Lost Souls (2000)

To wrap up my themed week dedicated to big Hollywood names that appeared in a horror film, I've chosen "Lost Souls" because it stars Winona Ryder and was produced by Meg Ryan. MEG RYAN of all people?!?!?! These are two names that you would not think would be associated with a demonic/satanic movie. Including John Hurt and Elias Koteas to the cast helps to give it some genre credibility. The overall story of "Lost Souls" is pretty simple and feels like a watered down, realistic version of "End of Days". The lighting is inconsistent and at times annoying and film quality made it feel like the movie was produced years before it's time. The good thing about the film is that the clues to the mystery of the film are revealed in a moderate pace and nicely build upon each other.


Peter Kelson has been raised and tailored to become the human host of Satan himself. Peter is unaware of this and only finds out when Maya, a member of a small Roman Catholic group that knows about this secret, tries to warn him of his fate. She begs him to find the clues for himself, and when he begins to find such clues, he realizes that everyone around him and his entire life has been a lie....

Apt Pupil (1998)

"Apt Pupil" is in the similar vein as "Misery", a horror movie that explores the horrors that can be found in human nature. There is a violent murder that occurs at the end of the second act but the film foes not revolve around this event; the horrors found within this film includes an unhealthy obsession with those who committed atrocities during World War 2.It also deals with multiple cases of blackmail and the very serious allegations that are held over the characters' heads. This was the third major film directed Bryan Singer and had an impressive cast lead by Ian McKellen who appeared with horror actors such as James Karen ("Poltergeist" and "Return of the Living Dead"), Elias Koteas ("The Prophecy"), Bruce Davidson ("Lords of Salem" and "Dahmer"), and Joshua Jackson ("Cursed" and "Urban Legends"). Bryan Singer would work with both Ian McKellan and Bruce Davidson in the "X-Men" films.

Todd Bowen is a disturbed young man who has an unhealthy obsession with the Holocaust and the atrocities that the Nazi regime committed. Todd discovers that an elderly neighbor is a former member of the SS and is a wanted war criminal. Todd complies enough evidence to prove to the police that this old man, Arthur Denker, is actually Kurt Dussander. Todd then blackmails Arthur into telling him stories in full detail about his time at the extermination camps and everything that happened there. Todd even buys an old SS uniform and makes Arthur model it and march in his kitchen. Arthur gets the upper hand when Todd asks him to pose as his grandfather and talk to a guidance councilor when his grades sharply fall. Arthur blackmails Todd to improve his grades or else he'll tell Todd's parents about their son's obsession. Arthur blackmails Todd again when he claims that he has a safe deposit box at a bank that contains a twelve page confession of Arthur and Todd's unique relationship. Things begin to fall apart when Arthur attempts to kill a homeless transient who saw him wearing his SS uniform. During the attempted murder, Arthur has a heart attack and calls Todd for help but locking Todd in the basement with the wounded man. Todd finishes what Arthur started and calls the medics. While in the hospital, Arthur's roommate recognizes Arthur from the War and contacts the police. Arthur's secret is revealed and Todd is able to convince everyone that he never knew who Arthur really was. The final act of blackmail takes place when Todd's guidance councilor threatens to tell the police that Todd does know who Arthur was; Todd is able to turn the tables and make his own threats to take the councilor down with him by telling everyone that the councilor is a pederast.

The Prophecy (1995)

For me, “The Prophecy” is a film of highs and lows and the inability to find a consistent rhythm. I felt teased at how little screen time Eric Stoltz had and what he did during those few moments. His role started out strong but faltered. After he died and Christopher Walken became the focal point, the movie felt ok but had an annoying lack of definition; my main complaint is how did Simon (Eric Stoltz) know that Arnold Hawthorne was the soul that Gabriel (Christopher Walken) needed? But then all of a sudden Lucifer appears (Viggo Mortensen) and gives one of the best “I’m the Devil and this is what I want” speeches that I’ve ever seen. His slow, refined delivery and his complete presence were perfect for that character and moment. In the next scene we see Gaberiel with his new minion Rachel, a scene that seems more comical (although very dark) than trying to keep the suspenseful vibe that just took place. Overall, it’s a fun movie filled with big name stars (or people still coming up), half of which went “Pulp Fiction” to this film.

Ok, is it just me or did Elias Koteas come across as Bill Paxton’s doppelganger in this film? I swear you could have replaced one with the other and no one would have noticed.

“The Prophecy” is all about the angels in Heaven having a second war amongst each other over the idea that God loves humans more than angels because humans have souls. The war is not about over throwing God so I’m not sure what would happen if the angels who feel that they were second place would do if they won; I guess that is covered in one of the many sequels that followed. Anyway, Gaberil wants to find the darkest soul on Earth and recruit it to join his army of unloved angels. Simon, an angel who’s ok being second best, comes to earth and finds the soul and eats it. Simon goes to the town where the evil soul lived and hides it in a young girl. The girl’s teacher and a cop who almost became a priest are left trying to fend off Gabriel and his brought-back-from-the-dead minions.