The Butterfly Effect (2004)

"The Butterfly Effect" is considered to be Ashton Kutcher first non-comedic role and he does a wonderful job of not being funny. "The Butterfly Effect" is more science-fiction than horror but it is 100 percent a thrilling psychological trip. The subject matter, especially the events that take place during the main characters youth are dark and disturbing, which keep the movie serious and thoroughly grounded. Even though the film was panned by critics, it was still considered to be a box office success and proved to the masses that Kutcher was able to carry a film that wasn't a comedy. The film co-stars Amy Smart, an actor who has also been primarily seen in romantic comedies. Eric Stoltz has a small role as well, revisiting the horror genre after appearing "The Fly 2" and dark films like "Killing Zoe".

The film follows Evan Treborn (Ashton Kutcher) and several key events in his life that he has no memory of. To try to overcome his blackouts, Evan begins keeping a journal to help him remember. The events are traumatic and effect everyone involved including Evan, and his friends Lenny, Kayleigh, and her violent brother Tommy. The events include Evan's father trying to kill him when he comes to visit at a mental institution, a prank that kills an innocent mother and her infant, and even darker moments. Evan ends up moving away with his mom and grows up to be a successful college student. By accident, Evan discovers that he can go back in time, retaining his all of his knowledge, and change the events that occurred when he read from his old journals. This is a trait that both his father and grandfather had; it's also why they were both eventually deemed crazy by those around them. Having noble intentions of saving Kayleigh from the grief of their shared childhood, Even goes back in time and tries to adjust the events so that they wouldn't have a traumatic outcome. Unfortunately, every attempt ends in more tragedy and every time he tries to adjust the past, his brain hemorrhages more and more until he's at death's door....

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.