Feature Films
Review from ClassicHorror.com (one of our sponsors)
H.G.Lewis' signature style (excessive gore, bad special effects, and acting
abilities that would horrify most Bond Girls), is at peak form in *Wizard of
Gore*. The movie follows a haphazard storyline where an evil magician
hypnotizes women, and then sticks them with drills, hatchets, and everything
but the kitchen sink. Of course, they awaken without a scratch on them.
However, these women end up dead days later, killed by the same mechanisms
that were used on them when they were hypnotized. Part of the reason *Wizard
of Gore* is my favorite Lewis film, is due to the fact that the plot is
actually somewhat creative (unlike *Blood
Feast* which is
basically just a crazy guy hacking up people and pulling out their
tongues). The man who played the Wizard (Ray Sager) should probably be
banned by the film industry so celluloid does not have to be corrupted with
more of his robotic performances. However, in this film, I couldn't have
pictured a better actor for the role. H.G. Lewis has a tendency to bring out
the best in the most "talent challenged" people.
This plot is absolutely ridiculous. Throughout the movie's course, the whole
town knows this happens and people STILL go to his show and women STILL
volunteer to get hypnotized. Are these people from Dan Quayle-Ville or
something? Still, this lapse of realism adds to the campy quality of the
film. However, the camp could not even begin to reach the levels the film
achieves without the special effects. Or, should I say, un-special effects?
All I can say is that the Heinz company must have been ecstatic with the
cases of ketchup Lewis had to order to make this movie. The deaths were
actually pretty creative (proof of a very sick and twisted mind at work. As
much as I love this movie, I would pay a lot of money NOT to have to meet
the writer in a dark alley EVER). However, the special effects behind the
deaths were very bad. But, this makes the movie so frickin' entertaining.
H.G. Lewis is one director that can carry a movie on bad special effects.
His movies are basically gore for gore's sake, and that's what makes them so
fun to watch.
If quality horror is what you're looking for, then either pass over this
film, or get legally drunk before viewing it (it helps if you watch it with
a bunch of your friends who would also flunk a breathalizer test). However,
if you are in the Campy Camp, this is required viewing for you. People often
criticize this film for being too disgusting and calling it the "Lose Your
Lunch" film. That is incredibly inaccurate. I'm banking that you'll lose
dinner, breakfast, and your midnight snack, as well.
