Customer Reviews

Edgar Allan Poe's The Pit And The Pendulum

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

A dominatrix hypnotist, lesbians making out, a mad scientist who is an abusive father, classical music (Chopin I think), buff boys wrestling in their underwear, hundreds of ticking clocks and cactuses (excuse me JB - CACTI) lots and lots of cacti. These are the main ingredients in David Decoteau's THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, one of the most fascinating, beautiful and peculiar films it has ever been my pleasure to see. This one is really Decoteau at his absolute best, certainly one of the finest films of his career, ranking right up there with the original BROTHERHOOD and LEATHER JACKET LOVE STORY. This one wont be to everyones taste but if you are adventurous and love truly original film making this one is a genuine must see. The film has a great script and some really fine performances. How great to see Michael King back in a Decoteau film. He made quite an impression in WITCHES OF THE CARRIBEAN and he truly outdoes himself in this film (particularly in the aforementioned wrestling sequence). The music score is very good with selections from many different genres. Howard Wexler is once again the director of photography and the results he gets are astounding. This is a beautiful looking film, in fact I would dare say it is the most beautiful film Dave has made to this point (although BLONDE HEAVEN aka MORGANA is a close second). The shots of the lethal pendulum in action are breathtaking. / The mood of the film ranges from incredibly (almost hilariously) erotic to genuine suspense to high camp and under the skilled direction of Decoteau it all comes together quite nicely. I suppose viewers should be advised that this bares no genuine resemblance to the Poe story (although there is a pit of sorts and most definitely some impressive pendulums) It's obvious I'm a real fanboy of Decoteau but anyone who appreciates well made independent erotic horror films should love this one. The DVD provides a flawless anamorphic transfer and 5.1 Dolby soundtrack. Also included is a trailer for BROTHERHOOD 5 and the trailer for PIT. An hour of behind the scenes footage is included and it is the real stuff, not some cleaned up series of self-congratulatory interviews but a genuine look at Decoteau and his crew and cast at work. You will get a true feeling for how his films are made from watching it. Only minor complaint is that Dave's name is spelled incorrectly on the back of the box. This is an outstanding DVD release of an outstanding film. Don't miss it, don't miss it, don't miss it. It's amazing.

First off, aside from a pendulum that's got a blade on it, this has nothing to do with Edgar Allen Poe's work. It's bordering on false advertising to say it is. It might be better to call it the "Dominatrix and Her Pendulum", but you really don't see much of the pendulum. That being said it's a moderately entertaining movie. The acting is so-so, but I think we're mostly supposed to look at the guys doing stuff with their shirts off. Having seen another film by the same director where the shirts off scenes went on too long with guys doing the same thing for the story to have much momentum, this is better. It moves OK. No nudity except for the dominatrix. That made me a little uncomfortable. The "surprise" ending was a hard sell for me, but most of the film requires some pretty intense suspension of disbelief anyway so by the end I was in "whatever" mode. Would love to see a MST3000 take on it, but with a clever friend you could easily add the commentary yourself.

I can't believe what I'm reading from the other reviewers. I respect all kind of opinions, but I must completely disagree
Decoteau seems to have loose completely the knack of how to do homoerotic films. The man actually thinks that he is doing something like real cinema! This film (?) hasn't even a decent makeout sequence. The only two very short ones are intermixed between two same sex couples. Even the wrestling scene (the only worth watching thorought the whole film) it's ruined being continuously interrupted by the awful sight of that amount of cheek botox woman who plays the lead role showing her boobs. Well, "played" maybe was a major word for what she does. Who were you thinking that will feel arouse with that, gay men.. lesbians... misguided heteros or maybe bisexuals? In my opinion, it's awful for everyone. So bad as the completely and utterly preposterous script (if can be called that way)
I use to enjoy the David Decoteau's films back then when he was working for heterosexual studios like Full Moon, etc. His films were a LOT more homoerotic then, some were equally boring but others were a total guilty pleasure and really fun to watch. Now that he can finally work with a LGBT channel his cinema has become more and more prude and auto-restrained than before.
If poor Edgar Allan Poe's could see his name associated with so many bad adaptations! Or the wonderful Vincent Price! In the old times, Roger Corman and American International were working with almost the same low budget as Rapid Heart does but nonetheless they were producing ART. This is not even fun or erotic.
Anyway... I must say something positive about this new "Pit and the Pendulum" Meanwhile "The Brotherhood V Alumni" feels like a 4 hours film, this has improved and feels like 3 and a half more or less. The thing is that both of them run 85' more or less!
Go more to cinema, watch cable television and evolve a little, Mr. Decoteau. Nowadays, homoeriticsm in the media goes further than showing cute guys in underwear walking like zombies. As you can check on shows like "Spartacus, Blood and sand" Or at least revisit your own videography, you'll be surprised by your own old material!
Even from a film like "The Covenant" totally inspired by your erotic style, you would learn a thing or two.

