The Raven (2012): John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe

     Directed by James McTeigue, and written by Ben Livingston and Hannah Shakespeare, The Raven (2012) is a far-fetched and enjoyable murder mystery. The story centers on 19th Century author Edgar Allan Poe, who finds himself part of a police hunt for a serial killer that is using Poe's own dark stories as inspiration for gruesome murder. Referenced Poe tales include The Pit and the Pendulum, Murders in the Rue Morgue, The Tell-Tale Heart, A Cask of Amontillado and The Masque of the Red Death. The dimly-lit cinematography adds to the eery feel. John Cusack delivers a good performance as Edgar Allan Poe. The supporting cast is fine as well, including Brendan Gleeson, Alice Eve and Luke Evans. 

: The Raven

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven

: The Raven

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven

: The Raven

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven

: The Raven

: The Raven

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven

: The Raven

: The Raven

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven

John Cusack as Edgar Allan Poe: The Raven

"The Raven"- movie trailer

Rashomon (1950): Akira Kurosawa's Samurai Tale

     Co-written and directed by Akira Kurosawa, Rashomon (1950) was a combination of two stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa: "Rashomon" and "In a Grove". The film was innovative in it's use of a complex storyline combining different views of the same scenario... after a samurai is found murdered in a nearby forest. With cinematography by Kazuo Miyagawa, the visuals presented are unforgettable. Rashomon is widely considered to be a masterpiece... and the film that introduced Japanese cinema to Western audiences. The cast is great, including Toshiro Mifune, Masayuki Mori, Machiko Kyo, Takashi Shimura and Minoru Chiaki.

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

Rashomon

"Rashomon"- movie trailer

Warlock (1989): Julian Sands and Satan's Grand Grimoire

     Directed by Steve Miner, and written by David Twohy, Warlock (1989) has become a Horror Cult Classic. It spawned a modest franchise, including sequels and video games for SEGA Genesis and Super Nintendo NES. Completed in 1988, the film was not released until 1991 due to the financial difficulties of the original production studio. The story concerns a Warlock, a male witch, who time travels 300 years from 1691 Boston to 1980's California in a quest to reassemble the scattered pieces of The Grand Grimoire: Satan's Bible. Julian Sands is excellent and terrifying as the Warlock. Richard E. Grant is great as the 17th Century witch hunter sent to stop him. Lori Singer is wonderful as the 1980's gal that helps save existence. 

: Warlock

Julian Sands: Warlock

: Warlock

Julian Sands: Warlock

: Warlock

: Warlock

Julian Sands: Warlock

: Warlock

Julian Sands: Warlock

Julian Sands: Warlock

Julian Sands: Warlock

: Warlock

: Warlock

"Warlock"- movie trailer