Customer Reviews

Blood Moon

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I rented this film solely on a chance and found myself really, really suprised at just how well done it was.

Since, as of this writing, there is no plot synopsis here, I will include a brief one. A travelling sideshow, run by Tim Curry, pulls into a small town. It's star attraction is a young girl born covered in hair and billed as The Wolfgirl. She encounters taunts and threats from a group of young townie teenagers, as well as the posibility for a cure for her malady from the local misfit. The cure seems to work, but with the side effect that the previously gentle girl begins to experience more animalistic urges even as she physically becomes more "human".

This film seems to have come out of nowhere. It actually saw life on the USA Network as "Wolfgirl". I hadn't heard of it under either title. Neither name is particularly good, but hey, it's nit picking. The film far outshines such a stuff for a number of reasons.

The cast: Tim Curry is a perfect choice for Harley. He balances a desire for the financial survival of his show with a paternal love and respect for his performers. His is a colorful, yet flawed character, one whom you can easily both like and be angry with, and he makes it very believable. Grace Jones shows far more range than usual and makes great use of her androgeny in playing a half man/half woman. Darlene Cates, the mother from "Gilbert Grape" again amazes as Athena The Fat Lady. One wishes she could grace the screen more often. And Victoria Sanchez, as Tara The Wolfgirl, manages to truly seem beautiful beneath a full hairy make-up job. She is really phenomenal in a brave role for such a lovely looking young lady.

The rest of the cast is equally talented, and I would speak more of them, but for the desire to compliment some very special members. The performers of the freak show are anything but freaks. With the exception of Sanchez and Jones, almost every other sideshow performer is the real deal, and they shine. We are given a chance to see these people in everyday mode, not just as part of the show. The family they portray is believable and breathtaking. Never are they shown in anything but the most repectful light and when they get individual chances to act within character, they are, to a one, believable. Of particular note is Jordan Prentice as Finger Finnian, Harley's right hand man. Not a single false note whenever he is on screen.

The production: What an amazing-looking film! Marvelous production design gives the sideshow scenes an almost other-worldly quality. That the film was shot in Romania only adds to this old world feel within contemporary society. And Paul Jones' JoJo the Dog-Faced Boy make up design for Sanchez as the Wolfgirl is completely convincing. Really. Thom Fitzgerald's direction is biased towards the actors, as it should be here, but he also keeps the pace going and the details clear.

The songs: The sideshow performances themselves are often in musical form with some delightfully bawdy and clever tunes by John Roby. It really gives the film a special touch. It's also great to hear Curry get to sing with the broadness that we remember from Rocky Horror. If there is a CD out there with these songs, I want it! There is also a great Ani DiFranco tune ofver the end credits.

So, why does this film only get four stars after all this laudatory talk? The screenplay, while hitting the mark on the human end of things, seems to go slightly awry when it comes to the horror end of things. When there is violence or the like, it seems somwhat out of place, as if there was a story to tell, but that it was felt that it would only be marketable as a horror flick. It's too bad, because the emotional root is so strong (with the added idea that the "freaks", who are so obviously different, are not the ones with something to be ashamed of). Also, where are the police in this town? With all the delinquint juvvie activity, fearsome wolf attacks, etc., there's nary a cop in sight! Still, I would not hesitate to recommend this film. The four stars is relative to all other films, but that lack of a fifth should not be counted against it.

One final note: This film was suprising in how little it held back in a number of areas, particularly nudity, which is sometimes used for a truly appropriate "shock". I didn't have a problem with it, but it was so unexpected (and I'm not spoiling anything here) and unique that I was a bit taken aback. It's not what we're used to seeing in any mainstream film and some more prickly folk should be made aware.

With "Ginger Snaps" a short while ago, the fem-Werewolf themed film is having a suprising little uprising of quality cinema!

I bought this movie "blind", just because it had the great Tim Curry in it. I was expecting another werewolf film in the style of American Werewolf In London/Paris, Wolfen, Howling etc., but what I got was a nice, little surprise! Tim Curry, is of course, excellent as always but there are some really nice performances by the whole cast. The freak show participants and their marvelous acts/dances/songs/tricks are mesmerizing to watch. Even Tim Curry sings a song along with the he/she character played by Grace Jones. The mother from "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" plays the "fat lady" and there is, of course, the geek, the sword-swallower, the fire eater, the impaler, midgets, contortionists and LOTS MORE!

