Modern Classic

Rating: 10/10 (31 October 2015)

I was disappointed when I learned this movie did so poorly at the box office. It certainly had nothing to do with the movie. I can't think of anything I'd change about it. Which I can only say about maybe a few dozen movies, and I've seen at least 500 if not more.
Depp and Graham both nail the accents at least from an American's perspective, no keanu reeve Dracula gaffs here, and we actually care about the characters which is refreshing in a who-done-it where the tendency is to let your characters serve as simplistic symbols.
The production design should have won an Oscar, and the scoring likewise was splendid. I couldn't believe the hughes brothers directed this, Dead presidents was at best a tepid experience, Menace to Society better but still basically just an above average genre pic. This on the other hand is a classic, better than anything spike lee or singleton ever even thought about making. Their use of hip hop montage against the backdrop of a history piece was truly genius.
Of all the mystery horror films I've seen from hell is tied with Jaws for number 1 in visual innovation and ranks in the top 5 over all. A definite must see