Severin Films Releases Artwork for Lost Soul - The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau

Lost Soul - The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley's Island of Dr. Moreau is a documentary feature will have its world premiere this Sunday, August 24th at the London Frightfest, followed by festival engagements at The Oldenburg Film Festival in Germany and Festival De L’Etrange in Paris. More festival dates, including North America, will be announced soon via the Severin Films Facebook page.

The filming of the ill-fated 1996 version of H. G. Welles’ THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU is the stuff of legend. For the first time since he was unceremoniously escorted off his longtime dream project, Richard (HARDWARE) Stanley reveals in detail his spectacular original vision and how it was all ripped apart at the seams. Cast members including Fairuza Balk, Marco Hofschneider and Rob Morrow, executives and producers Robert Shaye, Edward R. Pressman and Tim Zinnemann, concept artist Graham Humphreys, members of the Stan Winston Makeup Effects team as well as a host of cast and crew members recall the stories first hand of colossal egos run amok, a production way out of control, and how the original filmmaker was banished from the set but wouldn't let go. Directed by David Gregory (PLAGUE TOWN, THEATRE BIZARRE, GODFATHERS OF MONDO, THE JOE SPINELL STORY), this is the sensational story of what could have been a science fiction masterpiece which became a huge creative and financial disaster; the story of the outsider artist versus Hollywood machine.

Dose of Reality 2013 - REVIEW

I've closed a few bars down in my day but never worked in one, but I can imagine the kind of weird shit that goes down in the wee hours of the morning. Drunk people offering up all kinds of stuff for one more drink. People stumbling over each other to get out the door. Stalkers following hot chicks/dudes out to the parking lot hoping for a little something, something. I would assume, finding a drunk chick passed out in the bathroom stall is par for the course in that business.

It's closing time when a cocky bar manager Tony (Rick Ravanello) and his bartender Matt (Ryan Merriman) find Rose (Fairuza Balk) bloodied and unconscious in the bathroom of a bar. When she awakens, they are plunged into a stirring evening of dangerous role playing in an ever-escalating game of cat and mouse that forces them to face the dark shadows of themselves. As we begin to piece together the elaborate puzzle, nothing is what it seems. However, one thing is for certain: this Rose is full of thorns.

Let me go ahead and make a disclaimer here, this is not by any means a horror film. I'm not even sure it can be classified as a thriller. It's more of a slow paced mystery, in my opinion. The acting, as you can imagine is done rather well. You have a main cast that consists of people who have a strong foot hold in the horror genre. Balk (The Craft) plays the seriously damaged rape victim very well. Aside from the obvious damage inflicted this night, she most assuredly has some demons in her closet that would make any man run away in fear. Ravanello (The Cave) seems almost too good as the womanizing coke head... kinda makes one wonder. Just a little. Merriman (Final Destination 3) is all grown up and mature, well sort of, in this one. He puts on a great performance as well. That's about where it ends for me. Proof, once again, that great acting still can't save a film.

The slow pace of the film and it's ending is what kills it for me. There are so many things that could've been done to make it more interesting but it seemed like every time it was almost there, it all came crashing in on itself. The twist ending, while not one I saw coming, seemed lazily done and honestly a bit disappointing. Writer/director Christopher Glatis puts forth a valiant effort for someone still new to the game but I just don't feel he stretched far enough. I'd say if you're a fan of the cast, give it a go but don't say I didn't warn you about that ending. Hard core horror/thriller fans should probably stay far far away from this one.