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WITCHOUSE 2
Directed and Edited by J.R. Bookwalter
Produced by Vlad Paunescu and Gary Schmoeller
Written by Douglass Snauffer
Director of Photography - Gabriel KosuthLilith Lefay/Professor Sparrow -Ariauna Albright
Stephanie-Elizabeth Hobgood
Norman-Nicholas Lanier
Angus-Andrew PineIt's been a while since J.R. Bookwalter left his post as editor of Alternative Cinema magazine. During his tenure he was able to bring to light many amateur and underground filmmakers that wouldn't necessarily have had any other avenue for publicity. Along the way he made numerous friends and even a few enemies. A few years ago he sold the magazine and went to California in hopes of landing a Hollywood directing job. After numerous editing assignments for Full Moon Pictures, J.R. finally won the chance to direct a feature for the studio. Not only is WITCHOUSE 2: BLOOD COVEN J.R.'s first 35 mm Hollywood film, it is one of Full Moon Pictures first extra-loaded, "Lunar Edition" DVDs.
While WITCHOUSE 2 covers the same "kids in the castle" ground that has plagued many of the Full Moon films these last few years, it is still levels above recent Full Moon efforts such as SHRIEKER or TALISMAN, two films lacking in both the plot and style departments. Bookwalter moves the story along at a brisk pace. He also seems to like mixing techniques, switching back and forth between a traditional narrative filmmaking style to the fau cinema verita style popular in recent films.
According to the movie's background information, other than the fact that Ariauna Albright is again playing a witch named Lilith hunting down a group of teenagers, this movie has no connection to the first WITCHOUSE. Lilith Lefay, executed centuries back along with her coven, is reborn and plans revenge on the descendants of those that slew her.
Ariauna Albright performs triple duty on this picture playing three distinct roles: Lilith, Professor Sparrow, and a young woman appearing in a Scream-like opening sequence. In the past I've gone on record saying that Ms. Albright could use a little work to hone her acting ability. I thought her work was very hit and miss. She did a fine job opposite James Edwards in BLOODLETTING, but she could of used a few more takes when she was again opposite Edwards in Bookwalter's POLYMORPH. In WITCHOUSE 2, all of her characters are wholly unique unto themselves in terms of both manners and expressions. This is no easy feet for any actor to accomplish. Usually the characters start to blur and overlap. I doubt that Albright will someday be the female equivalent to Eddie Murphy or Peter Sellers, but she proves she can carry a film with the best of them.
Bookwalter personally oversaw production of the DVD release. There are more extras present then there is movie. The disc easily fills more than three hours with three featurette documentaries, two music videos, trailers for Tempe and Full Moon films, photo gallery, bloopers, outtakes, and a DVD ROM version of the script. The commentary with Bookwalter, Albright, and Andrew Pine, is more conversational and anecdotal than informative. It feels like your ease dropping on a group of old friends as they have a good laugh.
It looks as if J.R. Bookwalter will have a long career ahead of him directing features. He was once at the forefront of micro-budget productions and now, along with filmmakers like Dave Parker, looks like he's ready to bring a new level of quality to Full Moon Pictures. WITCHOUSE 2 is well worth the money, Check it out.
You can order the film directly from Full Moon Pictures.