I put off seeing this movie for the longest time because I've seen far too many mixed reviews. It sat at the bottom of my queue forever until I finally gave it a chance. Naturally, what drew me in was a cast full of some of my favorite horror heroines of yesteryear, figuring if nothing else it would be a fun jaunt down memory lane. Ultimately, while there were things to enjoy in this movie, I should have listened to the reviews.The movie is an odd mix of influences, drawing heavily from the Italian horror masters for its' visual aesthetic and combining that with a plot and style that reminded me greatly of the "hag horror" films of the 60s (suck as WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE). While, at times, the movie feels too derivative to have a big impact on the viewer what ultimately kills it is the acting, which is just horrible all around. It almost pains me to say that due to the love that I have for a lot of these actresses, but to call the acting wooden would be an insult to wood.The plot revolves around a mysterious young girl that the viewer never truly gets to know enough about to give the plot the emphasis that it needed. She is, essentially, an attention whore. The daughter of an actual prostitute, the movie definitely plays with the idea that she is selling herself to a stream of women, as well, though she is being paid for time and attention more than sex. She is preying on the lonely to get the money she needs to live life. This brings her to Barbara Steele, one of the icons of 60s horror. Steele's character is drawn to this girl and develops a strong obsession with her, trying to use her to replace the real daughter that we come to know more about as the movie unfolds. The story does do a good job of developing a duality where we wonder who is the predator and which is the prey. The movie bounces erratically, from present day to flashback, revealing the story of this mysterious girl, her ultimate fate and what that has to do with a new young girl that has come into Steele's life.The most positive thing going for this is the look of the movie. It's obviously highly influenced by the work of Bava and Argento. What the blue tones in the movie. The only thing that could draw me back into this would be to dive into an exploration of the saturation of blues in everything from the backgrounds to costumes as the director is definitely using them to say something or create a feel (sort of like the red in THE SIXTH SENSE, I think). Too much else in this movie fails to work effectively, though. As mentioned, the plot just bounces everywhere. We have a present day story, we bounce continually to the story of Steele and her relationship with the mysterious little Anne and we, also, flash back even further to scenes that we think have to do with Anne, but ultimately end up being even further in the past, giving some explanation to how Steele ended up as she did.It's the acting that just slaughters this movie, though. Steele is steely (sorry, couldn't resist). There is no inflection in her tones and she is far too old to carry off the more physical aspects demanded of this role with any plausibility. Heather Langenkamp is one of the sweetest people I've ever met at a convention and a childhood crush, but she's almost as bad here. Let's face it, folks, she wasn't that great as Nancy in NOES and she lacks nuance here, also. The worst actor in the bunch, though, is Erika Leerhsen, who I remember from BLAIR WITCH 2. I've honestly seen better acting in high school plays. The rest of the actresses, like Adrienne King, PJ Soles, and Camille Keaton are really nothing more than cameos.It's a shame to gather all of these names and waste them, but that's really what this is. Maybe the film makers knew they needed more than what they had and figured some stunt casting couldn't hurt. In any case, there are hundreds of better indie horror films that you could be watching right now.

I guess this movie is pretty unknown with only 14 people reviewing it before me and less than 1000 rating it. Yet with such a cast you would think it would appeal to a large audience. Maybe there wasn't done much promotion. The positive reviews outweigh the negative ones but still only a 5,6 average as I'm writing this. I guess a matter of taste because I wouldn't think this movie is bad in any way. Yes you could make a case for some aspects on the story not being worked out that well. Why was Ann (brilliantly played by Barbara Steele with those deadly staring eyes) so obsessed with little girls? She obviously couldn't handle it when her own daughter Dorothy was becoming a woman. Maybe she wanted them to stay young and beautiful forever just like the butterflies she preserved and pinned to the walls. I'm sure if you pay well attention enough most of the questions do get answered yet that is probably what makes the movie and story so strong, some of the mystery remains. Not only Ann is an interesting character study but little Alice as well. She did remind me a bit of Rhoda from the Bad Seed in being manipulative but she obviously didn't have the psychopathic treats of Rhoda. Kudos to Julia Putnam pulling this role of well and also Ellery Sprayberry as little Julie who was obviously going to be Ann's next victim. The story alternates between present and flash-back storytelling which demands a little focus and in the beginning a little confusing about why Ann reacts to some people in a certain way but in the end the pieces of the puzzle come together. Very tense last scenes with the characters of Julie, Ann, workman Nick (Ray Wise) and Dorothy (Heather Langenkamp) all coming together. Also very strong last scene from Dorothy first taking some kind of revenge on her mother and than later at Julie's birthday party now being adopted by Dorothy and seeing her wish granted by having a brother. That reaction of hers and than the expression on her face when a family picture is taken, wow she even shrieks from herself and for the viewer yeah, is the terror really over?

Butterflies are so delicate, yet so strong to endure their long migrations around the world. In the Butterfly Room, the story hinges on Ann (Barbara Steele) who is a strong, elegant, reclusive and centers her life around her butterfly collection. She captures and mounts them in her "butterfly room". During her days, she has flashbacks to her daughter and all the while she befriends a little girl to fill her empty nest syndrome. The Butterfly Room is a spooky tale where all is not what it seems. This psychological thriller keeps you glued to a shifting dynamics of this gentile collector. It is sure to make you think twice the next time you see a flawless butterfly.

Italian Writer/Director Jonathan Zarantonello, in his first English language film, has brought together a rather intriguing cast and delivered an original horror piece that should entertain fans of both vintage & recent horror films. A substantial part of it's success is owed to the film's tight, well written script, but make no mistake, long standing horror icon Barbara Steele absolutely owned the role of Ann. While it may help some folks by reading further into the film's actual full synopsis, I found that even though going in blind was a tad confusing at first, especially if you aren't glued to the screen for every moment, it pays off later when everything clicks and falls so neatly into place. So I will do my usual, less is more outline.Ann is an older, private, but elegant woman with a passion for butterfly collecting, who longs for the companionship like that of which she had so many years past with of her seemingly long lost daughter Dorothy. One day while out shopping, Ann is drawn into the company of a young, seductive and extremely manipulative young girl Alice(Julia Putnam). As Alice's motives become more clear, Ann realizes that their meeting was by far no accident and that Alice's deceptive tactics are not only being used on her, but a string of women. All of whom are also childless and for one reason or another, are all willing to participate in this warped type of pseudo parenting. The shock of this finding sends Ann into a spiral of madness resulting in some very lethal & callous acts to those unfortunate enough to cross her path. Despite this being an American production, Zarantonello manages to effectively put that familiar Italian Giallo feel into the film. The atmosphere was very creepy and the film possessed that 60's kind of look & feel to it, with cinematography that was reminiscent of the horror films of old. As a bonus for horror buff's, there was no shortage of cameo's from the likes of Erica Leerhsen(The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), Heather Langenkamp(Nightmare on Elm Street), Adrienne King(Friday the 13th), Camille Keaton (I Spit on your Grave), PJ Soles(Halloween). You won't find a better psychotic & violent portrayal by a women that, can you believe, is seventy-five years old. I recommend taking this old Buick for a ride if you happen to have an urge for something creepy or looking for a good late night horror flick(which in my case is every night).