27 January 2020

A Lovecraft Cinematic Universe?


H.P. Lovecraft’s classic story, “The Colour Out of Space,” is one of my all-time favourites. So I’m relieved to see that the reviews for the new film based upon it, directed by Richard Stanley and featuring Nicolas Cage, have been generally positive. It’s at “84% fresh” right now at Rotten Tomatoes.

I don’t know when I’ll be able to see it myself — the film doesn’t appear to be in wide release, and is not currently playing anywhere in Milwaukee — but see it eventually I shall!

(Alas, the film title uses “Color” not “Colour” in its title. Pity. I’ve always found amusing Lovecraft’s adamant use of British spelling in all his works, despite being American himself. And as a Canadian, “Color” just looks wrong.)

This review at Ars Technica, in addition to including a nice slideshow of stills from the movie, has a brief explainer called, “Why Aren’t There More Lovecraft Movies?” But it looks like we will be getting at least two more, including The Dunwich Horror. This in particular looks intriguing:
“With Dunwich Horror, we'll go on campus and get back to Miskatonic University… We'll also get to deal with the Necronomicon, the black book at the core of the mythos.”
I really hope that this new “Lovecraft cinematic universe” does not disappoint fans of the original tales!

3 comments:

  1. > and featuring Nicolas Cage

    Hmm... I suppose it's possible he could turn in another Raising Arizona or Leaving Las Vegas level performance. I'm just not hopeful.

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  2. I saw it in Madison, WI for a one-night showing. I thought it was really good, but not great. Nicholas Cage was awesome, BTW. The thing I was missing was the Stuart Gordon sleaze. Where's the T&A?

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I'm a Canadian political philosopher who lives primarily in Toronto but teaches in Milwaukee (sometimes in person, sometimes online).