This is a visually stunning movie. The look of 1940s Los Angeles is beautifully captured. Also stunning is a very young Julianne Moore in an early role.The writing is a notch or two better than is common in this genre. The superb supporting cast has some wonderful Noir-ish "Snappy retorts".The only flaw in this movie are the incredibly BAD BAD BAD not so special effect. They detract from any otherwise enjoyable movie. Yes, there are viable wires the hellish critters dangle off of. Yes, the "gremlins" are stolen directly from the movie of the same name. (And add absolutely NOTHING to the overall movie). The quality and complexity of the special effects were cutting edge in 1955. Unfortunately this movie was filmed in 1991.The last ten minutes of the movie are very disappointing. The film speeds along for what you assume is a magnificent resolution. When the end finally comes, it is more with an anticlimactic whimper before it fizzles out.Over all movie rates an 8. Special Effects rate a TWO.

Here's a delightfully imaginative blend of traditional film noir and magical fantasy come alive from HBO Original Pictures. The year is 1948, and the setting is full of night clubs, dark, shiny streets, dames, gangsters, and all sorts of colorful characters. Now this is where the originality comes in. Its some sort of alternate reality where everyone uses magic on a practical everyday basis, and naughty gremlins, ghouls and a multitude of other creatures inhabit the corrupt streets of the city in a perfect homage to H.P. Lovecraft. Fred Ward (who has a serious case of Clint Eastwood-itis) is a stubborn private-eye detective named Lovecraft who thinks all this sorcery is just another means to corruption and greed, and he's hot on the trail of the Necronomicon (Book of the Dead). Along the way he meets all sorts of resistance from the more unsavory types who also want the book to unleash more demons into the world. Add talented and beautiful Julianne Moore as the night club singer/love interest, David Warner as the villain, Clancy Brown, and Lee Tergeson into the mix, and the fun never lets up. Good action scenes, good creature effects, and loads of subtle but noticeable homages including Charles Hallahan as a cop named Bradbury and a night club called Dunwitch. This is like 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' on a bad trip, but in a good old-fashioned charming way.The cast has plenty of fun with it, and so does director Martin Campbell (Mask of Zorro). This has never been officially released on DVD, so if you find a copy somehow, you're in for a rare treat. Look for a great scene in the beginning: Death by paper-cuts!!!

I wonder why this isn't a movie that people know? After all, it is definitely unique and fun to watch, and how many films do you know that are a combination 1940s film noir and horror? Man, this is a real "curiosity piece."It's Los Angeles and 1948 and everyone, except the hero (Fred Ward) is using magic, occult witchcraft-type stuff (which this reviewer hardly endorses). Ludicrous, yes, but fascinating and funny in parts.Too bad this isn't out on DVD because the colors and atmosphere just ooze 1940s. It's also simply great entertainment. Juliane Moore looks gorgeous and Ward is likable in the lead role. He has the authentic look of a private eye, and I like the idea that he has more morals than all the other characters in the movie combined.If any story can be called truly "unique," this is one of them.

This is a FABULOUS movie! It is done in the film-noir style or the 40's and stars Fred Ward, David Warner, and Julianna Moore!Fred Ward plays Det. Harry Philip Lovecraft (the names of the characters in this film are homages to writers of the fantasy/horror genre), who is an honest cop who has quit to become a private detective. In world where magic is both common and easy, Lovecraft refuses to use magic. ANY magic.David Warner is Amos Hackshaw, and Amos hires Lovecraft to find a book that was stolen from him; a little tome on esoteric magic called The Necronomicon.It's fun, funny, impressive, well acted and a blast to watch! Two thumbs way, waaaay up; 5 stars! What else can I say?