Sorry, this movie sucks

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Andrew Prine is the whole show in this otherwise thoroughly disappointing occult thriller which has a modern-day warlock named Simon, an actual magician of the black arts, living in a storm sewer and befriended by a young hustler with connections to a decadent circle of people. After one of the wealthy naysayers crosses Simon--and writes a bad check for his tarot reading--the male-witch is challenged to exact his revenge (and he must do so or lose his power). His talents also come in handy when his friend needs help seducing a married lady, or when the district attorney and the chief of police come down hard on the local potheads for using, but soon Simon finds himself at the mercy of his own magic. Prine's pithy, hipster-cool approach to the titular role is almost charming at times, that is until Simon is turned into his own worst enemy. Prine is also the only actor in the cast capable of giving a performance, everyone else being an amateur. Director Bruce Kessler spends far too time on the goof-off dopers sitting in front of their TV set watching the news reports--did he run out of material? Also, the special effects (a bowl of roses wilting, a violent rainstorm, a bright red specter) are sub-par. There's also a curious gay vibe early in the movie that is soon proved to be a false lead: Simon's buddy comes on like a midnight cowboy, a streetwise teen-swinger, but is soon revealed to be just a regular boy with a crush on a girl. In the film's worst scene, he sets up a "faggot" for Simon is to use in a ritual to create a supernatural charge, which is played for a nasty laugh yet shows the direction screenwriter Robert Phippeny was inclined to take: put the plot into motion with a 'realistic' portrait of a magician, then undercut the scenario with crude humor and melodrama. *1/2 from ****

It's always a delight to discover a new obscure film. Even if from 1971. I'm discovering that the films of the 70's are some of the best and this is one of them.The film is about Simon, a modern day warlock who takes his witchcraft very serious. He may be homeless but he was born with power and challenges others who are skeptical of his skills as a witch. The film is vibrant, colorful, earthy, and isn't afraid to touch on many topics that back then were a bit taboo. I can imagine some people probably thought this was quite bizarre when they first viewed it. Of course, today young people would be put off by the low budget optical effects, and they are a bit dated, but there is no denying Andrew Prine's mesmerizing performance and his belief in this character. Many actors today cannot achieve this deep committed level of concentration for their character. It isn't a perfect film. There are a few moments that feel made for TV and as I mentioned the optical effects are dated. But there is no denying the interesting characters and the commitment everyone made on this film. I can't wait to watch it again.

Powerful and charismatic warlock Simon Sinestrari (superbly played with lip-smacking aplomb by Andrew Prine) resides in the Los Angeles storm drains and ekes out a living entertaining stuck-up hippies at posh parties. Simon uses black magic to get revenge on those folks who dare mock, scorn and persecute him. Director Bruce Kessler, working from a witty and intriguing script by real-life practicing warlock Robert Phippeny, delivers an offbeat and enjoyable slice of vintage early 70's horror exploitation weirdness. This film hits its fabulously freaky zenith during a gloriously lurid Satanic ceremony. The cast are all uniformly fine, with nice performances by Brenda Scott as the lovely, smitten Linda, George Paulsin as Simon's sweet, naive young best friend Turk, Angus Duncan as the arrogant Colin, Andy Warhol Factory superstar Ultra Violet as kooky devil cult leader Sarah, Norman Burton as stern, disapproving district attorney Rackum, and Richard Ford Grayling as pesky narc John Peter. Best of all, Prine really throws himself into his juicy lead role; he performs the spellcasting scenes in particular with tremendous flair and intensity. David L. Butler's slick, garish cinematography, the flavorsome period counterculture setting, a spooky'n'shuddery ooga-booga score by Stu Phillips, a pleasing surplus of tasty female nudity, and the gaudy low-fi special effects all further enhance the infectiously funky fun of this total trippy blast.

This is barely a horror movie. There are only a few deaths on screen, and very little blood. What this movie lacks in gore, it makes up for it with the concentration of Prine's performance, the period psychedelic fashions, and the amusing dialog and situations. Saw this here in L.A. at a revival screening this week. Andrew Prine was on hand and talked about the film for a bit. Apparently, this film was written by a real warlock, and this was "his story." This probably accounts for the deadly serious tone of someone writing a memoir with earnest purposefulness. Prine took the film to make the jump from supporting roles to a lead, and he sank his teeth into the role, pouring all his intensity into a very stong performance. Even when he does something silly and laughable like talking to a huge tree ("Hello, my old friend, how are you?"), he remains utterly believable as that character, even though you laugh. Fans of high Hippie Couture and silly psychedelic effects (dig the trippy "walking into the mirror" effect) have some good stuff here to treat their eyes with. (If you liked the look of "Psych Out" or "The Trip" you'll have a ball.) There's a fairly linear plot with a few twists, but overall an enjoyable ride. Recommended, if you can find it. I believe it is not available on DVD and the print that was screened was purportedly "one of only three in existence." UPDATE 1/2008: Reports on the internet state that this film will becoming out on DVD, later this year, 2008. I will probably be picking up a copy when it comes out. It was quite an enjoyable viewing and I am looking forward to exposing it to my friends. Yeah boy!