Dorothy Mills (2008/Genius DVD)
Picture: C
Sound: B- Extras: C- Film: C
A new subcycle of supernatural films has emerged, partly
inspired by Rosemary’s Baby and partly by Asian cinema (will that long haired
Asian gal with the long dark hair, always wet and disturbed ever get help?)
where the very idea of a disturbed female poses the burning question: mental
illness or demonic possession? Agnes
Merlet’s Dorothy Mills is the latest
of these flicks, but the best of these films remains the underrated Exorcism Of Emily Rose, which you can
read more about at this link:
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/7419/The+Exorcism+Of+Emily+Rose+(2005
Like Carrie, Ruby and other bad seeds, did Dorothy
really kill a child or is something even more sinister going on at an island
isolated and with a very religious population?
Well, a lady psychologist is sent in to find out, but she is instantly
met with hostility, harassment and other manipulations in this British Isles
type location and quicker than you can say Wicker
Man, you know this will get more twisted.
Too bad it is in clichés and is lucky not to be the dud the recent Wicker remake was.
You know
you are in trouble when you keep thinking of dozens of other, better Horror
classics and duds, meaning this has nothing new to add. The acting and directing overall could have
been worse, but the screenplay is all over the place, seems desperate and never
adds up to anything we can believe is happening, including its dumb
ending. Locations and some performances,
plus the failed hope this would get better, are the only reasons I don’t
downgrade it further.
The
anamorphically enhanced 2.35 X 1 is very soft throughout, which is a shame
considering the locations, while the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is the highlight
with someone knowing how to use surrounds for a change if not spectacularly so. Extras include a trailer and making of
featurette.
- Nicholas Sheffo
