled for a 2006 release, the director's cut version has been pushed back to 2009 amidst legal disputes between Rei and his production company the Manami Film Group).

"Corruption" (2001)


French director Claude LeCroix's American political thriller. Amidst the background of the 1968 Democratic National Convention, LeCroix weaves a tale involving the murder of a senatorial aide, the CIA, various members of the Mafia, and local inhabitants of O'Malley's Southside Bar. When Jimmy Callahan (Frank Wesler) stumbles upon the notebook of the murdered victim, he is suddenly thrust into a serious of cryptic events that seem to indicate a future assasination plot. Even more upsetting is the realization that he is being set up as the assasin! Fine performances by all, especially newcomer Natasha Wu's chilling portrayal of a psychotic hit woman known only as "the Nun". Filmed in Black & White. (143 mins.)


Sunday, March 9, 2008

"Book Of Tomorrows" (1996)


A fantasy film from the mind of director James Kane. Residents of Lincoln, Nebraska wake up one morning to find themselves thirty years in the future and experiencing what their life would have wound up being like had they not made certain wrong choices when they were younger. Based on the novel "One Day Too Late". Starring Kenneth Dennotto and Fay Nero. 112 mins.

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Roma Roma (2003)

Independent filmaker Carlo Petrocelli directs in his own surreal style, a film of love, hate, revenge & murder. Lina, a waitress in Rome, has been dumped by her drug dealer husband, robbed of her savings by her brother, mentally abused by her mother, and otherwise having one terrible life. That is till she meets the mysterious stranger Gina. Gina seems to have miraculous influences and powers over everyone she meets, and soon turns the tables on all of Lina's adversaries. But Lina eventually realizes there is a terrible price to pay for all this new found happiness. A taut thriller from one of Italy's unknown masters of suspense. Starring Gina Rosetta as Lina and Tino Grecco as the spinetingling Gina. 104 mins.