(2004)

REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER
DIRECTED BY-ROBERT PRATTEN
CAST-DOUG COCKIE, SARA STEWART, GRACE SPROTT, VONDA BARNES, TRISHA MORTIMER, SVEN-BERTI TAUBE and MICHAEL NYQUIST.
SOURCE- NTSC VHS SCREENER

The word voodoo is synonymous with evil practices of a dark and evil religion. So thought to the Catholic church and to it’s followers. Shunned into darkness and forced to mimic it’s overseer, voodoo is to this day still pretty much taboo in many places. Personally the word alone has always tweaked my interest, of course from a far and safe distance. There’s the thought of it causing danger, but does it really? One can only experience this first hand, and my choice or should I say chance too, was through Robert Pratten’s vision LONDON VOODOO. Virtually stumbling onto this new film, immediately I decided to investigate the finding. Upon contact with a seemingly very delightful Robert Pratten, he took the trouble to send Cinema Nocturna the full press-kit package for our feasting. Upon it’s arrival, I almost immediately dove into this much antsipated film.

 

Lincoln and his wife Sara although with their very young daughter Beth relocate to Greenwich, London. Along with the move, Lincoln also promises to spend more time with Sara and Beth. First step to hire a nanny to help Sara around the house and with Beth. Contractors come out to fix the basement and in the process uncover a strange object imbedded underneath the floor. Though opened by Sara after one the contractors hurt themselves and leave. Busting the cover open, a entity is let out and enters Sara’s body, possessing her. At the same time Lincoln is giving a most important task at work to impress a major Swedish client. The pressures begin to mount from all sides as Sara’s possession begins to progress into something very evil.

Despite ignoring several signs and warnings, Lincoln marches on with his very important task at work. As all this is going on the newly hired nanny, Kelly has a plan of her own. Seeing that Sara is in a state of vulnerability, Kelly takes advantage of the situation. Aiding to Sara’s seemingly mental breakdown, Kelly also sees that Lincoln is also vulnerable. As Sara becomes almost unbearable, Lincoln seeks the help of Fiona who in turns lead him to Ruth a local voodoo followers and historian. She explains to Lincoln that his wife, Sara has been possessed by the spirit of an African warrior princess. He is in danger and there are steps to be taken. As all major story elements collide, the intensity thickens and the pending doom over looks. Will an exorcism be the answer to all that has become, or will it be the end of a young dream of a new happiness.

LONDON VOODOO is director Robert Pratten’s first feature length film and he has certainly set a high stake to follow. Production values of this film are very professional, something that is reflected in pretty much every aspect of LONDON VOODOO. Everything down from story to characters and the actors that portrayed them. He manages the rather tough task of conveying a story to an audience and in this case sitting with my eyes glued to it. Robert’s style is almost Hammer like in feel with a modern ejection of Amicus. LONDON VOODOO brings back the glory of that classic horror film feel. Story driven, LONDON VOODOO doesn’t need to rely on gore or any corny special effects. Aided by a strong outing by an overall cast and an equally as diverse score provided by Siouxsie and The Banshees bass player and songwriter, Steven Severin.

My hat is off to both Robert Pratten’s ability to direct the actors and the actor’s ability to accommodate that vision. Especially the two leads involved, Doug Cockie (Lincoln) and Sara Stewart (Sara). Both bring top notch performances and play off each other to the point of boiling reality. You are every convinced that these two are not acting but are in actual married with a major problem. Doug with his business savvy and lack of true family values only hinders and opposites Sara’s stronger family values being knocked down brick by brick. The true test of love and time is displayed best when these two actors are in their desperate hours, searching for the answers to rectify their situations. Only in this case Doug (Lincoln) must aid Sara’s (Sara) state of emergency. Stewart also displays true ability in time of possession. Her quick transition to that African warrior within her is absolutely incredible. Her acting range is very diverse and should not go unnoticed. The supporting cast also spring a strong support and all are very convincing in their respective roles! This is truly one film that has a very bright future.

 

For those who are interested in further details about Robert Pratten’s LONDON VOODOO, please visit the official website at www.londonvoodoo.com .Or if for those who are interested in catch his film during this years film festival circuit, it will be playing at FEARLESS TALES HORROR/FANTASY FILM FESTIVAL March 11th-14th 2004. Also stay tuned to Cinema Nocturna for further time listings for THE WORLD HORROR CON April 4th-11th in Phoenix.

4 BITCH SLAPS

 

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