Welcome to Los Angeles 1948, a time when EVERYONE used magic (but everyone from that time apparently neglected to mention that to the later generations). Meet Detective HP Lovecraft, possibly the only person in this fucked up period that doesn't use even the slightest mystic trickery. Oh yeah, no one likes the poor sap's tie either (always an important plot angle). Lovecraft is hired by a rich widower to protect the "purity" of his daughter, as well as find the fabled Necronomicon! Amongst a truck load o' intrigue, deception, crossdressing, and an "Old One" emerging from a Gazebo, Lovecraft ends up with one VERY dead client and becoming the savior of existence itself! This leaves Lovecraft (a boozer I may add) in possession of the most powerful and demonic grimoire (that means "magic book") in history! What really makes this movie good wasn't the story (what-so-ever), but the little touches! It gives you a feel of a "Dungeons & Dragons" version of L.A. CONFIDENTIAL ! For example(s): gremlins from Europe; an impressive gargoyle (who gets wailed in the cajones); a rain of blood; a paper cut massacre; and the idea of zombies being sold, "like Bonbons", all make for a 90 minute slice of fun for THIS deity of death! One last tip, next time you find a fly in your soup, just be thankful it's not a lesser demon in your chili!

Sequels: WITCH HUNT

If You Liked This Flick, Check Out: NAKED LUNCH or NECRONOMICON: BOOK OF THE DEAD