“Do you read Sutter Cane?”

One of the best movie experience I’ve had in awhile, especially with a horror movie. I can’t think of any other way to get yourself in the right mood for a movie then watching this on Halloween night, in the pitch black, headphones into the laptop, a bag of Skittles, and a cold Dr. Pepper.

Now that’s cinema right there.

‘In the Mouth of Madness’ is a great John Carpenter movie and just like some of his other work, it is very underrated. I honestly don’t understand the mixed reception this movie received. However I guess a mix reception to his movies must be second nature to John Carpenter. Not a flawless movie, but much better than most people make it out to be. A perfect blend of Stephen King and H.P. Lovecraft, mixed into a cocktail of horror.

A horror movie that is both effective and dark, but humorous in a strange way.

I found the movie to be really unnerving and incredibly creepy. It does capture that “fear of the unknown” or the “unexplained”. It simply just exist, even without us even knowing, which that alone is terrifying.

If there ever is a “scream king” then Sam Neil would take that crown. He delivers an excellent performance and carries the whole movie. A very natural and believable performance. He plays John Trent, a sceptic who investigates into the disappearance of horror writer Sutter Cane and any supernatural happenings.

The score is so fantastic, of course with it being from John Carpenter. Just from the very beginning of the movie with the first notes, where John Glovers character phones up the mental hospital transport asking when his patient will be arriving, just those few music notes playing underneath made me want to go back and listen to it with the context of the scene.

Also, the ending is one of the best in horror history.

Overall rating: “Did I ever tell you my favorite color was blue?”

Happy Halloween everyone!

All things considered, Carpenter's absolute peak. He's always shuffled between 3 modes, often within the same movie: campy, spooky, and horrific. But this is the first time he didn't shatter the test tubes. Don't expect a true-to-the-source Lovecraft movie; this one's pure Carpenter. Watch it with the volume LOUD.

"I think, therefore you are."