Is This Michele Soavi's Worst Film? [The Sect - Shameless Blu Ray]

Summary

In this review of Michele Soavi's 1991 horror film 'The Sect,' the reviewer critiques the slow pacing, incoherent plot, and mediocre acting, particularly highlighting Kelly Curtis's unintentional humor in her performance. While the film features intriguing visuals and surreal art direction, it suffers from significant sound issues that disrupt the viewing experience. The 2K restoration improves the film's appearance, but the overall impression is one of disappointment, making it a challenging watch for all but the most dedicated Soavi fans. The reviewer expresses hope for a more engaging experience with the upcoming film, 'Almost Human.'

Takeaways

• 🎬 The film 'The Sect' (1991) is directed by Michele Soavi and stars Kelly Curtis.
• 📅 The story begins in the 1970s with a biker cult killing a hippie commune, then transitions to the 1990s where strange events occur around a school teacher.
• 🌀 The plot is described as incoherent and slow-paced, leading to a disappointing viewing experience.
• 👩‍🎤 Kelly Curtis's performance is criticized as awkward, drawing comparisons to her sister Jamie Lee Curtis.
• 🩸 The film has limited gore, which is noted to be well-executed but not central to the narrative.
• 🏡 The set design and surreal visuals receive praise, particularly the dream sequences.
• 🖼️ The reviewer points out unusual background artwork, including bootleg Disney images and peculiar kangaroo art.
• 🎶 The musical score by Pino Donaggio is recognized as a strong point of the film.
• 🔊 Technical issues are highlighted, especially the poor sound mixing that requires frequent volume adjustments.
• 📀 The reviewer notes that this release contains minor presentation flaws, such as a typo and layout issues on the disc cover.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the film 'The Sect'?

'The Sect' revolves around a biker cult that terrorizes a hippie commune in the 1970s, leading to supernatural events in the 1990s affecting a school teacher.

Who directed 'The Sect' and who stars in it?

'The Sect' is directed by Michele Soavi and stars Kelly Curtis, who is the sister of actress Jamie Lee Curtis.

How is the pacing of 'The Sect' described in the review?

The pacing of 'The Sect' is described as overly slow, crawling towards the two-hour mark without much action or excitement.

What specific visual aspects of the film were praised?

The film's set design and visual aesthetics received praise, particularly for their surreal elements and the quality of the 2K restoration, which makes the colors pop.

What issues were noted regarding the sound quality of the film?

The sound quality was criticized for being inconsistent, with action scenes being too loud while dialogue scenes were too quiet, causing frustration during viewing.

What unique art pieces are mentioned in the review, and why are they significant?

The review mentions odd art pieces like bootleg versions of Ariel from Disney's 'Little Mermaid' and a picture of a 'sexy kangaroo,' highlighting the film's quirky and surreal artistic choices.

How does the reviewer feel about the performances of the actors?

The reviewer finds the performances mediocre overall, but Kelly Curtis's acting is noted for being particularly off, adding an element of unintentional humor.

What is the overall recommendation for 'The Sect' based on the review?

The reviewer does not recommend 'The Sect' unless someone is a Soavi completionist, stating that it lacks the engagement and excitement of previous films reviewed.

What elements of the film does the reviewer feel are lacking?

The reviewer feels that 'The Sect' is lacking in compelling storytelling, engaging characters, and sufficient gore, which diminishes the overall experience.

What additional features were included in the Blu-ray release of 'The Sect'?

The Blu-ray includes an interview with Michele Soavi, a Shameless trailer reel, and the Italian version of the film with English subtitles.