The story, however, centers around the "wolf girl", Tara. Tara has trichno-something or other which causes hair to grow all over her body. She starts taking an experimental drug to become "normal" and that's when the bloodshed starts.

There are some really great scenes in this movie plus a couple of REALLY DOOZY SURPRISES!!!

If you liked the film, Freaks, like the TV show Ripley's Believe It Or Not, or just love and adore Tim Curry, you will enjoy this odd and strange movie! Happy Watching!

An exceedingly well-done piece, with fine performances all around. Tim Curry is allowed to play a three-dimensional character, for a change, and does sterling work. Victoria Sanchez's multi-faceted Tara emerges as the focal character from a fascinating tapestry of freak show entertainers. The most freakish characters are the so-called "normal" teenage tormentors. Though the movie's finale tends toward formula, the overall mix of genres, depth of performances (even in minor characters), and original choice of settings make it a complex and satisfying experience. WARNING: if your taste is for fast MTV-style cutting, simplistic caricatures, and/or a movie ruled by flashy special effects work, this film is not for you. All others thirsting for a plot/character-driven "horror" film (or who have ever felt themselves to be "outsiders") will find this piece to be well worth while. (As a previous review noted, it's also rare [for an American production] in its use of nudity to comment on and inform the characters and their actions.)

Don't be fooled by the silly cover art or the lame title.. this is a really good movie! After watching the movie I realized that the alternative title "Wolf Girl" which this film is (also known as) ..is a much more suitable title. The movie is more about her than any of the other side show entertainers. Everything revolves around her. There are many sights to see in the movie from Grace Jones as a half man half woman, Darlene Cates as a 600 pound + + size woman, midgets, deformed people plus, others that are harder to explain. Tim Curry plays a father figure to the young girl born wolf-like. He is sorta the same with the others in the freakshow but, more so with her. I think the movie kinda teaches a few valuable lessons that I will just let you experience for yourself. Each viewer will take away different things from the message the film holds but, I think I will stop judging people based on whats on the outside. "3 1/2 stars"

I bought this movie not expecting much. Just another addition to the collection.
But I was surprised at how well it was made.
The acting is excellent.
the characters powerfull, and well developed.
The storyline is well balansed as one sees the girl "transform."
"beauty is only skin deep", seems to be the morale. As she becomes more human looking, she becomes less so on the inside.
There is no "magic" in this film. (Except perhaps at the end).
just people. Odd, and "normal". Giving it a lot of color. And comedy between the harsh parts.
I recomend it to anyone tired of the same old done-to-death hollywood crap. Looking for something out of the ordinary, with style.

Despite its hokey title, this is a great little werewolf movie which has such a twist to it, it can hardly be called a werewolf movie at all. Tim Curry (at his droll, subtle best) plays the ringmaster of a traveling freak show. One of his star attractions, the "wolf girl" (actually just a normal girl with a rare condition called hypertrichosis which causes excessive hair growth), is harassed by a quartet of teenage meanies, but in one of the movie's surprising revelations, the two head meanies turn out to have "freak" problems of their own. The wolf girl longs to look normal and is befriended by a young teen outcast who offers to treat her disease with a drug concocted by his researcher mother (the wonderful Lesley Anne Warren, whose talents are sadly wasted in this minor, boring role); however, the more "normal" the wolf girl gets, the more wolfish her behavior becomes. Why? Well, the movie doesn't bother explaining that, but if you can ignore this little leap in logic, you will enjoy this quirky, creepy film. The acting is good, the dialogue is solid, and the plot doesn't slow down enough for you to lose interest. Perhaps the best thing about the movie is the freak show itself. Far from merely parading the "freaks" (including Darlene Cates, from "What's Eating Gilbert Grape", and Grace Jones) across the stage for people to gawk at, the characters perform a number of highly entertaining musical numbers for their audience, humanizing them rather than degrading them. Sure, the movie's message--that what makes a "freak" is all about how you see yourself instead of how others see you--is transparent and trite, but heck, what movie's isn't these days? Just sit back and enjoy this fine little gem of a movie.

