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Unnamable
II: The Statement of Randolph Carter
(1993)
Filmed
during the Lovecraft renaissance of the early 90's and
set immediately following the first "Unnamable"
film, Unnamable II does manage to incorporate portions
of the "Statement of Randolph Carter"
into its storyline. Unlike other, more mainstream, productions,
this movie doesn't rely on blood and gore. While it does
have its share of gore, is doesn't go over the top the
way the Re-Animator series does. Instead it relies
on story to drive it along.
The idea is simple, after separating the Demon from its
host Randolph Carter must try to destroy the demon. It
is that very simplicity that gives this movie some of
its charm. The movie relies on its locations and characters
to tell a fast paced, if simple, story. Indeed, one could
almost imagine the scenario playing out this way very
easily and the majority of the film has a very realistic
flow.
The casting for the movie is rather interesting. In a
time before Lovecraft porn
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to appear, adult movie star Julie Strain put on the costume
of the creature for this movie. Interestingly enough, this
may be the first movie where she didn't bare all for the
cameras. Another interesting bit of casting is John Rhys-Davies
as Professor Warren. |
Now,
I have said that Jeffrey Combs as "Herbert West" is
the guilty pleasure of Lovecraft cinema. If this is true then
Mark Kinsey Stephenson as Randolph Carter is Lovecraft cinema's
hidden gem. Stephenson's Carter is witty, charming and fun.
He also is quite adept at pointing out the obvious that most
people would like to overlook.
Howard
- Do we have to do this at night?
Carter
- Do you really think it would be any safer in the daytime?
Word
is that a third installment of this series is to begin shooting
summer 2005, twelve years after the release of this movie. I
can only hope that Stephenson returns in the title role, the
character won't be the same without him.
Of
course, the DVD release of this movie hits on my biggest pet
peeve, not a single bonus feature. No director commentary, no
preview trailer or even a stills gallery. Equally disturbing
is the fact that while the Unnamable II is available
on DVD, the original film the Unnamable isn't. Hopefully
someone will fix this eventually as I would love to have both
in my collection of DVDs. I think that not releasing them together
as a two disc set was a missed opportunity. Of course, in the
UK there is exactly what I would want, a pack with both movies,
loaded with extras, for £16.99. Hopefully Lions Gate films
will get the hint.
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Bob Brinkman
