Written by: Michael Den Boer on March 15th, 2008
Theatrical Release Date: Various
Directors: Eric Morgret (Strange Aeons), Patrick Weber (Maria’s Hubris), Michael Granberry (From Beyond)
Cast: Melanie Calderwood, Doug Cartwright, Angelica DiMico, Angela M. Grillo, Nolan Harvey, Peter Anthony Holden, Peter Holden, Grayson F. Kellmer, J.D. Lloyd, Jerry Lloyd, Samuel Read, Erick Robertson, Rey-Phillip Santos, Kathleen Schroeder,Pamela Taylor, Jim Tobin, Michael Granberry
DVD released: February, 2008
Approximate running time: Strange Aeons – 77 minutes / Maria’s Hubris – 14 Minutes / From Beyond – 10 Minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen (All Films)
Rating: NR
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English with English Subtitles, Dolby Digital Stereo German with English Subtitles (Maria’s Hubris)
Subtitles: English
DVD Release: Lurker Films
Region Coding: Region 0 NTSC
Retail Price: $19.95
Strange Aeons: Edward Derby falls in love with a mysterious woman named Asenath Waite whose father Ephraim Waite was a sorcerer. Asenath like her father exhibits strange powers like the ability to switch bodies through hypnotism. Edward’s family and friends start to worry as he becomes more isolated and shows signs of drastic personality change.
One thing that plagues so many H.P. Lovecraft adaptations is the added of content to them to make longer or feature length. Strange Aeons is a feature length adaption of “The Thing on the Doorstep” which remains ever so faithfully to the source material. Despite this the story does feels padded and at times really drags. The direction is visually pleasing while most of the performers while adequate lack substance overall. Ultimately Strange Aeons feels more like an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” then a H.P. Lovecraft story.
Maria’s Hubris like Strange Aeons is just another take on the same story “The Thing on the Doorstep”. The main differences between the two is that Maria’s Hubris tells the same story in a much shorter time period then Strange Aeons which is nearly one hour longer. Tell this story in short form works so much better as the story is very simple and any added filler would only slow things down. The directing is very good and the acting is convincing all around. Ultimately Maria’s Hubris is a classic example of how to adapt a H.P. Lovecraft Story.
From Beyond: An unnamed narrator is summoned to the home of a scientist named Crawford Tillinghast who has created an electronic device that sends waves which stimulate the pineal gland thus allowing a person to things not normally visible.
Here is another adaption of H.P. Lovecrafts From Beyond. Even though this story has been adapted many times this version is one of more unique take because its use of stop motion. This short was created by Michael Granberry who also worked on the “Robot Chicken: series. The story works extremely well in stop motion and the beings that appear are some of the most realistic looking H.P. Lovecraft like creatures. Ultimately this short succeeds more than most H.P. Lovecraft adaption’s because of its fresh take on a familiar story.
The DVD:
Lurker Films presents all the films in an anamorphic widescreen that preserves the film’s original aspect ratio. Each films transfer looks colorful, sharp and free of any artifacts or compression issues.
All the content on this release is in English except Maria’s Hubris which is in its native language of German. The audio sound full and it is free of any distortion or defects. Removable subtitles have been included.
Once again Lurker Films loads up their latest Lovecraft release with several goodies including a Audio commentary with Eric Morgret & K.L. Young (Strange Aeons), the making of “Strange Aeons” (8 minutes), Trailers, Festival Spots & promos from the Lovecraft Film Festival, a Interview with JOhn Carpenter about H.P. Lovecraft (6 minutes) and a Four page booklet.
Lurker films with each new volume of their Lovecraft collection continue to impress with the quality of content included with each release, recommend.