Rijndri Load of rubbish!!

Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Lee Eisenberg If ever there were a textbook definition of lovable weirdness, Martin Campbell's Emmy-winning "Cast a Deadly Spell" is it. This HBO movie casts Fred Ward as a private eye in 1948 LA, where everyone except him uses magic. Humans live among the ghouls and goblins, but the theft of the Necronomicon sets the plot in motion.Much of the movie is a reference to H.P. Lovecraft. Ward's character has that name, the Necronomicon (also used in the Evil Dead franchise) is from his works, and there's even a place called Dunwich.* But more than anything, it's funny to see everyone act so unfazed by the presence of things that are supposed to scare people in movies. Just a fun movie.Martin Campbell went on to direct "Goldeneye", "Casino Royale" and the Zorro movies. Julianne Moore of course went on to renown in the years after this movie."I hate full moons!"*"The Dunwich Horror" got made into a movie starring Sandra Dee, Dean Stockwell and Talia Shire. That's got to be the unlikeliest cast for a horror flick.

Man99204 This is a visually stunning movie. The look of 1940s Los Angeles is beautifully captured. Also stunning is a very young Julianne Moore in an early role.The writing is a notch or two better than is common in this genre. The superb supporting cast has some wonderful Noir-ish "Snappy retorts".The only flaw in this movie are the incredibly BAD BAD BAD not so special effect. They detract from any otherwise enjoyable movie. Yes, there are viable wires the hellish critters dangle off of. Yes, the "gremlins" are stolen directly from the movie of the same name. (And add absolutely NOTHING to the overall movie). The quality and complexity of the special effects were cutting edge in 1955. Unfortunately this movie was filmed in 1991.The last ten minutes of the movie are very disappointing. The film speeds along for what you assume is a magnificent resolution. When the end finally comes, it is more with an anticlimactic whimper before it fizzles out.Over all movie rates an 8. Special Effects rate a TWO.

LexaSuperStar What inspired this particular story/genre treatment? I've seen since a few other stabs at the same type of story, but few (if any) can reach your achievement. Did you have much say in the overall production? If not Fred Ward, then who would've been your first choice to play Lovecraft? Connie? Borden? In any case, I just wanted to reiterate how much a fan of "Cast A Deadly Spell" I am. It was one of those pictures that stick out in my mind as a grade-A classic. Great movie . Fred really funny in this role . Unique movie ever. Can some one tall me similar movie ... I don't think so. In so small Someone have the subtitles for this movie ? Really need one . Because in Ukraine I cant buy this movie .

Infofreak On paper this made for TV movie should stink. But it doesn't. A hugely entertaining blend of Film Noir, horror and comedy, 'Cast A Deadly Spell' is great fun. The movie is set in an alternate 1940s America full of witches, zombies, vampires and werewolves where everybody uses magic. Everybody that is except gumshoe H.P. Lovecraft (Fred Ward - 'Tremors', 'Henry And June', 'Miami Blues'). Ward was born to play this role, and his performance helps make this one a sheer delight. The supporting cast is also well above average, and includes cult favourite David Warner ('Straw Dogs', 'Time After Time) as a client who hires Lovecraft to get back a rare book stolen from his collection (yup, you guessed it, the Necronomicon!), Julianne Moore ('Safe', 'Boogie Nights') as a sexy nightclub chanteuse, Clancy Brown ('Buckaroo Banzai', 'The Highlander') as an ex-cop turned gangster, and 'The Thing's Charles Hallahan as a straight-shooting detective. I usually don't care for movies that mix horror and comedy, but this one really does it well, and the affectionate Noir touches make it incredibly enjoyable. Unfortunately the sequel ('Witch Hunt'), which has Dennis Hopper playing Lovecraft instead of Ward, is a huge disappointment, despite being directed by Paul Schrader of all people! 'Cast A Deadly Spell' is a highly recommended good time, especially if you are a fan of 1940s detective fiction/movies and Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. I loved it!