London Voodoo (2004)

Very Cool!!!

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

'London Voodoo' is a story about a corporate New Yorker who moves to London with his wife and child. The wife discovers the remains of a voodoo shrine in the cellar of their London apartment with very predictable consequences. While voodoo is normally associated with creole culture in the southern United States, London's vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture also maintains some remnants of voodoo practices. The minimal cultural differences between Britain and the US begs the question as to why US actors were needed in this film in the first place. The acting is amateur and wholly unconvincing. Movie fans will be sympathetic to what the movie is trying to achieve. However, this movie is destined for the bargain basement.

I found London Voodoo an intriguing and thought-provoking film, it has many different levels it which it can be enjoyed. At one level, it is a beautifully shot piece of cinematography, with many literally stunning, jaw dropping images. It's a thriller, that keeps you engrossed in the storyline from start to finish. The film has real meaning and relevance to modern life - the loss of love between the main couple caused by the stresses and demands of the husbands job being a central part of the plot. I would have liked to see more gore in places, but maybe this would have cheapened what is a classy well shot film. Overall I enjoyed the film a lot, and would certainly like to watch it again.

I often wonder when I read other sour reviews of excellent films posted on this site, what is going on through the confined and jaded thinking of some folk! I was lucky enough to catch the premiere of London Voodoo at the Fearless Tales Genre Fest in San Francisco this winter 2004 and was literally glued to the screen! For the first time since 1987's The Believers, and 1988's Serpent and the Rainbow, comes a stylish, authentic and urban tale of voodoo, possession, exorcism and redemption. London Voodoo is a film, much like Rosemary's Baby, in that it takes its time telling its story in order to reveal it's many hidden surprises.Manahattanites Lincoln (Doug Cockle) and Sarah (Sarah Stewart) move to London with their baby and take up residency in a poshy reconverted old townhouse - not knowing that their new (but old) home, especially the basement, has a very serious past. Settling into their new lifestyle, Lincoln establishes his executive career with a popular high-end company in midtown. Meanwhile, Sarah and her baby are left alone in an environment that is not only foreign, but also extremely lonely -and director Robert Pratten does wonders with his leading lady by slowly revealing her American neurosis of the classic misplaced 'Yankee' in a new country.With construction work going on throughout their new home, Sarah soon discovers a dark secret entombed in the basement. And this is where the film really takes off!London Voodoo offers it all. Mystery and intrigue soon turn to paranoia and mounting terror. I'm not going to reveal any more of the storyline - you have to see this one for yourselves! The supporting cast, especially Trisha Mortimer, Sven-Bertil Taube and the vampy Vonda Barnes only add to the great atmosphere and subplots of the film. It's easy to see why director Robert Pratten won Best Director at the Fearless Tales Genre Fest. His attention to detail - especially his knowledge of the very intricate practices of voodoo, white and black magic and spells, is a lesson in itself.And also noted is that his amazing ensemble' cast won the Best Acting accolades at the same festival- with kudos going to Cockle and Stewart. Finally a creepy tale that relies on real actors - and not 'stars'. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but horror movies should always put characters first to pull you in before unleashing its fright upon the audience. Much like the more polished fright flicks of the sixties such as Curtis Harrington's Games (1967), and even Freddie Francis' Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1965), London Voodoo is a cerebral and stylish foray into the horror/voodoo genre . chilling without showing much, therefore leaving a lot to the imagination - but trust me - you'll jump!

Tagline : True love is only possible with sacrifice.Synopsis : When a young man relocates his family from New York to London his wife discovers a new power that threatens to tear the family apart. As his wife's behavior becomes more violent and erratic, our hero accepts that to save the woman he married he must take a leap of faith.Plot/Story : From the beginning you get the vibe of a "Rosemary's Baby" type of film. A simple couple moving to a new town but mysterious things are lurking about. This one was more in your face on showing you the bad things that were happening, no mystery on what was in the cellar and what it held. Pace : No dull moments, no choppy story line. It grabs you from the beginning taking you for a ride and doesn't let up until the very end.Cast/Characters : Performances well done by all, was impressed with the acting skills of main characters involved. They gave variety to their parts to make each character stand alone.F/X : I have to say even though the film was well done I was a bit disappointed in the effects in the movie, or rather, just the lack thereof. I was expecting more of a demonic transformation of the possessed woman, hoping for a little bit more gore thrown in. Yes, I know it can be better to leave things to your imagination but on occasion you just need the blood thrown in your face.Jekyll's Final Thoughts : An enjoyable movie that will make you think twice before moving into a new home. I look forward to whatever Robert Pratten has in store for us down the line. This movie gets a 4 star rating from me.