Lovecracked! The Movie. USA/UK/Sweden 2006. Directed by Elias etc.

Investigative journalist tries to find out the mysterious truth behind H.P. Lovecraft. He will soon notice that his curiousity leads him to highly awkward situations.

Lovecracked! The Movie is a collaboration of directors across USA, UK and Sweden. This shoestring budget horror-comedy takes a Creepshow-type episode film to its own and new level. The humour is very often odd, very often hilarious and sometimes highly outrageous. But it may not be a surprise that the differences between the filmmakers and the tone of their efforts have an unavoidable effect of making other segments feel much more appealing than other ones - and vice versa. As a collection of Lovecraft-inspired short films, Lovecracked! The Movie works quite well.

Lovecracked! The Movie and its segments have a lot of potential -and the whacko narrative script includes hilarious situations, great one-liners and even somewhat genious ideas. The things that bother the most are the most obvious ones too. The acting is not (understandably) the strongest part and some scenes last way too long. In a comedy like this, the latter is more important to get fixed next time. Comedy is still the most difficult genre. For Lovecraft fans out there, you can find Randolph Carter and the thing on the doorstep, as well as other familiar creatures and characters in this film. And many of them in situations you don't necessary expect.

Running narrative includes the primus motor of this movie, Elias, as the narrator and he does a good job staying straight-faced. These segments as well as black & whiteys "Bugboy" and "Chaos of the Flesh" are one of the most enjoyable. The eighth' segment, "Re-Penetrator" includes some very disturbing scenes of sex and violence. I feel almost guilty to admit that this segment is also one of the funniest here...

One must respect the brave approach to collaborative filmmaking, although the filmmakers do not exactly hit the bulls' eye this time. I can only imagine the possibilities, and I am pretty much sure that Elias & co. can make it much better some day. Before that, you can check out Lovecracked : The Movie on DVD and maybe skip the parts you don't like. Or select the segments by your mood, perhaps?

Lovecracked features also Lloyd Kaufman (Troma) and pornstar Joanna Angel among others. The DVD release (all regions) contains short films, blooper reels, music videos and trailers as extra material.