Written by Elias (story and screenplay); H.P. Lovecraft (story and inspiration); Tomas Algren, Brian Barnes, Brian A. Bernhard, Rebecca Finley, Gillian MacGregor, Jane Rose, Simon Ruben, Doug Sakmann, Robbie Simons, Tom Wontner (segments)
Starring Lloyd Kaufman, Dan Payne, Chad Bernhard, Matt Renicks, Tom Wontner, Joanna Angel
Genre: Comedy / Fantasy / Horror / Thriller
Country: USA
Runtime: 87 minutes
MPAA Rating: No MPAA Rating.

Evaluation: 6.5/10
by Greg Ferguson


Cult fantasy/horror author H.P. Lovecraft is a figure who had escaped my attention until only recently when the opportunity to watch LovecraCked! The Movie, an endearing homage made by fans of the man, presented itself. Before sitting down I wondered to myself, as I still wonder now, whether this was a film intended for a newbie such as myself or someone more familiar with his various dark and disturbing canon. Though LovecraCked (why the cheekily capitalized "C"?) begins promisingly enough by letting the audience believe they're in for an amusing exploration of Lovecraft's life and works (courtesy of director Elias's turn as a geeky television documentarian), it awkwardly delves into an undiscerningly assembled series of short films by a smattering of directors ranging in mood and theme and strung together by more of Elias's earnest attempts at comedy. Perhaps it only felt haphazard, however, because of my lack of knowledge on the subject; I don't know. What I am sure of is that after having finished the film I was neither filled with a newfound appreciation of Lovecraft nor did I even learn much about him, and that is just about the most definitively damning thing one could possibly say about such a tribute to an artist.

Given its omnibus status, the best moments from LovecraCked! unsurprisingly come when taken individually and not part of the whole. Of the nine shorts featured, a few of them are stand-outs that make the film work seeking. "The History Of Lurkers" was a truly funny vignette if only because of its nakedly literal depiction of its two leads, both Gen-X Netherworld losers of a different sort (one unholy, the other unwholesome). By contrast, "Alecto," was an unsettling portrayal of a murderer haunted by memories of his nefarious deeds. Finally, "Bugboy" was a beautifully ugly slice of Cronenbergian insect gore that makes up for its unoriginality by favourably evoking the b-grade '50s horror vibe to a tee. Of the rest, I confess that I really wanted to like the tastelessly amped-up camp of "Re-Penetrator," but being a porno first and foremost it was only fun for a while before devolving into the reliably tiresome formula which pornos tend to follow. Thank goodness all we got was the abridged version; the original, I'm led to believe, lasts for nearly half an hour.

That said, I wish LovecraCked! could have been presented entirely in a more condensed version. Its remaining content is so flabby and borderline irritating that it felt like I'd hit a commercial break in the regular programming each time one came on (indeed, the point at which Tromaville president Lloyd Kaufman appears to plug various DVDs from his studio might as well have been one). Without these distractions (there is no kinder euphemism I can think of) to dwindle whatever momentum the film was trying to build, people less obligated to watch the whole thing may not be so inclined to skip around or lose interest outright. I'm not sure if Lovecraft himself deserved better, but I am sure that Elias and the team behind LovecraCked! could have done a more consistent job of helping me decide.

(For more information on LovecraCked! The Movie, please visit the official website by clicking here)