Most people probably never herd of this film, I had a pretty good idea why after watching the trailer. It made it out to be a splatter type werewolf film of the supernatural variety. Those of you who have seen it know that is far from the case. Nothing kills a movie faster than misrepresenting it to the audience. I'm guessing some ignorant studio suit didn't know how to sell this as it is and made a tragic mistake; as a result. While it does have some parallels with the legend of the werewolf, it's not remotely supernatural at all. Nor does it have anything to do with the phases of the moon or lunar eclipses as the title may suggest. Someone told me that it was originally called "Wolf Girl," but I can't confirm that. It probably should have been though. With all that being said, what is this film really about? This delightfully strange film seems to be asking this question. Is inner and outer beauty mutually exclusive concepts? There's a little freak in us all, it's just more obvious in some than others. What ultimately defines us is how we treat the freak in us. Do we accept it, or do we do something truly ugly to hide it? That's what I got out of it, and I hope you do to, but if you're one who shuns the freak in us all; I doubt that you will. While watching this movie I got the impression that this may be a thickly veiled allegory of someone's actual life. I even got a hint of sour grapes in the way that the antagonists were portrayed. Who can say for sure, but I do know that this film is a hidden treasure. One of my all time favorite horror films.

User reviews led me to rent this movie thinking it would be a decent enough horror flick but that just wasn't the case. This made for Canadian TV piece has its heart in the right place but is a pretty awful mess when all is said and done.

The story revolves around a "Wolf Girl" in a traveling side show that seems to be reaching the end of her rope as far as being an oddity is concerned. She wants to be normal. It just so happens a young outsider in a town in which the show makes camp has a mom who is working on treatment for losing unwanted hair. So they do the mad scientist thing and inject her with the serum even though it is untested and could have any number of horrible side effects. Yes, the stuff works and yes she has some pretty awful side effects, the main one being that she actually may be a werewolf and the serum might be bringing that to the surface.

She exacts revenge, during a nocturnal tirade, on one of the locals who, with a few of his friends, taunted her during her performance.

This, I suppose, is basically a good idea for a script, but it meanders terribly. There is nowhere near enough horror and her evolving relationship with her savior isn't explored well enough. They also spend too much time with the local degenerates who make all the trouble in the movie and show how they too are dysfunctional and have feelings of inadequacy. These people are buttholes and I don't want to sympathize with them. And why, after disrupting Wolf Girl's show one night by throwing excrement at her, is nothing done to them and they're allowed back into the show the following night? There are quite a few puzzling things like this happening throughout the film.

Tim Curry does a decent enough job but his performance just doesn't overcome the tepid script.

There are some OK moments here and there but the movie just doesn't seem settled on what it's trying to do so I say give this one a pass. If you're looking for horror there is a lot more out there to choose from.

I bought this DVD because all these good reviews, but this movie really not in horror category at all!! Is more drama/suspense / thriller, was a good movie but not horror for sure. If u like drama kind of suspense movies..Not scary or gore type, then this movie for u. .But not to buy. Because one time seen would be enough, because after one time seen u don't want watch it again and again in long run! Not that interesting, Wish I was just renting instead waste my money on this DVD.

In all the horror movies you've watched, haven't you always wanted to see one of the studly jocks stand in front of a mirror and examine his male organ, and see just how small he really is? This scene is one marvelous and original idea that adds so much to the psyche of both the young man and the wolfgirl who witnesses his secret. Shawn Ashmore (from "X-Men" and the current miniseries EARTHSEA) plays Beau, the aforementioned jock whose secrets (he's also scared silly in an earlier scene) become his downfall.
BLOOD MOON is quite unusual in that it's not a "werewolf" movie; it's a story of those loveable "freaks" who have become sort of a dinosaur in today's more PC conscious society. However, director Thom Fitzgerald has found a talented bunch of physically challenged people and given them human characteristics and some of them are delightful in their strange musical numbers. Tim Curry does a fine job as the ringmaster Harley Dune, whose initial manipulation of these people gives way to a man who views them all his children. Victoria Sanchez (Pact with the Devil) plays Tara, the wolfgirl who just wants to be normal; Dov Tieffenback plays Ryan, the introverted nerd whose mother (Lesley Ann Warren in a tiresome role) has come up with a genetic injection which is a depilatory that removes hair. Grace Jones, that amazonian music star from the eighties, does a nice turn as Chris/Christina, a combination male female role which she is perfectly suited for.
The movie's message is clearly "Be pleased with who you really are." This is attenuated by the movie's tragic and somewhat disappointing ending. However, what you have viewed before is not your standard horror fare and for that, the producers and people involved should be congratulated.