Critic's Grade: D

Horrible. Just flat out disturbing. One of the worst movies I've seen in years. Nicholas Cage plays California cop Edward Malus, who while on highway patrol watches a mother and daugther get killed in a car accident while he was assisting them. He's tortured by this recurring nightmare because he tried to help the little girl escape and she did nothing but stare at him while the car was engulfed in flames. He subsequently receives a letter from his ex-wife stating that she is in danger at some remote comune in the Pacific Northwest. Naturally he goes to help her, only to find out it is a feamle dominant society bent on paganism and and human sacrifice. Bad. Real bad. Not only is the screenplay choppy but it makes no sense why he keeps dreaming about the little girl in the car who looks identical to the girl he's searching for all over the commune. If one didn't know any better, one would think it's the same girl, like I did. That notwithstanding, Ellen Burstyn gives a believable performance as the grand dame of the commune and Cage gives his usual painful, angst-ridden approach to the role. But it does nothing to save this movie. Worst of all, is the ending. Themost disturbing and unrealistic ending in modern cinema has me giving this slow moving waste of time and money ONE beer. That's right. One beer! This movie is that bad. Save your money. I'm sure it'll be on cable sometime soon. But the again....that's just my opinion.

wingnut

All Reviews by Dale Wingo
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