Horror Movie Reviews
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Title: Edge of Sanity (2002) |
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Review of Edge of Sanity
- Legendary actor Anthony Perkins (Psycho) "is perfect" (LA Herald-Examiner) as an outwardly rational Dr. Jekyll who rapidly descends into a world of sexual obsession and murder as Mr. Hydeand who may also be Jack the Ripper! A shocking new twist on one of the most infamous crime stories of all time, this terrifying thriller will keep you on the cutting edge of fear! Aftera lab experiment unleashes mysterious fumes, Dr. Henry Jekyll undergoes a horrifying transformationinto a savage alter ego who calls himself "Jack Hyde." Meanwhile, the depraved killer Jack the Ripper is slicing his way through the alleys of Whitechapel, leaving mutilated streetwalkers in his wake. Is there a connection between Jekyll/Hyde and Jack the Ripper? And can anyone stop his reign of terror?
Description
- Anthony Perkins gets a thorough workout in Edge of Sanity, and it looks as if the actor decided to have fun with his wild role. Good decision, because this movie crosses the edge of sanity right away and sails off the cliff. The concept has possibilities: what if Robert Louis Stevenson's fictional Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were implicated in the crimes of Jack the Ripper? Perkins, of course, plays Jekyll as well as the demented "Jack" Hyde, whose nighttime perversions are unusually lurid, even for a serial-killer picture. The movie's utter sleaziness overwhelms whatever promise the original idea had, with no help from the low budget. We're left with the class of Perkins, who incorporates welcome bits of Norman Bates into his role(s). When his eyebrow begins arching and the nervous grin goes quivering, you know Perkins is in his element. --Robert Horton
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Comments for Edge of Sanity
- Posted on 2005-09-19
A darkly artistic film of sex, drugs, murder and madness!
I came across this unusual film while walking in a video store that specializes in the kinds of movies not often found at your local Blockbuster.
This film is a rather loose and artistic take on the story of Jekyll & Hyde but also combines the story of Robert Louis Stevenson with the legend of Jack the Ripper. Its an unusal almalgamation, but a fascinating and compelling idea.
I watched this film and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a darkly artistic film which clashes the morality of the late Victorian era with the prevalent excesses of the 1980's.
In addition, the story is altered to which Jekyll doesn't overtly wish to explore the darker sided of mankind which is why he does the experiment in the first place. His initial experiments involve a new drug which can be used as an analgesic or anasthetic, the white powder which isn't even named in the film but what we all know to be cocaine. It is only through an accident in the lab that Jekyll discovers 'freebasing', and his subsequent addiction to the drug is what triggers the trasnformations and unleashes his alter ego.
Anthony Perkins is without a doubt in his element in this film, able to play a mild-mannered physician with a slight limp, and act with utter relish as his dark side is unleashed as Hyde.
what is interesting and what may put off some people is that the prostitutes in the film look as though they are dressed up like Madonna. I'll admit the film isn't perfect but those things don't take away from the film, they add to it. It's why the film is so unique, because obviously not everyone is going to like it, its the sort of film that only appeals to those individuals that like a little something different with their horror films.
Score: 4
- Posted on 2005-09-17
This film is NOT good!
This is far from "good" or "great", as some say it is. It's nothing more than an excuse for the people who made it to see their sickest fantasies acted out. And contrary to what two idiot "viewer"s wrote, not all of us are "prudes" or "suburbanites" who can't acknowledge the dark side of the human soul. We see plenty of it everyday in our world, mostly via the news or the internet. But the movie could've gotten the message across perfectly well without all the graphic sex and violence scenes. I've seen many movies that were categorized as "gross", and this film is one of the worst! Eurotrash indeed!
Score: 1
- Posted on 2004-10-20
LURID GOTHIC HORROR
Forget what the critics say - the only horror movies they ever like are the old black & whites anyway - this is a heck of an entertaining movie that isn't your typical Hollywood dreck. I only wish the ending were better... nonetheless, it still gets the big thumbs up in my book!
Score: 4 - Posted on 2004-08-03
Hopkins at his best...
This 'R-Rated' 2002 DVD re-release is actually six minutes longer than the previous 'Unrated'/'International' edition. The extra running time is almost all accounted for by this version being transferred to video at the correct 24fps theatrical rate whereas the earlier incarnation was artificially speeded up to around 25fps even for NTSC users. This made watching the old and new versions side-by-side difficult as I kept on having to pause the earlier recording in order for this one to catch up. They are virtually identical except for a couple of scenes. At the end of the pigeon-man/voyeur sequence there is now a close up of the victim's throat being slashed before splattering the pigeon with blood. Much later on when Jack is confronted by the old tart outside his front door we now get to see the horror he inflicted on her in gory close-up whereas before we had only the vaguest of clues as to what he was doing to her.
The DVD contains both a widescreen and 4x3 transfer of the main feature on opposite sides of the disc. The differences in picture composition are negligible so it is down to what kind of TV you own as to which you will prefer. Each side also contains its own version of the theatrical trailer and scene selections.
For what it's worth this is one of my favourite movies and I'm not even a horror fan. This is easily one of Anthony Hopkins' best three performances, the others being Psycho and Crimes of Passion made around the same time as this and in which he played virtually the same part. I first read about it when it became a late night cult hit on cable TV which I don't have so I rented the video then bought the laserdisc version and now the DVD. Some people seem to have missed the point that this is a modern gothic horror and not meant to be read as a historical document. Hence the blend of new wave punk fashions and victorian morality. It may be a triumph of style over content but it is a magnificent triumph.
Score: 5
- Posted on 2002-12-09
Anthony Perkins is awesome!
Of course, any role played by the late, great Anthony Perkins is going to be done to the utmost perfection. There is also an absolutely superb supporting cast in this film as well. Unfortunately, the screenplay itself is not worthy of such talent. The only thing good about this film is the actors themselves. Too bad they couldn't have been casted for a better film. Watch this movie only for its artistic value and for the superb performances. Don't, however, expect a great film....you'll be disappointed.
Score: 4