I am looking forward (or better said trembling) for watching "The Brotherhood VI Initiation" and "The Invisible Chronicles" By the way... the two would use the same house again...? LOL!

Edgar Allan Poe's story depicts at least two of the punishments inflicted on a prisoner during the Spanish Inquisition. Despite the title, the only connection this film has with Poe's short story is the presence of a dangerous pendulum.

The film begins with a flashback to a hypnotist, Professor Dimitri Divay (Jason Stuart), experimenting on two children to find a way to remove sensations, like pain and fatigue, in order to achieve life goals.

Thirty years later, an SUV filled with young adults drives up to Highgate Mansion in response to an ad placed by J.B. Divay (Lorielle New), the professor's daughter. The five young men and two young women want help in pursuing various athletic pursuits; J.B. says she can use hypnosis to remove the barriers safely. The young adults unpack and settle in.

There are scenes of (un)dressing, exercising, and sunning by J.B.'s new clients, interspersed with lectures and sales pitches from J.B. Two of the men and the two women develop relationships.

Still, rather rapidly, as individuals disappear, J.B. says they must not have been suited for the program. Groans are heard from afar. Since the SUV won't start, no one can leave the remote mansion. Cell phones are out. The client group gets more alarmed as it shrinks. Who will make it to the end?

There is nothing remarkable about the film, although the photography is good and the story is good enough. The most memorable actor is Lorielle New (J.B.), who projects a smarmy eroticism, although it goes over the top in a shirtless wrestling-match-to-the-death scene. All of the five male clients show skin. The only female who does so is J.B..

Actually, for those interested in working in a film like this, the most interesting item will be the 58 minute behind-the-scenes showing the cast and crew at work. Producer/director David Decoteau often does a fine job at commentaries and at behind-the-scenes extras. The other extras are the film's trailer and previews to three other films.

Like most ripoffs of Poe's works, the title has little to do with the story. And if you've seen this director's other movies, you already know the plot:

The following morning, "Hey where's good looing buff guy? We were all looking forward to him taking off his shirt or more again!"

"He left last night, without his clothes or car."

"What? He wouldn't leave without us!".

"He couldn't cut it so he left. (Don't even suspect he's been hacked to pieces, or sacrificed to my demon barbie doll, or...). Now forget him and concentrate on what YOU'RE here for."

"Ok, but is it time for me to take my shirt off and flex?"

This is a film that you have to watch twice. I would highly suggest that you rent this film first to see if you want to spend your money unless you are a fan of Lorielle New. The first time that I watched it, I really couldn't believe that I was really watching what I saw, as some of the things in it didn't make sense, but when I watched it the second time it actually was better. One place that you should not waste you time watching are the extras, as it was nothing but someone shooting scenes being shot and some other stuff. If you want to see a very campy "B" movie, you might enjoy this film, but if you are looking for something that is very deep, spend your money elsewhere.

"The Pit and the Pendulum" directed by David Decoteau in a very fun movie. It's a thriller based on the Edger Allen Poe short story.
Although the movie has gay and lesbian condensations It is also geared for the heterosexuals thanks in part to the star of the movie, Lorielle New.
Lorielle New plays the very, very sexy JB Divay, who is a psychotic hypnotherapist.
The development of how the JB Divay character becomes the psychotic killer is a little Hitchcockian.
This is a very fun movie for everyone who likes a little mystery, a little sex, and a little campy.
Check it out I'm sure you'll enjoy it.