Search - Witchmaster General on DVD

Hugely Entertaining

Cave Damman | The Northeast | 08/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jim Haggerty's Witchmaster General is a hugely entertaining film from the writer-director of The Slasher, I Dream of Dracula, and Grave Danger. As with his previous films, Haggerty creates a satisfying blend of horror and comedy with witty dialogue and, yes, pleasant images of the female form. Witchmaster focuses on evil witch doctor-for-hire Phineas Gorgon, who will grant his "customers" their darkest wishes but will extract a considerable price for doing so. The movie features a street-smart detective (well-played by Vic Martino, who previously starred on The Sopranos) and an eccentric medical examiner who join forces to try and stop Gorgon's diabolical reign of terror. While the acting is strong throughout, the standout performance belongs to LA Guns singer Phil Lewis as Dr. Gorgon, a case of truly inspired casting. Lewis's Gorgon is a charismatic villain whom the viewer is simultaneously drawn to and terrified of, making him, perhaps, Haggerty's most interesting character. Haggerty is an adept filmmaker and storyteller, and he clearly is in command of his material and keeps Witchmaster well-paced and unpredictable, cleverly avoiding standard horror-movie cliches.

I highly recommend this very entertaining movie. Don't miss it!



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Phil Lewis shows 'No Mercy' in Witchmaster General!!!

Dollywood Vampire | Tulsa, OK | 08/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anyone that knows me knows that there are 2 things I love - schlocky B-movies and 80's metal. So when I learned that Phil Lewis - the original and BEST singer from 80's glam metal icons L.A. Guns was in a crazy low-budget B-movie...let's just say I got that 'special feeling'.

Phil is this weirdo witchdoctor who uses ordinary looking toys and trinkets to control people's destiny and put curses on them. It's all very tounge in cheek in an old haunted house sort of way, but this movie certainly has one or two creepy moments (the drowning scene stuck with me).

And hot on the trail is a cop played by Vic Marino of 'The Sopranos'. I never really watched 'The Sopranos' but this guy was great. He had enough snappy one-liners to keep me laughing throughout. And he's surrounded by some really hot babes - most notably the GREAT Suzi Lorraine who is always good in everything and Colleen Marie who's a Playboy Playmate. Colleen is really good too - I was kind of expecting the ditzy blonde bimbo but she has a real cool presence and she's a spunky brunette.

I have to say most of my interest was in Phil, but even without Phil I would have enjoyed it. And to prove that point I got the second movie these folks made (without Phil) which is called "Grave Danger" and I liked that too. It has a lot of the same people and the same writer/director (Jim Hagerty). Both movies are fun and are good as a Friday night double feature.

The only real drawback is I thought there would be some music from Phil or L.A. Guns on the soundtrack, but I guess Phil was trying to distance himself from the music stuff since it was his first movie.

This has been available for awhile (and actually cheaper) at the Yellow Ape website but I guess now it's being officially released. Don't know if there will be any new extras on this one. The disc I have has some funny bloopers and interviews and stuff and is pretty nice (some Hollywood movies don't even give you any extras).

Overall, thumbs up all around. I say Phil in "Witchmaster General" is worthy of other great rock star horror B-movies like Alice Cooper in "Monster Dog," Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons in "Trick or Treat," Carmine Appice in "Black Roses" and - dare I say - "KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park"!"