Warlock (1989): Surprisingly Effective Cheese, or Am I Just Losing It?

Okay, so I finally got around to watching "Warlock" (1989). I went in expecting complete garbage, the kind of thing that's only good for drunken riffing. And... well, it is cheesy. Hugely so. But I'll be damned if it didn't kind of work? Julian Sands is genuinely creepy as the Warlock, that icy stare can sell a lot, even when he's eating rendered human fat (yeah, that happened). The plot is utterly ridiculous, of course – a time-traveling warlock hunting for the Grand Grimoire to unmake creation. Seriously, who comes up with this stuff? And Lori Singer's character, Kassandra, is basically there to scream and be helpless, which is a bit grating by today's standards, but I guess it was the 80s. What surprised me was the world-building, as basic as it is. The rules about holy ground affecting the Warlock felt consistent, and Redferne (Richard E. Grant) actually feels like a determined, resourceful witch hunter, even if he's completely out of his depth in modern-day LA. Plus, some of the practical effects are pretty gruesome and effective. The bit with the aging rapidly in the sunlight? Yikes. The pacing is a little uneven, I think the middle act sort of sags slightly while they're driving around, but the ending is enjoyably bonkers. There's a scene where the Warlock has to pronounce his name backwards to gain power. Sands just nails the pronunciation of "Kcolraw" (Warlock backwards). It's completely absurd, yet delivered with such sinister conviction that it actually works. It's moments like that where the movie transcends its inherent silliness. And I really like that they show even little things can harm him, like a kid's cross necklace. It feels like they put some thought into the lore. Look, I'm not saying it's a good movie in the traditional sense. But it's a memorable movie. It's got a weird, unsettling atmosphere, a committed performance by Sands, and enough gonzo moments to keep you entertained. I went in expecting to hate it, and I came out... strangely charmed? Maybe it's just the nostalgia talking, or maybe I've finally succumbed to cinematic madness. Either way, I'd recommend it with a hefty dose of caveats. Don't expect Bergman, but do expect some delightfully trashy dark fantasy.